I recall that, as Wm. Henry Dana was starting round The Horn, he felt embarassed that he was barfing himself inside out each time he climbed the rigging. It was a pretty rough job, complicated by the violent swaying of the masts as the ship pitched. In a calmer moment, he approached an old salt and asked his advise. The sailor told him (as best I can remember)," I've been a sailor going on 30 years now, and I vomit most times I go aloft". (although in Dana's version it probably sounded more like,"Well, bucko-me-lad...I've been a shellback most o' me life, boy and man. And I ain't tipped to say that whene'er I'm loft, I give a little to the green hands on deck, just to keep 'em humble, and give me belly a wash"...or somethin' equally salty.
Shane's wisdom is nearly as profound.