Cultural Differences    27/01/1998


"I heard you were having an affair with your wife?"
"With my wife? Well umm, yes actually. I mean, why..."
"How horrible! I was hoping the rumours were not true. How can you do such a
disrespectful thing?"
"Well you see..."
"Do you have no respect for society whatsoever? Think of what the world
would come to if everyone was following your example!"
"I don't..."
"It would be impossible to live in such a place, that's what! Imagine if 
my wife wasn't having an affair with Fred Sydney - you know him? Good. 
Anyway, imagine just for a second if she was having an affair with me
instead! That would be almost as repulsive as if she'd wear shoes in 
public.. I shudder at the thought of it."
"Yes, but I'm not..."
"But just think about it! A society simply can't function that way! Have you 
ever had a thought for your children? I mean, think of the public 
humiliation they'll have to indure. I'm just hoping for your sake you didn't
have those children with your wife. That would be going to far. You
can be a rebel of society if you really want and all that, but you should 
have at least some consideration for your own children, Lord help their 
poor souls. And other people around you. It's just not fair everyone you know 
feels embarassed about you."
"What?"
"Look, I'm sure you'll understand if you think about it for a while. You'll
get over it soon enough and start having proper affairs with other people.
At least think about it as a favour for me, will you?"
"I don't think you understand. Back where I come from we're only supposed to
have affairs with our wives. Nobody else!"
"What?!"
"Yes. You see, I'm married to her. That's really meant to be a lifelong 
commitment."
"Ewwwhh.. really? What an incredibly rude period that 20th century must be."