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2010-5-30 05:58
Dear Economist:
I'm a 32-year-old American woman; I moved to Italy about five years ago and later applied for a master's programme at an Italian university. Average earnings for my BA in political science are low, so I wasn't missing out on much. My problems are two-fold: first, dating. Italy has the second-oldest population in the world. Seeing a single thirtysomething is like finding a unicorn. Eliminate men who live with their mothers, are chain-smokers, or are shorter than me, and I'm in a convent. Second, my Italian university has decided to reverse its previous decision to accept my American degree. I am being forced to re-earn an Italian BA, which could take a further year. I'd hate to turn down another degree, but can I handle another year's worth of pasta and enforced singledom? My current plan includes going to San Francisco upon my return, though I do have the choice of a semi-permanent job with Nike in the middle of nowhere. Or I could stay in Italy; but if I spend another year single, according to my mother, I will die alone. Crying in my cappuccino Dear Crying, You appear to be committed to staying in a country whose food, bureaucracy and dating scene do not suit you. Your judgment has been clouded by the sunk-cost fallacy: you hoped to get a master's degree, great food and an Italian paramour. Things didn't work out and you have wasted five years. You're only human if you want to waste another year or two, but you're making a mistake. Go home. As for your career, forget cash: the happiness literature suggests that a happy relationship and secure job are far more important. San Francisco is not famed for its excess of single straight men, but the demographics of the middle of nowhere are excellent, with many eligible bachelors. Your new life awaits. 亲爱的经济学家，
我是一个32岁的美国女人，大约5年前搬到意大利，后来在意大利的一所大学申请攻读硕士。我的政治学学士学位给我带来的平均收入很低，因此我也没损失多少。 我的问题有两方面：首先是约会。意大利是全球老龄化第二严重的国家。在这里，30多岁的单身男性简直是凤毛麟角。除去与母亲生活在一起的男性，剩下的要么是烟鬼，要么比我矮，我就像生活在修道院里。 其次，我的意大利大学决定取消之前的决定，不再接受我的美国学位。我被迫要重修一个意大利的学士学位，这可能又得多花上一年时间。 我不愿拒绝另一个学位，但我还能再忍受一年意大利面食和被迫的单身生活吗？ 我现在的计划包括，回国后前往旧金山，尽管我确实也可以选择在某个偏远的地方半永久性地为耐克(Nike)工作。或者我可以留在意大利；但如果我接下来的一年还是单身的话，用我妈妈的话说，我会孤零零地死去的。 喝着卡布奇诺哭泣的人 亲爱的哭泣的人： 你似乎决心留在一个食物、官僚作风和约会场景都不适合你的国家。沉没成本谬论影响了你的判断：你希望得到一个硕士学位、美食和一位意大利情人。然而现实并非像你想的那样，你浪费了5年时间。如果你想再浪费一两年，这不过是人之常情，但你错了。回家吧。 至于你的职业，忘记金钱吧：幸福文学提出，一段幸福的关系和一份安稳的工作更为重要。旧金山并不以单身可靠的男性过多而闻名，但这个偏远地方的人口统计状况却很棒，这里有许多合格的单身汉。你的新生活正等待着你。 译者/梁艳裳 |