The first thing that came to mind was What the F? Just being honest.
This reminds me of a friend in Japan who also taught English at the same school, but in a different city. We went through teacher training together before we were sent off to our respective schools.
Part of our training was to start each class with a warm up. Maybe something interesting or interactive. The purpose was to get the class loosened up and relaxed before the lesson. We met for drinks one weekend and he was describing his warm up lesson on the versatility of the F word. I thought, What the F? As he explained, it could be a noun, a verb, an adjective, an adverb. It can be used as an exclamation or a modifier to add emphasis. It can be angry, loving, show surprise or relief. You name an emotion, it’ll express it. F me. F you. F him. F her. F them. There are plenty of Fs to go around for everybody.
He continued on and on about his lesson, arms flying, describing it with great joy and enthusiasm. I was highly amused. I was curious, though, about how his class reacted. Well, that was a slightly different story. Complete silence. My guess is they were in shock. I mean, who wouldn’t be. After a long day at work, you come to class to learn a few English phrases and walk into a classroom where a crazy foreigner is throwing out F bombs. At the very least, he had a good time teaching it and I got to hear a funny story over drinks. I enjoyed his story and enthusiasm so much, gladly the next round was on me.
The Police released Don’t Stand So Close to Me in 1980. Sting’s backward song writing method is pretty interesting.
This song is about a teacher who lusts after one of his students. Sting was a teacher before joining The Police, and was no doubt the subject of young girl fantasy, but he insists the lyric is not based on personal experience.
This is an example of Sting’s “work backward” method. “I pluck a title from the air, just free-associating, and then try to figure out a story that it could apply to,” he wrote in Lyrics By Sting.
– Songfacts
Part of me thinks my friend was just looking for a good excuse to throw in an F bomb into a lesson to get a reaction. He used Sting’s backward method for his lesson plan. Then again, he was a hippyish attorney from Berkeley and you never really were sure what was floating through his mind. Either way, I’m sure he left an indelible impression on his students and I had a good time hearing about it.
–
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Young teacher, the subject of schoolgirl fantasy
She wants him so badly, knows what she wants to be
Inside her there's longing, this girl's an open page
Bookmarking, she's so close now
This girl is half his age
Don't stand, don't stand so
Don't stand so close to me
Don't stand, don't stand so
Don't stand so close to me
Her friends are so jealous
You know how bad girls get
Sometimes it's not so easy to be the teacher's pet
Temptation, frustration so bad it makes him cry
Wet bus stop, she's waiting his car is warm and dry
Don't stand, don't stand so
Don't stand so close to me
Don't stand, don't stand so
Don't stand so close to me
Loose talk in the classroom to hurt they try and try
Strong words in the staffroom the accusations fly
It's no use, he sees her he starts to shake and cough
Just like the old man in that book by Nabokov
Don't stand, don't stand so
Don't stand so close to me
Don't stand, don't stand so
Don't stand so close to me
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, oh
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, oh
(Please don't stand so close to me)
Don't stand, don't stand so
Don't stand so close to me
(Please don't stand so close to me)
Don't stand, don't stand so
Don't stand so close to me
(Please don't stand so close to me)
Don't stand, don't stand so
Don't stand so close to me
(Please don't stand so close to me)
Don't stand, don't stand so
Don't stand so close to me
(Please don't stand so close to me)
Don't stand, don't stand so
Don't stand so close to me
(Please don't stand so close to me)
Don't stand, don't stand so
Don't stand so close to me
MyGenXerLife 
Great story!
My mind often goes straight to wtf
Age maybe.
nice knowing it was maybe not a completely autobiographical song…
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I tend to use wtf often, too. I agree… age!
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This made me larf! Sometimes I feel like throwing f-bombs too but I was told such foul things should not come out of a lady’s mouth!
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I use the f bomb way more in my head than anything else. Occasionally, a few sneak out!
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Haha…I like your friend! I wish he was my ESL teacher! Never miss a class I promise! 😂
I usually don’t curse at work. Last week, we had a meeting and during conversation I replied “What the F!”
The room went silent! I was not in trouble though! They knew I was right! 🤭
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That’s a great story!
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It’s interesting the way that the power of curse words is relative to their culture they’re being used in. F-bombs are one of the. If goes in America; but in England, it’s more frequently used and doesn’t carry the same impact.
I think there’s something to be said about teaching people everyday, practical language. But it sound alike this guy was just going for shock value.
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I think so. He actually was pretty mild mannered. I also think he was teaching a cultural aspect that is so different from Japan. But still…
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Interesting about Sting and how he writes. Your friend sounds like a nut! Or maybe a bit of an “embellisher.” I’m guilty of that sometimes—especially when drinking. Fun memory. Thanks for sharing.
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He was a pretty unique guy. I’ve lost touch with him over these past 20+ years. I hope our paths cross again.
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I still love this song even with the weird undertones.
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It’s a good song, I agree.
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My favourite curse word, lol.
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It’s a good one for many occasions!
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One of my favorites. I’m guilty of dropping the F bomb quite frequently, but it depends on the company I’m keeping. I certainly try to keep myself in check around people who don’t curse.
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Hahaha… yes. I bet one slips out every now and then!
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We’ll go with every now and then. That sounds good.😄
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Hahaha! Thanks! You gave me a GOOD laugh just now. I appreciate it!
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😂 I’m glad to help anytime!
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That was one of the few “English” words everyone knew, even if they didn’t know any other English at all, when I lived in Costa Rica. 🤣
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Universal!!
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This song is notable for including a reference to “that book by Nabokov”, which of course is Lolita, #8 on my personal list of best books ever. Thanks for reminding me of that great story!
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An amusing story! It would sure be interesting to be a “fly on the wall” as the students started using their newly-learned words and phrases among friends and co-workers!
Definitely one of the darker songs of the Police; I think the shock value was part of the appeal for some.
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When I first heard of the police, I liked it but didn’t love it. Well, with the exception of Roxanne. But then I listened to Sting’s solo stuff and that made me revisit the police and discovered I appreciated it more. Maybe my music tastes changed in just a few years, who knows.
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I often find that going back to music I passed over back in the day, I might find something in it that I like now. That’s happened a lot lately.
I remember being so taken with “Roxanne.” Such a powerful song for its time and really made the Police a household name overnight.
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That’s my favorite from them. Their music was so unique. I’m having difficulty thinking of a band that has a similar sound
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Yeah, I can’t really think of anyone either. I remember thinking at the time how unique it was to have a trio as a band when other groups had near ten on stage sometimes.
I’ve really enjoyed Sting’s solo stuff, too. Great voice and songwriting chops.
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Me, too. He really is talented!
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Love just about any song by The Police!
Your story is hilarious! Reminds me of my 7th grade English teacher who used music by the Rolling Stones to teach us prepositions. We had to get a permission slip signed by our parents because of some questionable lyrics. 😁
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That’s a great story. I imagine it made learning more interesting!
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Yes! She was the cool teacher.
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