I still can’t get over the American Idol auditions last week. I love AI, but unlike, I guess, most of the planet, I cringe at the audition shows when Cowell and crew scowl at and make fun of everyone. It’s probably the mom in me, but I feel so bad for all those people who think they’re really, really good, and they are really, really not. (I do like to see the truly talented contestants shine; that’s also the mom in me, as in “Way to go, honey!”)

So, here’s this Mom’s Words of Wisdom (you know, like: “If you don’t have anything nice to say about someone, don’t say anything at all?”) that I’d like to offer anyone going on an audition or job interview or any place where they're trying to make a good first impression.

Here goes: No matter how talented or capable or extraordinary you (think) you are, don’t lead off with a show and tell about any of your disgusting or weird habits—like the AI contestant who brought in a plastic bag of all his old nail clippings (YUCK)—before you sing, dance, answer an HR person’s questions, etc., etc. Yes, you want to be memorable, but not for being gross or disgusting (or wearing a weird banana getup, for that matter).

Back to the fingernail contestant. So the judges are listening to this one guy and he’s good, but you can see from their faces that they are having a hard time getting past the whole fingernail thing, which he shared—in detail—with them and gazillions of us lucky viewers, before he sang. He did get the yellow ticket but it was definitely touch and go there. So remember, pack the head shot or resume. But leave the Ziplock bag of old nail clippings at home.

PS: What Mom Words of Wisdom would you like to offer anyone auditioning or interviewing?