My South African friend had recently received an iPad as a gift from a corporate client for his work on a project, but he found he wasn't really utilizing it as much as he could, so he suggested that we meet up and have a "playdate" with our iPads. Unfortunately, I had loaded my iPad to the Young Dutchman, but as it's always good to see the South African, I suggested we meet up anyway and I'd give him a tutorial on what I know.
We met up at the South African's hotel, and he suggested that we go for a curry dinner, since it was one of his last nights in London, and one of his last chances to do so. We went to a classic small Indian place, where the tables all have white tablecloths on them and they are packed in too close together. He got a chicken korma and seemed quite pleased with it, whereas I got the butter chicken and was incredibly disappointed. I guess that's a sign I shouldn't do that again anytime soon!
After dinner, we went and grabbed coffees (well, tea for me) at Starbucks, but it turned out that there was no Wi-Fi there. So instead we went back to his hotel lobby, and got online with both my MacBook and his iPad, although it took quite some hassling with the hotel staff to get that sorted out. Which led to an interesting discussion about how we both find we've become much more comfortable with the idea of having staff and servants, and how much we've come to expect and rely on good service in these places we frequent, whether they be clubs or high-end hotels. It's funny, because I think at first most people are intimidated by these people who just sort of hover around you at all times, but eventually you grow to expect them to be there...
Although I didn't have my iPad with me, we both learned quite a bit from each other, and I picked up a few tips for my iPad when I finally get it back.
I also spent quite a bit of time talking to the South African about this business venture that he's been working on. I realise that although we both are very cost-conscious and focus on money, we have very different attitudes towards it. I save like a church mouse, and put away every penny I can, assuming that I will slowly build wealth through saving and investing. The South African, instead, has sunk all of his spare cash into this online start-up he's working on outside of work with a few friends, but he hopes that if it takes off it will net him a few million rand, certainly enough to stop working. So basically I save money, while he wants to earn it.
As well, we have our similarities and differences when it comes to drinking... The South African does not drink at all, for religious reasons and because he's had a family history of alcoholism. I drink a little, but not much, mostly I realise because I hate spending money on alcohol, it seems like such a waste to me. And then I don't like it when people buy me drinks either, because it seems like such a waste of THEIR money too! Hence, a little wine with dinner, because it really can be quite a flavour enhancer, but nothing beyond that really... It's just one thing that it seems silly to spend so much money on.
It was also interesting to hear him once again be very positive about South Africa and how he sees his future there, whereas previously he'd always been talking about leaving. As well, where previously there had been a strong rejection of the idea of having kids, now he was saying things, "Well, my wife and I need to travel now, because if we eventually have kids, then we won't be able to as much." As well, he seemed super eager to get home, which was definitely nice to hear!
No comments:
Post a Comment