SELF-SERVING BIAS

18/10/09

WEEK EIGHT: RETIREMENT

Yesterday was Diwali, a Hindu festival celebrated with lights. As with all Hindu festivals there are a number of legends are related to Diwali commonest being the homecoming of Lord Rama after victory over the demon Rawana. It is celebrated on the darkest day of lunar month Amawasya.

We had a lot of fun with fireworks and the feast that followed with traditional vegetarian cuisine. I had too many sweets, felt a bit guilty but only till the next dish came along. I told my self that I would not take any sugar in my tea and coffee for this month. This should restore the balance. I take one spoonful of sugar with my drinks and on average I take 5.5 cups a day. I looked at the internet (where else!) to find the weight of a teaspoonful of sugar. It is 4.2 gms. So I will be offsetting 4.2*5.5*30 = 693 gms of sugar. This is a lot of sugar. This will allow me another piece of Ladoo.

How easily we believe in something which seems to be supporting our behaviour and condoning our excesses. I think it is called self serving bias. In reality eating a bit of less sugar over a period of time does not compensate for binge candy eating. This self-serving bias is very common. I am sure everyone has come across people who take all the credit when things go well but blame someone else they do not.

Anyway I am sticking to this plan and not going to take sugar for the next 30 days. Now I am going to have some leftover sweets. I only promised for sugarless hot drinks!

See you soon.