Not so recent background: I was talking to my mom when I was back home about “marriage and stuff”. By which I mean I was mentioning classmates getting married and what not. That slowly led to a lot of “stuff” that’s not really pertinent to the discussion here. Anyhoo, that ended with her vehemently declaring 23 is too young to get married, and I sat through her rather long spiel. OK, so no one’s in any real hurry now, are they?
Recent background: A few days ago, I get an e-mail from her telling me my oldest friend is getting married. Now, this friend’s mom is one of my mom’s best friends. The kicker here is, my friend’s 23.
Hilarity ensues.
Excerpts from a conversation with her today:
I say:
now, regarding d’s marriage, what happened to the 23-is-too-young mindset now?
mom says:
i think the guy’s parents put a lot of pressure and even now these people don’t know how they were talked into it.
mom says:
engagement should take place this sunday.
I say:
that’s easily one of the dumbest excuses i’ve heard
I say:
anyway, just wanted to tell you that’s the real world. not 23-is-too-young
mom says:
ok.got it
mom says:
i guess when they thought about the whole thing,they had no reason for not proceeding
mom says:
apparently heard decent stuff about the boy and all that
I say:
except of course her education, career opportunities, time to try and do fun things, gather life experience etc.
mom says:
right
…
mom says:
things happen all the time wahgnube,and some decisions change.That cannot be helped
I say:
then you must not sound hell bent otherwise until 20 seconds prior
I say:
people need to learn to make up their minds and be consistent
mom says:
ok.
I say:
and further more, i remove your ‘they’re so young’ saying rights when i mention classmates of mine are / are getting married
mom says:
ok.
mom says:
i only meant as in boys and not girls
I say:
that’s even stupider sounding
I say:
because we’re less responsible, immature and incapable?
mom says:
not you,but most boys may not be capable of handling family responsibilities at 23-24
mom says:
thats all.But there are exceptions
I say:
that’s besides the point. you cannot have double standards. what sort of example, as a parent, are you setting for your son?
mom says:
generally it takes a boy in this part of the world around 26-27 to gethis footing in life
mom says:
no double standards wahgnube.
I say:
ergo it’s ok for a woman to get married whenever, but it isn’t for men. you encourage men to be doctors and woman to marry them? hah
I say:
i love the way i worded that
mom says:
then again,if i had a daughter i might have got her married at 23-24.who knows?
I say:
that’s going to be my catchphrase that owns all catchphrases for this sort of discussion with anyone, ever
mom says:
i can see that
…
mom says:
are you in a frame of mind to settling down in life(as in having a family etc)?
I say:
no, but that’s not the point is it?
mom says:
exactly the point.Different people are different
I say:
the point is you will somehow magically decide i am not ready even if i felt i was
I say:
but if i were a woman you’d say ok, fine
mom says:
i wil not.Even if i was given the slightest inkling of your need to settle down,i will be the first one to go with it
I say:
i am just having a blast because just two weeks prior you were telling me how young everyone is and now this happens
I say:
and you’re apparently totally ok with this, but not with anything else
…
I say:
point in all of this being, this is how the world seems to work.
mom says:
i get the picture
I say:
and it is surprising i’ve noticed some things regarding its functioning that other people miss
I say:
which is a very very rare occurrence i might add
mom says:
nobody attaches so much importance to each and every occurrence
I say:
i do, because this is a big deal, and this is so anti how you sounded a short while ago.
mom says:
hey,i am not anti-marriage
I say:
who said anti marriage? i said anti 23 year olds getting married
mom says:
right.i stand corrected
I say:
and i am patenting my “encourage men to be doctors and women to marry them” quote
I say:
it will go down in the annals of history as one of the most brilliantly articulate takes on what’s so blatantly obvious
mom says:
ok.time for a change of topic, now
I’m going to hell, aren’t I?