Complete knowledge or prescribed ignorance? Which one and why?
When it comes to vacations, I am the type of person who prefers a free flight in the cargo area with livestock to a $200 first-class seat. Conversely, my wife is willing to pay a little extra for the comfort class. Our first major trip together was to Switzerland. During the planning stages, I suggested one of those work-exchange rentals. You do a little work, and your night is free. As you can imagine, she shot me down faster than Doc Holliday.
In the past, I often slept in my car in lieu of using your more traditional bedding options. This has led to multiple instances in which I have been questioned by the police (or security) for choosing the wrong lot or pull-off for overnight stays. The rates, however, are unbeatable. Once in Salt Lake City, I parked in front of a store that had been robbed the night before. There’s nothing quite like waking up to a flashlight shining in your face and a police officer on the other end who is on high alert. Still, with unwavering commitment, I would opt for the same sleeping arrangements on any future adventures.
This mindset is deeply ingrained in me; I apply it to every trip, always looking for ways to reduce the price tag without concern for comfort. This arrangement didn’t work for my wife, so a compromise was born. We decided that for designated trips, I would not be privy to the expenditures. One example took place in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. My counterpart found a lighthouse bed-and-breakfast towering over Lake Superior. It sounded just like the ocean when the waves crashed against the nearby cliffs. This was something she had her heart set on, and none of my cost-saving measures would apply. There was only one option. She booked it, and I remained ignorant of the price. Uncontrollably, I found myself asking,
“How much did this cost?” To which she responded.
“Do you really want to know?”
My wife handles all the finances, so the dilemma for me was whether to say no because I had enough faith in her to remain ignorant and trust that we would still be okay financially, or to say yes and be angry the whole trip when she revealed the bill.
Complete knowledge or prescribed ignorance? What is your choice?
