Another questionable entry from Life's Little Instruction Calender

[eleneariel]

Never hesitate to ask a friend for a favor. That's what friends are for.

???

I think I agree with the first part, but not the second. My friends--I hope--do not value my friendship merely (or primarily) for what favors I might be able to grant them.

Agree? Disagree? Discuss.

Anybody ever heard of a sticky wicket?

Comments

Whatever!

[http://users.livejournal.com/_haydee_/]

I personally keep you around solely for the purpose of USING YOU whenever I might be needy.

What's a sticky wicket?

Re: Whatever!

[eattheolives.livejournal.com]

At least we both understand the relationship. =)

I'm not sure I grasp sticky wickets yet. I was only recently introduced to them, see.

[melyndie.livejournal.com]

Hey, Marie, would you mind looking up something for me? I didn't have a librarian friend before, but when I found out you were one, I knew I had to befriend you. I knew you'd be resourceful!

[eattheolives.livejournal.com]

You know, in all seriousness, I honestly don't mind helping out friends with whatever resources/skills I have access to because of where I work. What I do mind are people who are not my friends--barely even aquaintences--walking up to me at church or the grocery store and talking to me for the sole purpose of asking me to renew their books or check their fines. Excuse me! Do I look like I can telepathically take care of your library business when I am not, in fact, in the library? Don't expect me to remember to renew your books next time I go to work. Half the time I can't even renew my own!

/ rant

[melyndie.livejournal.com]

I've noticed that kind of thing with people in other professions too. Someone mentions they are a doctor, and people say, "I have this funny spot on my elbow. Here, can you take a look at it?" Someone mentions they work at Best Buy, and people say, "Hey, do you get an employee discount there, hint hint?" Someone mentions they pour concrete for a living, and people say, "I have a driveway that needs paving. Maybe you could come over on the weekend...?"

Really. People are more than resources!

I agree with you.

[misshoneybee.livejournal.com]

I agree.

I've heard of a sticky wicket, but I'm not really sure what it means. (I looked up wicket, and it could mean a door, window, gate for water to come through, the hoop in croquet, etc.) Seems most likely to mean a door that sticks. *shrugs*

[radiantlove.livejournal.com]

heh. I don't necessarily agree. Part of it must be related to how frequently favors are perceived to be needed, and part of it seems like it would be connected to how close a friend a person is... *shrug*

Yes! I used to play with sticky wickets! :-) They're pretty cool... Haven't thought about them for ages ;-)

[ransomedsea.livejournal.com]

There is some author (RLS, Twain, somebody) who said never ask a friend for a favor, as you never want to be in debt to a friend on account of it possibly ruining the relationship.

I wish I kept quotes somewhere safe instead of in my head, where they are bound to get lost.

[eattheolives.livejournal.com]

I wouldn't go quite that far (to never ask a friend for a favor), but a balance needs to be had between the two to keep a good relationship!