My wife - I need to brag a little.

[DanAleks]

I have a birthday coming up.
What I generally do for birthdays is circle a few things in some catalogs and give the catalogs to her.
She can choose what to buy for me. Items vary in price.
She does the same around her birthday.

Thing is, she doesn't drive.
If I request something large, a hard bass case for example, she doesn't want it delivered to the house & spoil the surprise.
If it's not easy to get it home on a bus, she doesn't want it delivered to her workplace.

So, the other day she brings this up and says to me, "Why don't you just get what you really want for your birthday and I'll get you something small, too."

Of course I asked what my spending limit is.
She smiled sweetly, shrugged her shoulders and said,

"Whatever..."

Now, I haven't been playing that long and I know our monetary situation shouldn't afford a boutique bass or even a new Fender Jazz, but MAN!

Not necessarily looking for advice or ideas (though I'll take either), just bragging.
/bragging

[Rich L]

Sounds like you have a good one there!

I knew I did when we were at Ed Roman's several years ago and I saw the nicest Dingwall I had ever seen but it was $7,500! I knew it was overpriced given the store, but she wanted me to buy and was bummed when I didn't. I've never spent more than $2k on a bass....the fact that she was not only willing to let me, but wanted me to....well, that's when I knew I was a very lucky man!

[SMILEYSIXX]

Take advantage of it by buying an Alembic.

[hbarcat]

Originally Posted by DanAleks

Of course I asked what my spending limit is.
She smiled sweetly, shrugged her shoulders and said,

"Whatever..."

A word of caution:

"Whatever . . . " translates directly to, "I trust you to use your best judgment about this and that means thinking this through carefully and taking our money situation into account." which itself translates to, "Before you buy anything put yourself in my shoes and ask yourself what I'm really going to think about it when you get it home."


I've learned this lesson the hard way - when she says, "whatever" it doesn't mean "indulge your whims". It's great to have a wife who trusts you and isn't naggy about stuff but in cases like this it's necessary to read between the lines. Of course, she may want you to buy something really expensive - but only you know what she really thinks about this sort of thing. Good luck, and congrats on the wonderful wife.

[MakiSupaStar]

You should buy me a round of hookers for your birthday.

[DanAleks]

hbarcat - thank you for your sage advice. You are most correct.

maki - WOOOOO hookers away!!1! (kidding; of course!)

[capnsandwich]

A Sadowsky NYC and a Beer Of The Month Club subscription.

[Rocks]

Just keep in mind that the more you spend on yourself more she'll expect from you when her b-day comes

[crustychef]

Originally Posted by hbarcat

A word of caution:

"Whatever . . . " translates directly to, "I trust you to use your best judgment about this and that means thinking this through carefully and taking our money situation into account." which itself translates to, "Before you buy anything put yourself in my shoes and ask yourself what I'm really going to think about it when you get it home."


I've learned this lesson the hard way - when she says, "whatever" it doesn't mean "indulge your whims". It's great to have a wife who trusts you and isn't naggy about stuff but in cases like this it's necessary to read between the lines. Of course, she may want you to buy something really expensive - but only you know what she really thinks about this sort of thing. Good luck, and congrats on the wonderful wife.

+1
Been there. Tread very carefully my friend.

[funkydjembe]

Originally Posted by DanAleks

"Why don't you just get what you really want for your birthday and I'll get you something small, too."

not that i'm an expert on the subject,,,but if my wife said that, i would think about the word "small" in the sentence. Now think!!! that could mean many things; #1 she is going to buy you a big gift #2 she thinks that you should appreciate the thought not the cost or whatever(time to put on yur thinkin cap) #3 She really wants you to buy a big gift for yourself ( in which case you should instead buy yourself a pair of socks and be happy). women are from venus dude,,,,,do the opposite and keep her happy

[funkydjembe]

p.s. love comes before bass,,,sometimes i think my wife is jealous of my basses

[funkydjembe]

p.s #4 her gift has more meaning than anything in the world

[Figjam]

splurge on yourself only if you splurge on her as well in return.

[Lester4string]

I would ask for Tal Wilkenfeld for my bday