What is meaningful couple conversation?

A conversation is an exchange between two or more persons.

So in a relationship, technically, if you’re talking, you’re having a conversation. But when the talk revolves consistently around bills, chores and investment opportunities, are we spiralling into a vicious cycle of a boring mutual existence?

Sure, it’s important to talk about bills. Getting sued is no laughing matter. But what is under-rated is the importance of talking about nothing at all. When a couple is able to chat about the texture of raindrops and philosophise on the state of their nails, then surely they would never run out of things to say to each other. Granted, we would also never run out of bills to pay but they sure don’t make conversations worth eavesdropping on.

Consequential conversations keep a relationship steady. It is essential. But it’s the talk about nothing that keeps the magic in a relationship. And that is essential too. Precisely because we would never run out of bills to pay or problems to solve, we need to be able to talk beyond them. To the nothing that makes a couple something special.

Let us all make time to talk about nothing at all.

Costly Freebies

My regional and local offices merged recently and decided to commemorate the occasion with a free t-shirt for the staff. How this improves our lives or careers I have no idea. I do know that someone has to pay for free t-shirts that most of the recipients will not wear. And that someone is all of us.

Freebies are everywhere. There’s no such thing as a free lunch but you may get free loofahs, water bottles, mouse pads… and even holidays. We may think we’re getting a better deal but the truth is that we could have paid less for the products in the first place. The ultimate ‘freebies’ are the ones banks give away. To entice you to invest. Honestly, the only thing you should consider is a fund’s past, present and potential future performance. Not the DVD player planted to distract you from reading the fine print of the many charges to be slapped on your money. I mean, someone has to pay for the bankers’ bonuses and parties. And the freebies.

It’s time to open our eyes and speak our minds. If our loyalty (credit cards) and judgement (investment schemes) should be rewarded, let it be rewarded with cash rebates. But before we start talking about ‘freebies’, let us concentrate on the quality of the stuff we’re buying in the first place.

And for my boss in case he’s reading this, my free t-shirt doesn’t fit me.

Cure for shopping pains

It would take a war to stop a woman from shopping. ‘After a hard day’s work’, ‘I need a new bag to go with the shoes I bought yesterday’, ‘it’s been so long (yesterday)’… there is no end to the reasons that drive/walk/fly a woman to shop. In fact, a woman doesn’t even need a reason to shop.

And why should she when shopping as an activity doesn’t hurt? At least not till the plastic is whipped out.

Before that, it borders on being a cardiovascular activity. The heart speeds up healthily when a fine prize is spotted. Calves already toned in punishing heels kick into action and propel a woman forward into a move perfected by years of fruitful practice. The mind efficiently computes the cost and promptly discards it with even more efficient rationalisation. The memory is tested as we race through our wardrobe mentally to see if we have similar items or anything to match the find in our hands. Of course, none of this matters if the item fits (an event that approaches a miracle as we approach our wiser days). The thrills sent down the spine as the zip successfully makes its way up fill us with endorphins (again, just like any sporting activity) and we continue in a hypnotised state to the finishing line at the cashier’s.

It is here that the 30-day refund no-questions-asked policy comes to the rescue. Indeed we can repeat the whole process at no cost. And end up with a heightened metabolism and a rush of feel-good hormones. Voila! A cure for shopping pains that actually encourages more shopping.

Assuming you already have something nice to wear out in the first place.

Hello Brave New World!

I resisted blogging for a long time. I wouldn’t bare myself on the streets, why would I do it on the web? But I am looking at BLOGGING in a whole new way.

This isn’t a diary for me, it’s an invitation for conversation. Do reply with your heartfelt thoughts. In this brave new world, words now know no distance. Only censorship.