Wisdom of the Day 46: Si tienes rabo de paja, aléjate de la candela

Question

Buenos Días familia,

Back again with another Wisdom of the Day for y'all. So, for those who don't know, in this thread, we will discuss the proverb or expression, your understanding, and its translation. Some offer phrases that serve as synonyms, THAT'S GREAT! As well, pictures are always welcome! Your participation is what makes this fun and keeps the learning locomotive running.

"Si tienes rabo de paja, aléjate de la candela."

If you are brave, don't google for it, just try to guess or to find out using the dictionary what it might mean. We have many great resources to use with this that will really help you accelerate your learning. Let's see how you do, and no natives!!! (por favor)

Are you kidding? This strikes me more as bullying than wisdowm. :-P - Gekkosan, Apr 5, 2011

Google translate has one of the most nonsensicle ideas for this I've read :D Even worse than my interpretation! - rabbitwho, Apr 5, 2011

Jaja, well it's the Spanish equivalent for something very commonly said, which I would describe as tough love more than wisdom. Lol... I'll PM you. - DJ_Huero, Apr 5, 2011

What is wisdowm? Have I mussed simthung? - ray76, Apr 5, 2011

Wording changed to make more possible. ;-) - DJ_Huero, Apr 5, 2011

@Ray "simthung" surely you mean "sumfing" :) - ian-hill, Apr 5, 2011

Answer 1

If you can't take the heat, get out of the kitchen!

¡Orale pues! - DJ_Huero, Apr 5, 2011

Answer 2

Si tienes rabo de paja, aléjate de la candela How about.....

You're such a clever girl! :-) - Gekkosan, Apr 5, 2011

Only one (all caps!) in your closet, Marg?? jeje - cristalino, Apr 5, 2011

Answer 3

Man walk on road. Walk left side – safe. Walk right side – safe. Walk down middle – sooner or later, get squished just like grape. Same here. You karate do “yes,” or karate do “no.” You karate do “guess so,” squish just like grape.

Bien dicho amigo... - DJ_Huero, Apr 5, 2011

Nice one, Sensei :) - cristalino, Apr 5, 2011

: ) - margaretbl, Apr 5, 2011

Answer 4

Get out of the way! Move it!

Good translation - DJ_Huero, Apr 5, 2011

Answer 5

Not sure which one you want DJ

If it is this one

Si tienes rabo de paja, aléjate de la candela

Then

If you are in a hole stop digging.

bien dicho amigo - DJ_Huero, Apr 5, 2011

Answer 6

Yes, get away from the midst. maybe it means not to be always in the centre of things that are not your buisness

Answer 7

I am leaning toward Pesta but with a little twist

Get out of the middle ,make a choice, you cannot please everyone.

Answer 8

I was thinking along the lines of Pesta with the fence-sitting and Lorenzo with 'trying to stay in the middle of the road' - both implying indecision and equivocation, wavering between two camps as it were... but now I'm leaning toward "evitando el calor!"

=) - DJ_Huero, Apr 5, 2011

Answer 9

Hey man , you're on the fringe ! Get off your bike and join in the group and show yourself.

you're - pesta, Apr 5, 2011

You see , that is why I am on the fringe , I just cannot conform , or spell. - ray76, Apr 5, 2011

Answer 10

Stop sitting on the fence and make a choice!

Very good... this is probably another hard one for most, it's not a literal translation at all... =) - DJ_Huero, Apr 5, 2011

Answer 11

Rabo de paja = Tail of straw? Literally? So like what happened to the Scarecrow in Wizard of Oz, just a different body part?

Different body part, but similar problem. ;-) - Gekkosan, Apr 5, 2011

Answer 12

Let's go half way to Quito in Ecuador...

Lol... this is funny, but far from it. ;-) - DJ_Huero, Apr 5, 2011

I had a funny feeling maybe this wouldn't be right... ;) - rabbitwho, Apr 5, 2011

Good attempt though ;) - DJ_Huero, Apr 5, 2011