REGULAR FEATURES
DECISIONS, DECISIONS!!
P
erhaps it has been our recent elections that have inspired me to write about the onerous decisions I have been called upon to make of late. As regards the elections, to which do I owe my allegiance; the State Government or the individual member standing in my electorate? My late husband and I could never agree on this point, we could each see each other's point of view but whereas I usually went for the State Government, he always
blue dress with rose flowers or the pink dress with blue flowers? And does it really matter? Which earrings should I wear today? Indeed, what clothes should I put on my back to begin the day? When I was still living in the UK I once took an older lady shopping who had a unique method of solving such problems. She wished to buy a dress so I took her to the smartest dress shop I knew. Not one I could ever afford to frequent in my student days. She tried on dress after dress but would
Madam would like to choose one?” she said politely. Madam still could not make up her mind, but solved the problem by saying that she would take the lot! I thought the assistant would faint on the spot but no. Although looking somewhat shellshocked, she asked in a weak voice how Madam would like to pay for her purchases as there was no sign of a hand-bag or purse anywhere to be seen. My companion then asked me to give her the somewhat tatty shopping-bag I had been holding whilst she tried on all the dresses and brought out a brown paper bag stuffed with notes and paid for the lot in cash! One assistant went home extremely happy, whilst I had to excuse myself for a minute or two so I could giggle in
new car as to the make and model. Do red cars go faster? Would it be easier if we all go back to Mr Ford's advice; any colour as long as it's black? Do lengthy menus in smart restaurants send us straight round to the Local Chippie or completely kill the appetite for sustenance at all? After years of wrestling with the problem of how best to make decisions, I have come with some kind of method. I first decide whether the decision is of earth-shattering or negligible importance, for example, should I poach my egg or boil it, two pieces of toast or three. Perhaps five minutes is more than enough time to consider these knotty problems. On the other hand, if I feel the decision will have far-reaching consequences, I might take up to a week or
By: Elaine Lutton
argued for the individual standing in the Electorate. Only on one occasion did I cross party lines and vote with him. Usually, he would say that it was time to cancel each other out once more, and off we would go, quite amicably, to the polls to do just that. We always agreed on Ends, but it was Means where we differed. Whether the decisions are weighty, or of no real consequence, they all seem to tax my brain-power and to take up an inordinate amount of my time. Should I buy the
say, after considering each one, “I cannot make my mind up, they all seem attractive”. There were six or seven dresses lying in a heap in the corner of the dressing room and she still seemed very indecisive. The assistant had been patient for well over an hour, but was beginning to get a little restless, remember in those days her salary would be augmented by the commission she had earned based on the number of garments she had sold, and we had taken up a sizeable amount of her time. “Perhaps
36 www.thebribieislander.com.au
The Bribie Islander
private.
Arrival
Some important decisions I have found relatively easy, the naming of our children for example. This was decided way before the aforesaid babies put in an appearance, but on the other hand, what shall I have for tea tonight, the lamb chops and sweet potato mash, or a pork medallion with a corn cob? Too difficult!
more to decide what course to take. I ask advice from no-one, after all, it is me that will have to live with the result. This does not mean that I will not obtain as much information as I possibly can from as many sources as are available. However, in the end, it is I that must make the final decision.
I read once that too much choice is very stressful and I can only agree. Folk nowadays spend just as much time pondering the colour of their
Now my article is polished and finished, I think I deserve a hot drink before bed, coffee, tea, Milo, cocoa, or just plain milk?
