I learnt this the hard way myself. I used to give a friend informal financial advice (much like you did) for free. Many hours of advice, sitting with her going over things several times until it clicked. She used to do shiatsu massage. One time I asked her for a massage and she said no problem, I'll even give you mates rates.
When I pointed out that I'd given her free advice, she said to me 'hey, I didn't force you to do that, you did that of your own free will.' Now, I was pissed! But after a while, I realised she was right. She approached me a little while later looking for more advice. I told her I'd give it to her - at a price, with the money payable up front. Suddenly she didn't need any advice, lol.
Mark
I can relate to that. I'm a teacher and transfered to friends kids school. Their kid was struggling so I said send her to me 2 mornings a week and I'd tutor her. I did this for 6 months. No mention of it by the parents.
Next year, first day of school they send her to me. Sorry no time this year.
I also helped another friends child (free tutoring) at my home one afternoon a week for months. Tax time. I asked if her hubby (accountant) could do my tax. She replied yes but we don't do discounts, that's our business. No more tutoring (that's my business- I could be charging $50 for that.
i blame the parents. for her to make such an impression there must be an awful lack in the rest of society.
it doesn't take much to add please and thankyou to the vocabulary - and it makes such a difference.
So true. It IS sad that we are surprised when someone has good manners. I'm a teacher and we talk about it all the time (how to improve manners etc) but the truth is, if it doesn't come from home, no amount of teacher prompting will make it ingrained. Sure, they might say thank you at school (because they have to) but it's not automatic.
I'm going out to by my PM a box of chockies tomorrow. Sure he's been doing his job but he has been working hard to save me a lot of heartache with winging tenants. He deserves more than just his commission and I want to let him know.
I have a wonderful friend who has a desk full of little gifts. If she sees someone upset or if she thinks you need a thank you she randomly hands out these gifts. Wouldn't it be great if everyone were like that!
Last year I had friendship week in my class as the children were arguing etc. Each day they were supposed to give someone a compliment. They ALL failed (only 6-7 years old but still). I was VERY disappointed. Why is it so hard to give compliments. It really made me think. Now I make a point of giving at least one compliment every day.