DEAR Jasminda,

I recently gave away a bookcase and dining set to a couple who were just starting out.

They said they were grateful as they couldn’t afford to buy anything.

Then I saw my items listed on a Buy, Swap and Sell site for an inflated price.

I feel like contacting them to let them know that I know.

 

Geoff B.

Dear Geoff,

I remember being offered a photo frame made of elephant dung in Chiang Mai and haggling over the price, since it is poor form not to haggle in Thailand.

It just confuses the situation if you accept the price offered.

Anyway, I didn’t actually want the frame, so I offered a ridiculously low price, and the salesperson was so offended that I felt instantly mortified at my actions and ended up buying the frame for double the original asking price.

At customs in Sydney Airport, the frame was confiscated and ripped apart by a customs officer whose name was probably something like Butch or Dwight.

What is the message of this tale? I don’t know.

I’ve forgotten your question as I’ve now transported myself back to a time when life was simpler and the only worry I had was haggling over things I didn’t want.

I think the point I wanted to make was that life is too short to be fretting about things you no longer want anyway.

Or to be taking up headspace over objects that are no longer yours.

As someone very wise, I think it was Queen Elsa, once said, ‘Let it Go’.

Carpe diem, Jasminda