How do I tell my mom she’s embarrassing me?

I’m sure all of you can relate to this somewhat, I know all parents can be embarrassing from time to time but one thing my mom does really makes it difficult for me to have people over. In the middle of the kitchen, hanging on the wall is a wooden paddle my mom used to use on me when I was a kid. I’m a senior in high school now so it’s obviously not in use anymore but my mom still chooses to hang it up on full display. I have no resentment towards my mom for how she disciplined me but leaving it up on the wall is pretty annoying. A couple weeks ago for instance I invited a girl over who I like and while we were hanging out she couldn’t help but notice it. You could try to pass it off as a cooking utensil but the holes in it pretty much give it away. Naturally she asked me about it and my mom was in the room so this struck up a conversation that was extremely uncomfortable for me. I don’t think my mom thinks it’s a big deal and I don’t want to hurt her feelings but it does make me hesitate to invite people over. How should I bring this up to my mom?

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rckt148 · 61-69, M

You can explain that is why you have respect and manners a lot of young people today lack ,you were disciplined and it didn't kill you ,it served as a reminder.
If I hid everything I was beat with there would not be a cord on a lamp ,extension cord or tree in the yard ,wire coat hangers ,metal fly swatter
If it caused pain ,my Mom was an expert with it .
I used a switch ,but only on the rear through clothing and no where else .
My kids rarely got punished ,they were taught to mind early and reminded I didn't make threats when I got full custody of them .
You could talk to her and ask if it could be put in a less obvious place ,
But as I told my Dad and my kids have all told me .
I probably could have used more then I got ,but Mom was a different story .
She is how I know the difference from punishment verses abuse ,
Today ,Mom would be in jail never allowed to see her kids unsupervised again .