When money interferes in a relationship, it changes the dynamic. Social norms and market rules come into conflict. For example, imagine a couple on a date, and when the man takes the woman home, he says, “I spent $100 on you today.” Suddenly, a romantic relationship shifts into a market transaction. Messages like “Next time, it’s your turn to pay” and “I did this for you today” appear. The benefits of social norms differ from those of market rules. Both are necessary, but the relationship is affected by when, how, and to whom they are applied. A person who fails to strike a balance between these two aspects risks damaging relationships and harming communities. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”
Can we sell pesticides to the Maasai? In Maasai culture, flies represent wealth. Ranching and livestock inherently attract flies. If someone arrives and removes the flies, there is no Maasai to welcome them. The focus of the business is not on selling products but on conveying “meanings.” - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”