Many years ago I had a colleague, a woman who I remember for a specific reason. Her husband died of methanol poisoning and she was left a widower with a disabled son at a young age. She wasn't the sharpest knife in the drawer and when we had a chat, the topic was mostly the same.
So many times I've heard her saying "if I'd have money I'd buy this and that". This was an ordinary thing for her, she's been doing that on a daily basis with everyone I suppose, not just me, and therefore after some time it became extremely annoying. Not to mention she was only speaking about outfits. I knew she was only daydreaming as she never had any money to spare for those outfits.
After so many years of life experience, I see things a bit differently and realize so many people are daydreaming on a daily basis and only a fraction of them are after making their dream come true.
I'm a bit different as when I mention something similar, which happens rarely, I say it as a goal and because I'm working towards realizing that goal, not just to hear my own voice. Those were different times, she was different, but served me as a good lesson.
Why did I think of her now? Not long ago I saw some ads about some passenger train carriages that offer you the luxury of your dreams. The article was called Go to Sleep in Paris, Wake Up in the Alps—Europe’s Most Exciting New Sleeper Train Routes and reading the title alone makes you want to try it out.
There are several crossing Europe, a dream of every long distance traveler. When I saw the article, listing a few railroad companies offering these amazing services and the routs, I though I'd make a list with them, you know, as a bucket list and pick one that I'm going to try out in the near future, but when I saw the price list, ... well, I knew I'd not be any different then my colleague. Why? The reason is a simple one. It all comes down to how much value you get for your money.
Travelski Night Express from Paris to the Alps, a night train to the slopes is an all-inclusive package, including transport, transfers, accommodation, and ski pass, with the option to rent gear (starting at 1,256 euros, or approximately $1,461 per person, based on current conversion rates). source
Would you spend the amount of money that would grant you a week at a modest, but decent place somewhere nice? If not, then why talk about it?
This made me thing of all the people I've met during my life, that I call empty talkers. I'd like to think that only 0.000000000000000000000001% of the people fit this category and I've met them all, but I know that couldn't be further from the truth. So many are talking all day, every day, saying things they don't really mean and/or making promises they never intend to keep. These are not energy vampires, but can still drain and waste your energy big time.
Over the years I've learnt to distance myself from them and avoid them as much as possible and when it's not possible, better make them face reality and stop them from wasting your time. You can't rely on their words, so why waste your time listening to them, just to make them feel better at your expense, right?
Most likely I will never understand why they are doing this or how they can live with their conscience, knowing they talk a lot and never do what they say they would.
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