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| Vol.3.105 | |
Gift Giving - Hints for Guysby Vince PoscenteAuthor of The Ant and the Elephant, Invinceable Principles and The Age of Speed It was my birthday last week and my wife gave me a light cord (bulb not included). Men? Do you ever notice how women never forget? Since marriage is a unique game - much like a combination of Ouija, Chess, Jai Alai and mind reading - I believe I got the cord because of a gift I gave her 12 years, 10 months and 18 days ago. (Historic details women care more about than men.) My story? I had good intentions. I spent way over my budget. It was something that she could use for decades to fill a room with warm feelings and melodic sounds. It would remind us of the beautiful music we would make together. It was that high tech marvel - the Bose Wave Radio. Wife's story? My husband got me a clock radio as my wedding gift. Don't let your gift buying rationale supercede memory. My story? Michelle loved the movie Memoirs of a Geisha. Our friend Nan found this limited edition perfume of the same name. Michelle loved it. I tried everywhere to find her the same perfume. I couldn't but I did find some $40 luxury bath supplement to sooth her skin and comfort her senses with a beautiful aroma. Wife's story? He got me bubble bath as my Christmas present. My defense? "But I've given you presents that you have loved." Wife's comeback? "I gave you those ideas." Now before you start assuming I'm trying to prove how right I am and how wrong she is (Pure folly on my part if you're female. Perfectly logical if you're the person that is reminded by said female that "you're just not thinking.") THE POINT I'm trying to make is men are wired differently than women. According to Simon Baron-Cohen, Ph.D.'s book, The Essential Difference (regarding male and female brains), men are better at systems while women are empathy oriented. Empathy (and The Amazing Kreskin) is something I needed. None of this may be news to you. At this point, I'd like to pull the men aside and give some concrete, systematic, tangible solutions to avoid any problems with future gift giving.
Step two. Call BFF and get specific instructions on where to get the thing that seems entirely useless and overpriced. Buy it. Step three. Act surprised between 3 months and 87 years later your wife admits that she knew about step one and two all along. Brace yourself for the clock radio story. This, my friend, is the fastest way to a happy interaction with the women in your life. I'd better go now. I've got to start thinking about our next anniversary. "Hello BFF? This is Vince. Do you have a minute?" Until next week, it's full speed ahead,
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© 2010 Vince Poscente. All Rights Reserved. |
Step one. Men, secretly go to your wife's best friend (BFF). Ask for ideas. BFF's love this! What happens next will be invisible to you. BFF and wife will talk. Rest assured the clock radio and bubble bath will be brought up.