What does 'I came in with my eyes open' mean?

[Desirable Industrial Unit]

Topic.

Open to what?  A load of greasy fanny sliding past your eyes?  I know the meaning, it's that you're wise, born wise, a man who doesn't let anything get by him, but nobody was born with their eyes open, that'd be horrible.

Two threads that'll go absolutely nowhere, that's my duty done for the year.  Over to the rest of you.

[Crisps?]

I've heard of going into something with your eyes open, meaning you're aware of potential problems, and heard of coming into the world with nothing, but I don't think I've heard "I came in(to the world) with my eyes open".

Is it an American saying? Things Americans say never make any sense.

[Phoenix Lazarus]

Ask David Soul.

[biggytitbo]

what about going into something with your eyes wide shut?

[spamwangler]

it is what it is

[Cerys]

A-ha claim in Looking for the Whales that they are 'born into this world with our eyes side open', and they're Norwegian.  Makes you think.

[Icehaven]

Like Crisps said it doesn't mean you're claiming to have been born super-aware of the world, it means going into a new situation, say a new job or relationship, conscious of previous or existing issues with it/them, having considered what could happen and prepared for potential problems etc. Still doesn't stop you falling on your arse but at least you can say "I told me so" before anyone else does.