In this video clip from an old episode of Jenny Jones a pre-teen boot camp drill sergeant is taught a valuable lesson about scaring a kid straight: your intimidating rhetorical question might be perceived in a different light by a young kid. In other words, someone can call your bluff when you didn’t even realize you were all in…
And just in case you can’t watch Youtube clips, here’s a transcript with the loud drill sergeant blustering in all caps:
YOU LOVE THAT WOMAN RIGHT THERE? [Pointing at the boy’s mother] YOU LOVE HER RIGHT?
[Boy nods yes]
YES SIR?
Yes sir.
NOW, YOU’RE NOT AN ADULT UNTIL YOU’RE 18. DO YOU WANT ME TO BE YOUR DADDY FOR THE NEXT YEARS SON? HUH?!?
Yes.
YOU DO?!?
[Boy nods yes]
[pauses] Why do you want me to be your daddy?
I have no daddy.
You have no daddy? Well let me tell you something. Come here. Give me a hug.
(Yes, this is an older clip, but I had never seen it before and it really kind of blew my mind so I thought I would share it.)
