Eavesdropping on the MBTA...

[flexagon]

I overheard a fascinating conversation on the bus today. I'm going to try to type it up verbatim, or as much as I can.

Guy #1: So you're doing okay with that new car? <I think he said the model and style... but this is just when I barely started to listen, and I certainly wasn't fascinated yet>
Guy #2: Yeah, yeah. Gas prices are going down a little and everything, it's not that bad.
Guy #1: Yeah, gas is down. Although you have to remember, you know, it's not all that much money you're spending even when it costs more.
Guy #2: Yeah, I don't even fill it up all the way, I just fill it up halfway for like $10, it's nothing.
Guy #1: That's nothing. I just think you have to be philosophical about these things. Think how much you spend on a pack of cigarettes or something, hell, it's not that much money that you're paying more for the extra cost even when the price is up. You think about it, you're not smoking, so you're saving money right there. Gas, you're never spending a lot.
Guy #2: I agree, you have to watch what you're really spending money on. Hey -- you want to know what I really spent way too much money on lately?
Guy #1: What?
Guy #2: (whispering) An adult massage.
Guy #1: Really? ...Was it good?
Guy #2: (still very low voice) Oh I loved it, it was great. You'd be surprised, this lady has a really nice condo right outside Davis Square. We did it twice.
Guy #1: How much did it cost?
Guy #2: A hundred dollars.
Guy #1: That's cheap.
Guy #2: Oh yeah, it's cheap, it's cheap. Especially when you think what you're going to pay anyway on movie tickets, plus dinner, parking, gas and all that...
Guy #1: Seriously. I think it's great that you did that. I think that stuff, all that stuff should be legalized. Prostitution.
<Guy #2 gets up because it is his stop>
Guy #1: Well, see you later. Glad you got what you wanted. You're happy, that's good. See you later.
Guy #2: See you later.

Comments

[hiddenbear.livejournal.com]

He's right of course. Um, about the gas thing. ;-)

I think it is hilarious when people think they are saving money by only filling up half way. I had a very smart friend who tried to explain his reasoning to me. He had ~13 gallon tank, so by only filling up 6 gallons, there was 7 gallons less to carry around. At ~6lbs (http://www.santacruzpl.org/readyref/files/g-l/gasoline.shtml) per gallon, that is 42lbs less. Of course, that doesn't take into account that the dregs of your gas tank are dirtier, and therefore less efficient. He was pretty convinced though.

[flexagon]

I never even thought about the incremental savings of hauling around less weight in gas. I always thought much more in terms of safety margin...I used to fill mine back up when it hit the halfway mark.

People tend to think in terms of the size of each payment. Thus, $10 twice as often is probably making this guy feel good. I do laugh at this, but at the same time I feel comfortable enough with my mortgage payment, and pee my pants every time I see the principal amount (or, worse, the amount I will have paid by the time the principal is paid off). So, alas, I know I'm just as irrational and nonlinearly valuing as he is. :b

[webrat.livejournal.com]

Heh. I often said that prostitution should be legalized, but feh. That's pretty cheap tho, $100 for 2 times? Sheesh.

[flexagon]

I agree on all counts.

The only thing that shocked me was the complete sincerity in the guy's tone when he was comparing the $100 against the cost of a date. I never really thought that some guys do see that stuff pretty much as payment for sex, but apparently so.

[miyyu.livejournal.com]

... speechless ...

[savage-rose.livejournal.com]

ROFL! But on a date, you might do it...3 times...a much better value!