zOwie Omega Discussion Forum

Serious answer to your question?

I'm a firm believer that the merits of quid pro quo are vastly misunderstood. I think we do a lot of things in relationships out of love; no question about it. But there are also things we "do" to "get." Similarly, there are things we consider "non-negotiables," at which point I'd simply ask, "In return for me getting mine, what would you like to have?"

Okay, so, Mike, you go down to your local Borders or whatever fine book store, and get her one of those leather-bound "journals" like Hemingway supposedly used to carry. And you look her in the eyes and you say, "I really want to make you happy, and I want you to ask for what you want. Please, write it down here. Let's figure out what each other's 'top ten' list is, and commit, out of love, to delivering on it."

So you like Omega watches and golf. And maybe the 2-door Pontiac G6. She must have such things on her side as well. If she came to me and said you'd gotten yourself a Planet Ocean instead of her some bobble, I'd say, "But he told you. That's honesty and intimacy. If you go all ape on him, he'll w/draw and keep secrets. That's the path to becoming one of my clients."

Rather, I'd encourage her to ask for something she wanted that was a similar spook to you. You get the Planet Ocean, she gets a weekend out w/ the girls, or you change the kids' diapers (I'll have to ask Sam if that's one of the "extreme" situations from which the SeMPC must sit it out), or participate in some romantic fantasy she might be pushing for (hopefully not involving sheep, but that's merely a suggestion).

We're all behind you here.