Personalization v. Personal: A Story of Two Couples
Paola & Craig: Personalization
Paola: This weekend is Ryan’s friend’s birthday party. We met her at the park last week. Remember?
Craig: Yeah, I remember. She was really nice. What do you think we should get her?
Paola: Oh, I don’t know. We can stop at the liquor store on the way to the party and grab a nice bottle of wine, I guess.
Craig: That’s a good idea. I think “BottleBusters” is having a sale tomorrow. We’ll get a Chardonnay or something on sale. Everybody drinks white these days.
Paola: Perfect. I’ll pick up a card later while I’m out. Do you remember her name?
Craig: Um. . . Caitlyn, I think.
Paola: Good lord. Really? There are like 20 ways to spell that. Kaitlyn, Katlyn, Caitlynn, Katelyn, Kaitlynn. . . .
Craig: I think K-A-T-L-Y-N is the one I’ve seen the most. Let’s make the card out with that. I am sure she’s used to people getting the spelling of her name wrong.
Paola: I guess. We probably won’t see her again, anyway. We don’t even see Ryan all that much. It’ll be fine.
Mika & Kyle: Personal
Mika: This weekend is Ryan’s friend’s birthday party? We met her at the park last week. Remember?
Kyle: Yeah, I remember. She was really nice. What do you think we should get her?
Mika: Oh, Let me think . . . . I remember talking to her for a bit at the park and we hit on food. Turns out she really loves to cook.
Kyle: Then she probably loves wine. We could get her a nice bottle.
Mika: Funny thing, I asked her about wine and cooking and, it turns out, she doesn’t drink. So what about getting her that non-stick omelet pan I bought a few weeks ago. It’s really great, and it’s not all that expensive.
Kyle: Perfect. Order it online right away so we get it in time. I’ll pick up a card later while I’m out. Do you remember her name?
Mika: Yes, it’s Katelyn, like my niece, but she spells it K-A-T-E-L-Y-N. My niece spells it with a “C.”
Kyle: So we’re good, then. I’ll get the pan, you get the card and write something nice.
When Paola and Craig arrived with their fancily wrapped bottle of on-sale wine, Katelyn nodded a thank you and told them to put it on the table in the kitchen with the other wine bottles.
Mika and Kyle were invited the next weekend for a sumptuous brunch of omelets and croissants.
And that is how “Personal” beats “Personalization” every time, in every way.
