What do you want from the bank?

Titus is a young rich bachelor who is known for being a very cheerful giver. He is at present courting three beautiful girls and he believes it's high time for him to settle down and get married. After listening to the song Eminado by Tiwa Savage and Don Jazzy he came up with a test that would help him determine which of his three prospects would be the best marriage material.  His favourite part of the song is when Don Jazzy asks “what do you want from the bank?”. An idea came to him that this will be a good criteria to help him in making a decision. He decides to put a phone call to each of the girls, telling them that he just arrived at the banking hall and asks them what they wanted from the bank. The answer to this question should tell Oga Titus a lot about the suitability of the girlfriend for marriage. Or would it?

Prospect number one called Charity did not even wait for him to finish the question before asking whether the amount is in Naira, Pounds or Dollars.  When he said Naira, she boldly replied she can manage anything from 50 million. From her reply he perceives this one is not here for the long term, she only wants to bleed him dry at the earliest opportunity and definitely not marriage material. She is not thinking of him as a partner and is only in the relationship for what she can get for herself. He believes she views this as her one opportunity to “hammer” and is grabbing it with both hands. Then again she has shown that she can be bold and aggressive and an ambitious go-getter, qualities a lot of people expect in the modern wife. He is also flattered that she thinks he is worth in excess of the amount she has quoted. On second thought, was she just joking or pulling his legs? which reasonable person would ask for such an amount even if it is Dangote that asked you?

Prospect number two called Faith is quite excited and feels over the moon at being asked. She requested for a very specific 1.5 million Naira. She is definitely a reasonable person who although wants the good things of life is not with him just for the money or material gains. She sees a future with him and would want something for herself now but also leave enough for them to share in the future. However, he is puzzled she gave him what he thought was a well rehearsed and specific amount. Does she have a pressing issue that this amount will solve?  If that is the case he wondered why she is not sharing her issues with him. On the other hand, if she was so good why did she even ask for any money? What she may deem as reasonable may be excessive after all she does not know the size of his bank account.

Prospect number three called Hope was totally non-committal. Though grateful for being asked, blatantly refused to give an amount and told him to use his "church mind". He tried to push her into saying an amount but the lady wasn’t one for pushing. This one sent his mind into overdrive. Is she for real? who in Nigeria does not like awoof?  This one looks like a keeper, she will do whatever he pleases and leaves the decision making to him. She is not extravagant or materialistic and will make do with whatever she is given. She also seems to be well brought up and not too forward. Then again, is it just a ploy? when someone tell you to use your “church mind” it's almost like saying “give me what you think I’m worth”. In most cases, people who leave you to your own discretion seem to get more. So is she playing a very tactical game? Is she showing him her good side while they are courting only for her to show the real her when he puts a ring on it? Maybe this shows she lacks ambition and would be docile and show too much deference in a marriage. If the going gets tough will she be able to hustle or will she always look to him to provide the daily bread whatever the weather.

A harmless question can tell you a lot about the thinking of people however what we make of their responses should tell us much more about ourselves.