The $2,000 Kiss
Reader Comments
Don't forget hand holding
Author makes a great point. I'd add that hand holding is good, too. Sweet, safe, and oh-so-effective for middle-schoolers, high-schoolers, college singles, young lovers, middle-aged stress addicts and seniors----all the way to the moment of passing.
I pity the kids today who have landed in schools with lawyer-administrators who think hand holding is a thing to be prohibited. It is actually a thing for sensible parents and teachers to be encouraging (unlike the 30-second kiss above, which may prevent shopping by adults but can't be recommended for schools.)
Average, Shmaverage
I love it when you see "average" thrown around like this. That makes it sounds like this is normal behavior. I know that statistically this is not what the author means (ha ha, I made a funny!)
While I don't think this is typical behavior, I do think it happens. It would seem likely to me to be a particular problem in relationships where one person has total control and knowledge of the finances and the other is completely shut out. In that case, the shut out party may feel that breaking free a little is warranted.
While I don't think I ever had a "pop shot", I used to be in the position of having no knowledge ab out our finances, even though I have always been the primary bread winner. I would frequently feel resentful at not being able to buy stuff without "getting permission" from my wife. Now that we are openly communicating about money and sharing all the financial decisions, I no longer have any resentment. Knowledge, purpose, and teamwork really can work wonders, both with your money AND your marriage.
Pop shots galore
I've noticed that when I'm in relationship purgatory or the worse place, I do spend a lot on things I really don't need. Chocolate is usually my achilles heel and funny movies...
seen it happen
Not a big expense, but when simply suggesting having a homemade birthday cake for the toddler rather than a store-bought to save a few bucks, a significant other went on a rage and then "POP"ed. The end result was a complete professional cake decorating kit including lesson books used not much more beyond that one little baby's cake. Funny thing, I would have made the cake myself!
She shops anyway
Despite the affection, she interprets the dopamine high as a 'buy signal' to rush out and shop. Maybe holding both of her hands very tightly until the dopamine high goes away will help our bottom line.
