Getting Old While Staying New

When I came to Alcoholics Anonymous in 1983, there existed  these fabled creatures known as the “old-timers.” They had a multitude of catch phrases they employed to convey their wisdom, one of which was “take the cotton out of your ears and stick it in your mouth.” I observed them uttering this phrase and directing it at newcomers although, by God's grace, not ever at me (I know I would have told them what to stick, where.) I never found this to be a nice way to welcome new people and to encourage them to share their experiences. I still don't.