Posted by Khamba
in January 23, 2010
It's simple. Hobbies are too expensive.
Consider a man's dilemma, one that i myself am going through at this very moment by taking up the most common amongst men's hobbies.
Gaming: Gone are the days where you could buy a Playstation and a 50 buck game CD just because you liked the cover. Now that i am a PS3 and Nintendo Wii(Its new and shiny) owner, i can tell you that every game is a life changing decision at nearly Rs.2500 bucks. I buy a game 1 year after its relased at the lovely price of Rs.1500 (Because of which i havent played Modern Warfare 2, Uncharted, Batman A.A., Street Fighter 6 and wont buy God of War 3 till the end of next year. The Wii shall continue to boast of no new games for one year). If youre into 8 bit gaming though, a Media console comes for Rs 500 with a 1000 in 1 cartridge and a laser gun.
Reading: I beg to differ on the fact that paperbacks have made reading more accessible. Paperbacks dont come for 6 months after the book has been published, and by that time men lose the only reason they read books to begin with - sound intelligent and fit in with the social scene. Every hardbound book costs a 1000 bucks, because of which people like Chetan Bhagat can continue to ruin a generation of Indians with their 60 rupee trash promoted as "easy-reading" because the guy can't turn a phrase to begin with.
Watching TV: How can you possibly watch TV if you dont have a high-definition LCD? And if you can manage to afford a high end LCD or even better, a 3D Ready or 1080p projector, you would have already hooked it up to your gaming rig. Till then, the old faithful curved screen shall continue to ruin your eyes while you learn about new terrorist plots to blow up your country on the news.
The Arts: If youre a serious photographer, you would not be seen with anything less than a 50K DSLR coupled with the latest MAC and storage. Without that you'd have no respectability. If you're a painter, you can still create a lot of stuff without needing much initial investment - however, as soon as you step into a congregation of those associated with the art world, you will realise how expensive neurosurgery can be. And finally, music. If youre an aspiring DJ, equipment will break your back. If youre into softer things like the guitar or god forbid, drums, as you get better you will need more equipment, better acoustic arrangements at home, more money to get seen or heard at relatively obscure gigs before your neighbours eventually get you thrown out for being a public nuisance. In short, chances of something coming off apart from travelling and living hand to mouth at college concerts, there is much to lose.
Cooking: I would like to refer you to the Food Inflation index in India. If that is too hard for you, i would like to refer you to Le Marche in Select Citywalk Mall, New Delhi. There you can find the choicest of German Sausages (pack of 6) all for a miserly sum of Rs.750.
Watching Movies: Cost of movie ticket + popcorn + coke in a multiplex = 500 bucks. Emotional pain at having watched utter trash 9 out of 10 times, priceless.
Gardening: When was the last time you saw a big enough garden in Delhi? Space has become such an issue for commonfolk, that gardening has now become the term used for when two people goto Lodi Garden for extensive public displays of affection, only to realise they have become local celebrities in Palika Bazaar.
Sports and Exercise: First you have to be good enough to be a member. Then you have to pay for it. At this point it can still be somewhat affordable. However, then comes the pressure to buy the appropriate gear (Shoes, hat, equipment yada yada yada) and the cost of fuel etc to travel to that place since you obviously cannot be seen using public transport.
The only things left progressively become more expensive. For example golfing and travelling etc.
Which is why, broke guys like me and others at large get into relationships. The fact that talk is cheap is known to us since the time the phrase was invented at a kitty party in Croydon, back when butlers in penguin suits were still considered posh. Also, it is very easy to find wiggle room. Don't went to spend on going for a movie? Just say - oh you know i like staying indoors its so nice and cosy (Win!). Don't want to spend money gaming? Just say - i think those violent games are very damaging to people's social psyche. Don't want to cook for a big dinner? Just say - why dont we do a pot lunch? That way everyone can bring something and we can all share! Dont want to do fulltime gymming? Just say - Oh i love going for long walks! Isn't the weather lovely?
Thanks to the lovely feminist movement that has taken over, men don't even have to pretend to take care of women anymore. It is perhaps the single biggest reason why a traditionally patriarchal society has made enough space for the women's independence card to become loud and active. All the dinners, texting, phonecalls and dates still prove cheaper than a passionate hobby.
Plus the inherent possibility of free sex. Since everything else is becoming more and more expensive, it is obvious that there is greater focus on being in relationships. That way,you can mooch off the other person while getting additional perks and an upgraded social status. It is perhaps, the best deal ever conceived.
