#JustWrite: The Being Single Penalty…
I’m participating with Just Write today with Heather from the Extraordinary Ordinary. The idea behind this is to free write your ordinary and extraordinary moments when they happen. I’ve loved reading these – and today (finally) I am writing about a moment that got me thinking.
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As I was listening to the radio this morning, as I do every day on my way to work, a commercial for an upcoming event came on. Typically I don’t pay attention to the advertisements – and even in writing this, I could not tell you what the event was – except that tickets were $150 for a single ticket and $250 for a couple.
Why is it that if I wanted to go to this event, I would be charged more than someone who is buying 2 tickets? Is my single presence there so difficult to deal with and coordinate that there is a need to charge an extra $25 for the inconvenience?
I understand that I might cause you not to fill up a table with a round number.
But what about me? I live on a single income – an income because of the economy in the past 4 years that has not increased at all. I live in a home that I would love to sell, but cannot afford to because the mortgage is so high after the housing collapse.
I understand that the couples attending this show may also live on a single income. That they too want to sell their homes.
The same really goes for vacations. If I would want to go on a cruise or to an all inclusive resort somewhere, I am lured in by some of the deals saying that they are are X amount per person… only to find out later that if I choose to go by myself, that price rises by 25-50% all because I don’t want to share my room with a stranger.
Sometimes I want to go somewhere by myself. With me being in my mid-30’s now, I’m trying my best to accept the fact that I am not part of a couple. That this “being in a couple thing” may not be God’s long term plan for my life.
But what I’m really struggling with is being penalized for a life circumstance… no matter where I go.
Do you struggle with being penalized for something that you feel you shouldn’t be?
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karla porter archerFebruary 7, 2012 | 11:29 am
I have to admit, I’ve never considered this point. But the one you make is very valid.
Now I’m curious as to the business thinking that started that…
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JulieFebruary 7, 2012 | 11:55 am
I can understand the business aspect of it – when you are planning on selling a room for a cruise for $1500 and only getting $750… although even understanding it, doesn’t mean it’s fair for myself – or anyone else that’s single/divorced/widowed and just looking to escape for a little while.
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karla porter archerFebruary 7, 2012 | 12:07 pm
well yeah – I get that on a cruise… but I’ve seen it for clubs and such, even when it’s known that the event will be a sellout. (I guess I was thinking more about the obscure reasons. )
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JulieFebruary 7, 2012 | 12:33 pm
I noticed the same thing for one (very popular) blog conference this year. I know it will sell out – but gives a substantial family discount when 2 tickets are sold together. Very odd. Hmmm…
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KairaFebruary 7, 2012 | 12:07 pm
I think you make valid points that it definitely feels like a penalty – and that stinks – but I don’t think it is exactly a penalty.
I’ll use the B1G1 {free, half off, discounted} trend as an example, I think most of those examples are a discount for additional pastries to participate. I think there is always a base price, and extras are discounted because every extra in reality brings in more revenue. I think you aren’t being penalized as much as pairs – often not actual “couples” are given a discount for multiple purchases. I’m sure I would have thee same thoughts you do but I think the discount makes more sense than a single ticket/person/reservation penalty.
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JulieFebruary 7, 2012 | 12:25 pm
I consider the B1G1 trend as a penalty – in most cases – as well… because typically I only need one of something. Does it not cost the same amount to produce each item (whether it is a pastry, burger, ice cream, etc.)? With this, typically, unless I want to splurge (then have to store the extra somewhere), I have to pay full price – while you and your husband (or one of your children) are allowed a discount on a second item… simply because you have bought 2.
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KairaFebruary 7, 2012 | 12:43 pm
I really disagree with the thought process og B1G1 being a penalty in most cases and your logic that it costs the same to produce 1 as it does to produce 4. That’s just not how society works.
If you want lasagna for dinner it would cost you $10 to make a serving, the same as it costs a family of 4 to each have a serving because products aren’t sold in individual sizes, generally speaking. You save money when you eat lasagna 3, 4 or 6 times.
