For some reason, as I grow into an older Dad, I seem to whistle a lot. I think this is a good sign. Possibly a sign of good mental health too. I’ve always associated whistling a tune with a ‘happier’ persona.
Funnily enough, some people associate whistling with 'an empty head'. Oops, not great for me - I'm sure my secondary school teachers will be nodding now! I'd rather listen to those who consider it more cerebral and scientifically proven to be valuable for stimulating the brain and an aid to cognitive activity - GENIUS - that's more like it.
However, not normally being one to complain... On this occasion I am going to have a quick whinge. Whistling is not a particularly bad thing on the face of it. I would actually consider this as a fairly tame habit to have picked up. I could have far worse habits such as many unpleasant things, unmentionable on here or play a sport all the time, drink too much, swear too much etc. Or snoring… Oh, I actually do that too and quite loud it can be! - Let’s skip over that bit! So when my family especially the kids give me such a hard time for a little whistling, I feel a bit hard done by!!
Sadly, I get no support from my wife who hates my whistling too. She thinks I could appear on 'One Man and His Dog' without the need of a Shepherds Lip Whistle! Her comments include “you don’t even know you are doing it, do you?” Or “err you’re doing it again” and the most common of all “your whistling is going to drive us crazy”.
As for what the children say, they tend to simply shout “Mum, can you tell Dad to stop whistling” or “Dad, please stop whistling in such a high pitch”. I do try to respond by whistling more quietly but I’m not very good at that. Whistling needs to be blasted out full pelt! In other words, my whistling is not a quiet little old whistle you might expect to hear elegantly used in scenes such as those in the 1952 Singing in the Rain musical. No, much more ear piercing like the 1991 Scorpions track, Wind of Change but really belted out at full power with that 'flat whistle' style - making it extra loud too!!
The strange thing is, I whistle the most random tunes... like Reet Petite by Jackie Wilson. This is a great classic but why do I randomly whistle it, without hearing it first to sort of ‘start me off’. Another one I’ve been whistling is Que Sera Sera - what!! How bonkers is that, maybe something to do with multiple lockdowns! Obviously you end up singing the very last bit like every football club’s FA Cup chant “We’re going to Wembley, que sera sera…” or worse still, the 1980's Birdseye advert finishing off with "We hope it's chips, it's chips, que sera sera". Clearly the kids look at you as though you have totally lost it saying "you hope what is chips?".
Apparently, humans are better at whistling than singing. I think everyone in this household should think themselves lucky - imagine if I started to sing all the time instead!!
There is such a thing as Misophonia which is a serious disorder in which a loud or particular sound can cause an extreme reaction (not nice for those who suffer). It is thought that about 15% of adults may have some element of this - fascinating. The sad thing is, I think I may be the culprit in this house - it’s also more common in women - I guess, an apology should go to my wife!!! Let’s just say I’ve caused Whistleaphobia!!
Anyway, here’s to all those little annoying habits we’ve all picked up along the way. I would simply say that’s why the wedding vows say “for better, for worse, for whistler, for snorer" (or was it "for richer, for poorer" - I must get my hearing checked!!).
All the best everyone and have a great weekend.
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