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Wales memories |
Bon JournalMultilateral decision makingLemondrops
and I each knew two other people in the group very well. Gloria and Robert knew
only one other person very well. We got together in North Wales for a few days.
And it became clear that we were involved in multilateral decision making with
unknown or unfamiliar preferences.For most of the year, I travel on my
own. I make decisions on my own. I don't have to negotiate or compromise with
anyone else. To go on a trip with another person doubles the complexity of decision
making. Imagine trying to decide among four people in unfamiliar territory. None
of us had been to North Wales before. Lemondrops wanted to eat out, to
sample the local Welsh cuisine. I wanted to cook. Gloria and Robert were both
accommodating. Since we didn't know what was good, we had the first meal in. But
the kitchen proved too ill-equipped by Lemondrops' standards. So we drove an hour
the next evening in search of that famous seafood restaurant in Aberdaron, a place
recommended by the bartender of a local wine bar called the Electric Pengwin.On
the third day, my save-the-earth inclination made me want to cook the pork tenderloin
Lemondrops had chosen a few days before. We ended up in a compromise: I cooked
half of it Chinese style and she braised the other half.As for trekking
up Mount Snowdon, I was not in the mood. So Lemondrops and Gloria performed the
feat while Robert and I practised our duets.After three days of revealing
our preferences, exploring alternatives, and negotiating the final decisions,
I became mentally exhausted. I can now understand why travelling in groups only
works if there's a leader. Without one, we are all chiefs. It's much easier to
travel solo.1 August 2001 |
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