James Baquet

    We know that Benjamin Franklin said today's proverb, "Fish and visitors smell after three days." But it's not clear whether he was the first to say it.

    Anyway, as a fish's body begins to smell bad after a few days, so we enjoy visitors at first, but after the excitement is over, it can be a burden to have them around.

    Let's see how this might happen.

    James sees his student, a boy named Jay, dozing in the library.

    James: Hi, Jay. Getting your beauty sleep?

    Jay: Oh, hi, James. Yeah, some friends are visiting from back home, and we've been staying up late.

    James: Company, huh? A mixed blessing.

    Jay: Yeah, it was fun for the first few days, but it's been a week now.

    James: You know what Ben Franklin said about that, right?

    Jay: No…

    James: "Fish and visitors smell after three days."

    Jay: Whoa! Old Ben got that right! So what should I do?

    James: Pardon?

    Jay: How can I deal with it? Should I kick them out?

    James: You don't have to go that far. But you could try setting some boundaries.

    Jay: Such as?

    James: For example, tell them that on school nights, you need to stick to a bed time.

    Jay: That's reasonable.

    James: And if their coming in late bothers you, set a curfew.

    Jay: Not a bad idea, but that will definitely be tougher.

    James: Well, you know them best. Do what you think you can. But no matter how close they are, you really need to look out for Number One.

    Jay: They'll probably get that.

    James: Probably. If not, show them the door!

    Jay: Thanks, James.

    Notes on the dialogue:

    — One's beauty sleep: It's said that one "beauty secret" is to get enough sleep. Certainly LACK of sleep can leave us all looking less beautiful!

    — A mixed blessing: Something that is both good and bad.

    — Old Ben: A joking, familiar way to refer to the respected American forefather Benjamin Franklin.

    — Got that right: A slang-y way to agree.

    — To deal with something: To take care of something.

    — To kick someone out: To ask someone to leave, usually against his or her will.

    — To go that far: To take extreme action, to do something unpleasant to take care of a problem.

    — To set boundaries: To make it clear what one needs, and ask the other to follow one's wishes.

    — School nights: Nights before one goes to school (usually Sunday through Thursday).

    — To stick to something: To continue to do something.

    — A curfew: A set time to be home (and, perhaps, in bed).

    — To be "close:" To have a close relationship, and a good understanding of each other.

    — Number One: Oneself, the "most important person."

    — Show someone the door: Ask someone to leave.