When money interferes in a relationship, it changes the dynamic. Social norms and market rules come into conflict. For example, imagine a couple on a date, and when the man takes the woman home, he says, “I spent $100 on you today.” Suddenly, a romantic relationship shifts into a market transaction. Messages like “Next time, it’s your turn to pay” and “I did this for you today” appear. The benefits of social norms differ from those of market rules. Both are necessary, but the relationship is affected by when, how, and to whom they are applied. A person who fails to strike a balance between these two aspects risks damaging relationships and harming communities. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”
Both self-respect and self-esteem are emotions that enable individuals to assess themselves and acknowledge their intrinsic value. Is this a form of identity capitalism? Who evaluates it, and who determines the criteria for value? Isn’t existence or nonexistence itself meaningful and valuable? Isn’t my presence in this world already worth something? - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”