Originally posted by Li Ka Shing:
Case 2.
You have reserved a $40 ticket to watch a play at the Esplanade. As you went to the counter to pay, you realize you have lost $40 from your wallet. Will you now spend $40 for the ticket you reserved? (Assuming you have enough cash left to do so)
If by means of reserving, the ticket can be withheld by the management if you don't show up for it, and you would get away scot-free.
Compared to the first scenario, the lost of your $40 is not related to the play at all because you still have the ticket up for grabs. If I'd lost $80 one year ago, or $50 six months ago, or $20 one month ago, or $10 one week ago, or $5 several days ago, this should not affect my decision, even then it is just several hours ago.
If you want to feel pitiful over it, might as well make something out of it by doing something that will lift your sorrows... go watch the play, spending another $40, even though it is ANOTHER, it doesn't matter, as at then end of the day, if the play is really so good, you'd not be thinking about your loss either...