I regret that this is a “missing missing reasons” letter, because my responses are different if the wife’s objections are:
> He’s going to kill himself doing this.
> This is an enormous money/time-suck.
> Legitimate moral/ethical objections.
> Personal distaste.
> Petty reasons about change/inconvenience.
> Controlling/he’s not allowed to have a life outside of her.
> Participation would irreparably change their marriage.
> Other people/animals would be harmed.
> Etc.
The nature of the “hobby” really does matter, in this case.
I’m naturally sympathetic to the idea of “I gave up something I loved in favor of adult responsibilities and raising a family, and now I want to enrich my retirement/empty-nest years by taking it up again” — but the degree of coyness in this letter is setting off alarm bells.
no subject
> He’s going to kill himself doing this.
> This is an enormous money/time-suck.
> Legitimate moral/ethical objections.
> Personal distaste.
> Petty reasons about change/inconvenience.
> Controlling/he’s not allowed to have a life outside of her.
> Participation would irreparably change their marriage.
> Other people/animals would be harmed.
> Etc.
The nature of the “hobby” really does matter, in this case.
I’m naturally sympathetic to the idea of “I gave up something I loved in favor of adult responsibilities and raising a family, and now I want to enrich my retirement/empty-nest years by taking it up again” — but the degree of coyness in this letter is setting off alarm bells.