Monty and Mona, a couple living together since 2023, are locked in a dispute over lighting. Monty prefers using the main ceiling light, while Mona insists on keeping multiple lamps on for a cosy atmosphere. The disagreement has led to repeated cycles of Monty turning lamps off and Mona turning them back on, often without realising.
Monty, who works in events and travels frequently, finds it illogical to have several lamps on in a small room, especially when he is home. He argues that it wastes electricity and is environmentally unfriendly. However, he understands that Mona feels safer with the lamps on when he is away, and he is willing to accept the extra cost for her comfort.
Mona, who owns 11 lamps, says she loves soft mood lighting and grew up in a home where the main light was rarely used. She admits to having 'lamp blindness' and turning them on out of habit. When alone, she finds the lights comforting and cosy, but she acknowledges it is not energy-conscious and agrees to try to turn them off when Monty is home.
The couple seeks a compromise: Monty wants Mona to consider whether all lamps are needed when he is present, while Mona is unlikely to give up the habit entirely. Reader Katharine, 60, suggests checking energy consumption, noting that multiple lamps may use more power than one main light.
