You never expect what a friend can request from you. Last Friday, my friend Joe requested that I go with him to choose a set of chairs for his living room. “Don't you realize that I am the worst person you could ever choose?” I told to him. “I want your honest opinion from you,” he replied. But I perfectly knew that he was lying. He only needed a friend to support his choice, no matter what it was.
Knowing that, we ventured to the furniture store. We went to a little vintage store in Cambridge called “De Sousa's Chairs”, the specialized store that has survived uncountable economic crises and has passed from parents to children. In its shop window, there were four plain chairs, elegant but simple. I wondered whether Joe was looking for this style, since it didn't match him.
Inside the store, a mish-mash of different styles of chairs greeted the eye, leaving only a small corridor to walk. Going inside, we saw the owner. A kind old man -I guessed in his 70s- full of chair expertise staring at us with a tender smile. Then, while Joe started describing his desired type of chair, I wandered around the enigmatic store without listening to the conversation. I knew that I would agree to the chosen chair, despite my real preference.
Suddenly, I heard a subtle noise, like a whisper, coming from the end of the store. I saw a little basic brown wooden chair, the classic one that we all have in mind. “Don't be afraid of me”, the chair whispered, “I am a lonely baby chair.” After my initial surprise, I asked -let's say- him how a chair could talk. He explained that even though all chairs have the ability to talk, they were so disappointed in humans' bad response when the chairs had once talked that they preferred to be quiet. On the contrary, he wanted to speak to someone because he didn't understand why nobody wanted to buy him. “My parents told me that some years ago, our model was the most sold in the United States and I should continue my family's legacy. But I do not know how!” the chair exclaimed and then he started to describe people's preferences.
“So far, I've seen that people like 3 different types of chairs: the fanciest-but-do-not-know-how-to-sit, the golden-but-do-not-touch-me, and the-IKEA-but-everyone-has-one.
The first model is the favorite for young rich people. These wealthy couples who both work in financial sector, live together and want to decorate their new apartment. They are looking for 'something different'. In other words, they want to waste their latest paycheck on the most expensive and trendiest chair, despite knowing neither whether it will match the other furniture nor how to sit in it because it is too 'trendy'. However, they are happy with their fancy chair.
The second model is the perfect match for the middle aged couple. With their children settled down, they want to start spending money only for themselves again. So, it's the time to renew the furniture. They are looking for 'something different'. What they have in mind is this ornamental rococo chair, definitely handmade to be so unique that no one is permitted to be seated on it. When they spend money, they want others to be conscious of the cost. Thus, they are happy with their luxurious chair.
The last model is suitable for young in love couples who want to share an apartment the first month of having met. They want to update the house decoration according to their style. They are looking for 'something different'. Or, to clarify, they want the nicest and cheapest chair. No matter if it won't last long; neither will their love. They are happy with their one-use chair.”
“Therefore, where are these people who really appreciate the classic but elegant style?” asked the baby chair. Then I suggested, “What you have to do is go abroad. Be international. The national market is not enough for you. Take your luggage and expand your style. I bet you will have success.” And when I was advising my little friend, I saw Joe carrying some black and white minimalist chair.
“Look what I got! It's the ultimate model on the market!” he shouted. I guess he's one of the first group.
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