Gibbs's space

QUOTE: "You can only be intimate with your equals"

Well, while it is tempting to jump up and agree or disagree with the above statement, I personally think there is a need to proceed with caution before one does so.

For instance what exactly is implied by the words intimate and one's equal? There are several kinds and degres of intimacy just as there are several kinds and degrees of equality between humans.

However, judging by the context and forum upon which this statement was made, it may be safe to conclude that the terms in question referred to affairs of the heart. Which assumption then leads us to the question whether or not this is so.

It seems too dogmatic to state that one can only be intimate rather than state that one might be better off being intimate with one's equals. But even the less dogmatic suggestion lends itself to the question: "In what context?"

While the assertion could be logical under circunstances predicated on the perpetuation of one's gene pool, it cannot be said to be equally true in other contexts. In fact in different contexts, it might even be argued that intimacy knows no bounds, and age is no exception to that observation!

History abounds with testimonials to the insight. And it seems both sexes tend to aim downwards after their forties as if to prove they still have what it takes. It is also agrued in some quarters that those caught up in this scenario are often in denial and, therefore, strive to court the companionship of the young in order to bask in the reflected glory of youth.

Whatever the case though, it can still be counter-argued that one can be happily intimate with those that are not necessarily their equals in age. And this observation leaves one to wonder whether the writer meant to make the statement "one's equally enamoured?"

Or are we to assume that Philosopher and Writer, Cornelius Whurr; who exclaimed: "Oh, what lasting joys the man attend, who has a polished female friend..." meant females belonging to one's age group alone?

Conversely, what of the words of another writer who remarked: "What cannot a neat knave, with a smooth tongue, make a woman believe?" Could it be that he was merely referring to women that were not one's equals?

If so, what then are we to make of the words of the famous George Bernard Shaw who argued; "A man who thinks that he is a woman's suitor, that he is the pursuer and she the persued; that it is his role to woo, to persuade, to prevail and to overcome, is a fool... Rather, it is he who is persued, the marked down quarry, the destined prey....?"

Ultimately then, isn't it only fair to make the observation that intimacy is the result of a combination of complex dynamics? That although it is true that in some instances age plays a significant part in intimacy, even then it does not necessarily the only determinant factor or have a monopoly!

Isn't that why it is often observed in some instances that "opposites attract" one another?

Ends.

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Confounding E-Commerce!

Too much noise and very little wool ?

Sometime back in April of this year I had occasion to watch a commercial on TV that touted the prowess of a new garden tool called the Awsome Auger.

The hype was convincing enough to persuade me to acquire it for use in my garden where every summer I enjoy growing a variety of vegetables. The tool sounded like it had an advantage over the garden claw when it came to saving time. As a result, ordered one.

So what is my Beef! Hear me out! Whereas the tool only cost $ 39.00, when I finally received it at the end of July, the bill showed a total deduction from my credit card of a whopping $ 113.00 including Shipping and handling charges! Need I point out that in the end the cost to me was equal to the purchase price of three such tools?

My question here is obvious; isn't it? Shipping and handling alone cost me a total of $ 74.00, and as though that wasn't enough, it took approximately three months for the tool to be delivered to my door! So much for "first-class" shipping !

Add to that also the high interest I pay for the credit card, which is a must in all online purchases and one cannot fail to see why online shopping is not as appealing to the consumer as is online selling to the merchant.

How do these shipping and handling companies account for, and justify such ridiculously high fees and pathetic dereliction of their vaunted efficacy? And, why do Online merchants continue to undermine their own businesses by opting to employ the services of these shipping and handling Shylocks over those of the ordinary postal services ? And the services of high interest e-commerce credit cards over interest-free m-commerce offered by Mobillcash? http://www.urlzoom.org/sn

The answer seems to lie somewhat in the words of an ancient sage who once observed what tends to happen in the business world. How, sometimes a man of no real capacity can reach the top by chance, and then remain there by virtue of an amiable personality, a talent for minor personal intrigue, and the sheer inertia prevalent in many a large organisation!

A scenario that lends credence to yet another adage of "Too much noise and very little wool!"

The merchants in their furore to market their wares tend to favour the services of those who have the gift of the gaff on the one hand. While on the other, the gullible consumers fall for the gaff and end up victim to shipping and handlind, and credit card companies!

Yes, the adage of "too much noise and very little wool aptly describes the over-hyped first-class, albeit exorbitant and "chameleon" paced service favoured by e-commerce. When added to the high-interest   charged by credit card companies, can it be any wonder that consumers tend to shun online shopping and opt instead for other alternatives?

Perhaps it is time for online merchants to wake up and smell the coffee. They too are not without alternatives if at all they are serious enough in their noble quest to increase product sales and services to the public.

As for the consumer, perhaps like me you didn't see it coming the first time around. But you do now!

Yikes!Here  it  comes!