The 5 things I do differently than my father

Don't get me wrong, my father is really my great example. In many ways. It's no coincidence that I chose to study the same subject, for example (English Language & Culture, which you usually don't do for the incredibly good job that is eagerly waiting for you afterwards). And even now that I've hit the Big 3-0 (I still find it hard to say that out loud), I notice that I often seek some sort of approval from my dad. Whether it's work-related, or a new jacket (although he doesn't really know much about that), or a discussion with friends... I often check how he, as a retiree, feels about it. But there are also many things that I do just a little differently. I like to tell myself that I've learned a lot from him, but with some things, I really do know better myself. But well, that stubbornness that sometimes leans towards know-it-all-ness, I definitely got from him.

1. I get less worked up about things
Or at least, an attempt at it. In the past, my brother and I often joked about it. ‘Think of your blood pressure’ was perhaps the most common phrase in our home. Because my father could, and still can, get so worked up about things that really aren't worth it at all. Getting extremely angry about things you can't control, like the weather. Or parking tickets. Oh, parking tickets... Yes, those really make the blood pressure rise. So I can't get worked up about that at all.

2. I want everything quickly, quickly, quickly
When I realize that I really need to go to the hairdresser, I want it done right away. Today, not tomorrow. Because then I get grumpy. And if the hairdresser has no space, I'll just dye it myself. I've seriously done that multiple times, resulting in green, red, orange, and yellow hair. I was quite hard-headed about it, but I'm working on unlearning that. In this regard, I could take a bit more from my father. He always sighs whether ‘it really needs to be done right now’ (YES), and he is right that it often turns out very badly. On the other hand, I think he types way too slowly on a keyboard, so I can definitely do that much better.

3. I can't handle money
At least, that's what I think. Or well, I can handle it well enough. But a dinner on a Tuesday where you easily spend fifty euros per person... That's not entirely foreign to me. I just love socializing and eating, I always tell myself. My father does that a lot more cleverly; he and my mother just eat at home during the week. They hardly ever go out to eat. Which easily leaves a good budget for all the vacations they take (they're still retirees, you know). As for saving money — or spending it on the right things —, I can definitely learn a bit more. Life is too short to drink bad wine, my friend and I decided a long time ago, but with our drinking habits, that also adds up quite a bit...

4. ‘Guilty pleasures’ absolutely exist in my vocabulary
Without any form of shame, I stumble through the pub, singing loudly along to songs like ‘Leef’ or any song by Marco Borsato. I genuinely think it's a lot of fun. My father, on the other hand, is a bit of a pretentious type when it comes to music. Don't get me wrong, I can enjoy his music too; James Taylor, Emmylou Harris, Beatles, all good. But conversely, I notice that there's a lot of misunderstanding. It's often labeled as ‘noise’. I find that silly. Okay, with ‘Leef’ I can still understand that the whole pub atmosphere contributes to the charm of the song... But Marco B? Margherita? Wereld Zonder Jou? Is just really good music.

5. When it comes to food trends, I don't follow them all, but I am aware
Recently, I asked my father if he and my mother ever ate vegan at home. ‘Please don't say that. What is that anyway?’ Well, dad, that's when you eat without any animal products. ‘Oh no, what nonsense.’ Now, I'm not a fervent vegan either, but I do try to eat more vegetarian, and occasionally there is a vegan dish in there. My father prefers to have a steak, chicken, or a fresh fish every evening. Food trends are not for him. After ten years, he finally understands what the concept of 'shared dining' means, and even that he prefers not to do. Dad doesn’t share food., father and daughter embrace each other.