The same math works for a hamburger and a manicure. You pay for the entire bottle of polish each time you have someone do your nails , the savings is in buying the bottle and using it 20 times.
Most B1G1 @ a discount is a retail trend. You may only need 1 pair of shows but most people don’t think they are being penalized for buying one pair – they think they are being rewarded for buying 2 or more pairs.
How many times do you think the lingerie ship is penalizing you because you only need one pantry. In reality, the pantry is $8 but they’ll sell you 3 panties for $18. It is cheaper to make 3 pairs of panties than it is to make 1 pair because, in almost everything, volume discounts apply.
I understand how you came to this conclusion but I think it might be taking it too personally. My guess is you don’t take it as a slight to single people that a while v pizza is more economical than a personal pan, or that a 2 Liter is often more affordable than a 20oz. Do you buy a single bar of soap or a 3/6/12 pack? It is often just a way to motivate people to buy more or spend more.
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JulieFebruary 7, 2012 | 1:01 pm
I did not say that it costs the same to produce 1 item as it does 4. In theory, at the company each item costs the same amount to produce en mass – as almost everything is produced these days. However, the first one is sold for full price – then as you said – people are rewarded for spending more $$ on a second of the same item (but with a substantially lower profit margin) – whether or not that item is in fact needed. In most cases retails wise, your example wouldn’t apply to me. However, if I were to go to a restaurant with friend (a couple) – I could pay full price for my meal, while they receive a B1G1 simply because they are sharing a bill.
In the case that I’m talking about above (as in tickets to a show, concert, vacation) – couples are rewarded simply for being a couple. How is this not a penalty toward single people that can’t find a companion to go with?
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KairaFebruary 7, 2012 | 12:47 pm
Holy cow… that’s a crap-ton of auto-correct mistakes. *rolls eyes*
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KairaFebruary 7, 2012 | 1:46 pm
I do see your side of things, even though I think it is ultimately an issue of perspective. But, perspective doesn’t really matter much when one is feeling notably single. And for that, I’m sorry. I too would probably have.many of these same feelings if I were in your shoes.
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Margaret@SingleandSaneFebruary 7, 2012 | 9:31 pm
I don’t think it’s an issue of feeling “notably single.” The fact is that singles pay more per person than couples for many events. I took the Dave Ramsey course this year and was charged $100. Couples were also charged $100 — total, not per person. Granted, couples can share the materials, but part of taking the course is the ability to take as many times as you like, as long as you attend nearly all of the sessions the first time you go through it. (You’re allowed to miss one session.) Couples of course, don’t always stay together, but the $50 they paid per person is for life. It cost me $100 for the same privilege. That’s a penalty. It’s ironic when the course is about money, to make it more of a financial burden for singles, who already make less in general than married people. I’m just sayin’…
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JulieFebruary 7, 2012 | 10:03 pm
Margaret – I took the same course and had forgotten about that. I may have to write to Dave Ramsey and ask him why he – the one that tells us to guard against the “stupid tax” – charges the same for singles & couples.
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Margaret@SingleandSaneFebruary 7, 2012 | 11:13 pm
It’s the most egregious example of a singles penalty that I’ve ever dealt with…I guess that does qualify for a stupid tax. Dang.
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LeslieFebruary 7, 2012 | 2:38 pm
I do agree with you! My Mom used to travel alone after my Dad passed away and she ended up sharing with strangers so it was cheaper…she hated that! I never thought this was fair.
Stopping by from Just Write:)
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Karen PetersonFebruary 7, 2012 | 4:41 pm
Amen.
Seriously.
It’s like the older I get, the more disadvantages there are to being single. Plus, it’s getting expensive.
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PattiFebruary 7, 2012 | 8:35 pm
Ummm…yes. SO yes.
Especially the travel thing. I am sick of Michigan and cold, but to travel alone is so freaking expensive. And kind of sad. I’m working on not thinking it’s sad…but so far that’s not working well for me
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