The 1960s were a wild time to be a kid. Seatbelts were optional, sugar was a food group, and parents had a unique brand of wisdom that was more superstition than science. Still, those offbeat one-liners stuck in our heads—and shaped us in ways we’re only now starting to unpack.
From questionable health tips to bizarre life lessons, these strange pieces of advice were handed down with total confidence. Some were oddly comforting, some downright cringe, and a few still echo in our minds every time we leave the house without a jacket. If you grew up hearing these, you know exactly what we mean.
1. “Don’t Sit On Cold Concrete You’ll Get Piles”
This one was delivered like gospel truth, usually barked from the back door while we were trying to eat popsicles on the curb. It didn’t matter that no doctor ever confirmed it—cold concrete was apparently the gateway to lifelong medical misery. We were terrified of park benches for years.
Looking back, it was more old wives tale than fact, according to this article in the BBC, but it definitely kept us from getting too comfortable outside. The real issue was probably dirt, not disease. Still, you’ll catch a lot of us hesitating before sitting on anything colder than 68 degrees.
2. “Cracking Your Knuckles Will Give You Arthritis”
Every time we cracked a knuckle, someone dramatically winced like we were dislocating a joint. This was always followed by a horror story about a distant aunt who could barely move her hands by 40. The subtext? Your future is brittle if you don’t behave.
Spoiler: the science never backed it up. But the guilt trip worked for a while. Even now, some of us feel a twinge of parental judgment every time our fingers pop.
3. “Gum Will Stay In Your Stomach For Seven Years If You Swallow It”
The seven-year myth was wielded with absolute authority, as if gum was some kind of body-invading plastic parasite. One accidental swallow and you were basically carrying a time bomb in your gut. No one questioned it—we just panicked and tried to chew with surgeon-level precision.
According to the health experts at The Mayo Clinic, gum passes through like anything else. But the fear was real, and it kept us paranoid well into adolescence. Swallowing gum felt like a criminal offense in the lunchroom.
4. “Don’t Cross Your Eyes They’ll Stay That Way”
Make a goofy face too long, and you were told it might freeze forever. Crossed eyes, scrunched noses, or anything vaguely unattractive was framed as a cautionary tale waiting to happen. It turned a silly moment into a lifelong threat.
As kids, we believed the risk was real. Who wanted to get stuck like that for the rest of their life? Humor was welcome—but only in small, safe doses.
5. “Eat Your Crusts It’ll Make Your Hair Curly”
This one was both bizarre and oddly specific. Pizza and sandwich crusts were follicle enhancers, and rejecting them meant straight hair forever according to the old wives tales published in HuffPost. We weren’t sure whether that was a promise or a threat.
The science was nonexistent, but the manipulation was real. If you wanted curls—or if your mom wanted you to want curls—you had to finish every last bite. A weird form of vanity-based nutrition.
6. “You’re Not Really Hurt If There’s No Blood”
Skinned knees, bruised elbows, and hurt feelings didn’t count unless something was visibly leaking. This wasn’t medical advice—it was emotional conditioning. If you couldn’t prove it, you weren’t allowed to feel it.
It taught a generation to tough things out instead of talk them out. Pain became performative. And for better or worse, we learned early to suck it up.
7. “Close the Fridge, You’ll Let The Cold Out”
Standing in front of the fridge for more than three seconds was treated like a federal offense. “You’re letting all the cold out!” was a common refrain, usually delivered with exaggerated horror. We imagined the electric bill skyrocketing every time we stared at leftovers too long.
Today’s fridges are basically airtight smart devices, but back then, the fear of “wasting cold” was intense. It wasn’t about food—it was about discipline. Even snacks came with rules.
8. “You Can’t Swim For An Hour After Food Or You’ll Cramp And Die”
This one was so widespread it felt like scientific law. One bite of a sandwich and suddenly the pool was a death trap. We were told we’d cramp, sink, and never surface again—another debunked myth as revealed by Duke Health.
Turns out, mild cramping is possible, but drowning? Not so much. Still, we sat on the pool deck watching the clock like it was counting down to survival. Water safety was rooted in stomach paranoia.
9. “You Can’t Go Outside With Wet Hair You’ll Catch Pneumonia”
Every kid who tried to leave the house post-shower heard this one on repeat. Wet hair in winter was treated like a health emergency. Forget hats or coats—that hair was the real problem.
Cold air doesn’t cause pneumonia, but that didn’t stop the lectures. It was less about germs and more about controlling chaos. And honestly, the guilt still echoes on rainy days.
10. “Because I Said So” (End of Discussion)
This wasn’t advice—it was the ultimate shutdown. You asked why, and the conversation stopped cold. No logic. No negotiation. Just parental authority in four words or less.
It was frustrating at the time, but also weirdly final. It taught us that adult reasoning wasn’t always required. Today, it’s a phrase we swore we’d never use—until we did.
11. “Don’t Touch Frogs Or You’ll Get Warts”
Every summer adventure came with a side of amphibian anxiety. Frogs were fun… until someone brought up the wart myth. One touch, and we were told our hands would sprout bumps overnight.
Science says otherwise—warts come from viruses, not pond creatures. But the warning stuck. Frogs became cautionary tales in webbed disguise.
12. “Wear Socks Or You’ll Get Sick”
This was the go-to argument for every bare foot, flip-flop, or forgotten sock situation. Apparently, exposed ankles were a direct line to upper respiratory doom. No shoes meant no immunity.
Of course, colds come from viruses, not cold feet. But this myth had staying power. Some of us still carry extra socks… just in case.
13. “Don’t Talk Back It’s Disrespectful”
Questioning anything, even politely, was labeled as “talking back.” Tone didn’t matter—just the act of pushing back made you a threat. Respect wasn’t earned, it was demanded.
It taught us to swallow thoughts before speaking. To equate disagreement with defiance. And while it kept the peace, it didn’t always teach us how to use our voices safely.
