I keep thinking about writing a post on the problem of commodification of relationships.

Basically we all know "the customer is always right" - which really just means that the business owner can't compel, only persuade the customer to buy, the customer always has veto power and freedom to go elsewhere with the transaction. (And yes, this does mean some customers go insane, thinking they can make insane demands which no business can possibly fulfill.)

But this doesn't really work if you want real relationships - romantic or platonic. To forge something real requires compromise from both parties. Too many people have gotten used to social media and apps giving the illusion that they are a customer and always right when it comes to relationships. So rather than swallow their ego, they just go looking elsewhere for "another store" that's more accommodating.

The problem as ever is that you can't have anything real with that mentality. Nobody with the attitude that you're replaceable will bother coming to your funeral.