One of my fellow co-workers (we’ll call him “Alan”) likes the video games as much as I do (maybe a bit more) and I walked up on the tail end of a conversation he was having. Alan was being asked by another of our co-workers (we’ll call her “Thundercat”) how he “found the time to play video games”. Seeing me walk up, Thundercat said “well, at least Bruce’s wife can stay at home, so I can see how that works”. This was a really weird thing to say for a number of reasons. Let’s explore them, shall we?
Point 1: “How do you find the time to play video games?” I really have never understood this kind of questioning. My usual response is “How do you find the time to watch TV?”. I wonder what people do with their lives that keeps them busy from 6-12 pm every night. Do people think video games can only be played in 8 hour sessions?
Point 2: “At least Bruce’s wife can stay at home” Ok, this one kills me. I mean, I guess the implication is that if Maryanne is home all day, then nothing needs to be done at night? I guess, but if someone is at home all day doesn’t that mean there are more things that will need to be cleaned up? If Maryanne and I were only active in the house for 4 hours a night, we would certainly have less stuff to clean up than if someone was active in the house for 14 hours. I know, it doesn’t exactly work out that way, but I think you get the gist.
The BIG issue I have with this comment though is the “at least Maryanne can stay at home”. Like we’re so well off that it doesn’t matter. I know for a fact that Thundercat makes more money than I do. I would be willing to bet that her husband makes at least the same amount. Thundercat is working, not because she needs to, but because she wants to and had made that decision in her life. I don’t begrudge her that choice, but really if she wanted to stay at home to raise her children, it’s completely doable. I have some simple advice for people living in this area that feel they have to have dual income: DON’T SPEND OUTSIDE YOUR MEANS! Pretty simple. You don’t need that Lexus or that BMW (no offense Grant, we know you bought the car to get chicks and that’s cool). You can live in a smaller house or commute. You’ve chosen the life you live, so don’t make excuses.
Sorry, had to rant.
