|
  My friend, Jeff, received a guitar for his birthday. It's one of those nice ones that cost an arm and leg. His future father-in-law gave it to him. Jeff doesn't play guitar.
The other son-in-law in the family received one also. His is just as nice. He doesn't play either.
The father-in-law bought one for himself because he always wanted to learn the guitar. Then he figured the other males in the family should know how to play too. Henceforth, the situation.
When Jeff told me about his predicament, I felt like I was in a Larry David script. If this was an episode of Curb Your Enthusiasm or Seinfeld, it would be comparable to the "wife gave me a tie" or "son made me an ashtray" scenarios.
Let me explain.
 This could be you. If your kid makes you an ashtray in shop class, you use it. Not only that, but you display it prominently in the living room for anyone else to use it. If you don't smoke, you start, just so you can use this god-awful ashtray that looks like Nick Nolte after a night on the town.
If your father-in-law, or ever better, your future father-in-law gives you a guitar, especially an expensive one, you learn to play. No matter what. In fact, by the time the next major holiday comes around, you better be able to play a popular Dylan or Beatles tune by heart.
You may even consider giving a mini-recital. And if your brother-in-law got one too, be prepared with a guitar duet. If your father-in-law also has a guitar, get ready to go on tour within a year. Just the three of you.
And don't forget to take your tie and ashtray. |
Ross Cavins
Are you going to play drums or will Jeff have to draft one of the wives for that?
