Be careful what you say to your children. They remember. They learn. And sometimes they hold a grudge.
Example: writer / director Quentin Tarantino. For decades, Tarantino has been one of the most acclaimed and successful writers in all of Hollywood. He won millions and millions of dollars. And he never shared anything with his mother. Why? Because when he was very little she said mean things about his handwriting, and he never forgot.
Tarantino recently described the incident on The Moment podcast. He claimed that for years he was known as the “stupid kid” in school. Things started to change for him around the age of 13 when he started writing his very first scripts. But her mother continued to give her “hard times” and her “no academic ability”. Here’s how Tarantino described the incident …
In the middle of her little tirade, she said, ‘Oh, and by the way, that little’ writing career ‘- with the quotes on your pinky – that little’ writing career ‘you have? It’s finish.
Tarantino claimed that when she told him that at the time he was like, “Okay, ma’am, when I become a successful writer, you will never see a dime of my success. He won’t. “There won’t be a home for you. There’s no vacation for you. No Elvis Cadillac for mom. You don’t get anything. Because you said that.”
According to Tarantino, he also kept his word. He said he “helped her with a jam with the IRS,” but to date he has never bought her a house or a fancy car. Let this be a lesson for all parents: cultivate your child’s gifts. Or else.
Tarantino’s first novel, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, is out now. Do you think he gave a signed copy to his mother? You can listen to Tarantino’s appearance on The Moment below:
