For seven years, I was one of what I can best describe as family therapists masquerading as contractors of renovations and shop interiors. In Bishan, where we live, I do meet people, but our exchanges are limited by the apparently global need to scrutinise only our feet while we're in a lift. Thankfully, the local retailers are free from these constraints. As strategies go, it's not bad. I can chatter on without having to examine how guilty I'm beginning to feel.
Housework is as respectable as any job.
However, for the years before Mary and I married 14 months ago, we looked after our own households. And I would like to believe that, after the wedding, we continued to share the domestic responsibilities. Mary has a different opinion, though. Anyway, being responsible for the domestic duties does not necessarily fulfil the complex emotional needs I've acquired throughout my years of employment. Perhaps besides feeling guilty about how much I enjoy my free time, I also envy those who are in the workforce.