Israeli Kindergarten. Dual-income couples often arrived late to pick up their children. As a result, the kindergarten implemented a rule that parents would face a fine if they were late; however, even though this introduced a penalty system, it also led to more delays in pickup times. By replacing feelings of guilt with money, paying a fee for being late became the new norm. After recognizing the mistake and removing the fine system, what happened? More parents started arriving late. When money becomes involved, the exchange of value fundamentally changes the nature of the relationship. And once that change occurs, it doesn’t revert. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”
The conversation itself is value-neutral. Good and bad conversations are determined by circumstances and methods. Claiming that having many conversations is inherently good is misleading, as not all conversations are beneficial. Sometimes, silence can convey more than words. Dialogue exchanges information, communicates emotions, and conveys intentions and stances. However, a fruitful conversation can occur only when there is an implicitly respected distance between conversation partners, allowing both to express their intentions and thoughts appropriately within that distance. The reaction to these revealed intentions and thoughts ultimately decides whether to continue the conversation, shift to another topic, or maintain a stagnant relationship. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”