greener than thou: Spouse edition

It's not necessarily a new phenomenon that disagreements about household purchases can sometimes strain relationships. Anyone who's tried to buy a couch, tv, kitchen, or even a printer with your roommate or significant other has probably experienced some sort escalating argument that stems from slight differences of opinion.

It's a scenario that people in the furniture industry often see, and especially in a company like ours where two people come to the warehouse to buy a dining room table, and one falls for a live edge light brown mango table, and the other can't take their eye off a slab made from railroad ties

However, an article in the NY Times from January still seems to be relevant as we mull it over and over, and run into the situation (as recently as last weekend)...therapists seeing an increase in strained relationships because one considers themselves more environmentally aware than their significant other.

photo: Ann Johansson, NY Times.

Here are a couple of really good lines...

"As awareness of environmental concerns has grown, therapists say they are seeing a rise in bickering between couples and family members over the extent to which they should change their lives to save the planet."

"Mr. Fleming, who says he became committed to Ms. Cobb “before her high-priestess phase,” describes their conflicts as good-natured — mostly.

But he refuses to go out to eat sushi with her anymore, he said, because he cannot stand to hear her quiz the waiters"

We'd offer advice, but as we've found when folks are deciding between two slabs or debating whether to go with a clear water-based finish, or a dark brown finish, sometimes it's best to step away and come back in a few minutes, which might not actually be bad advice.