As far as I'm concerned it's a matter of giving versus taking. For instance, I will happily offer a lift (including via lots of places which are "on my way" only because I've decided that I want to give that gift). But if I am required to take that person I will be a lot more reluctant, because they are forcing their desires on me. If it's a straightforward financial (or barter) transaction, then the ideal is that both sides think that they have gained by it, if that doesn't happen then there is resentment. And a gift is a variation of the same thing -- my gift to you makes you happy, and that is my reward, and I think that I've come off best in that transaction.
If I pass a busker or street artist, I will likely give some money, no matter how bad they are at it. I remember an old man who used to walk one of the London bridges playing a mouth-organ, the same song all the ime, badly. I gave him money, because in his own way he was making a gift of what he could do. Ones who just say "give me money", no (I will, on occasion, if they say they want money for food, offer to take them to a cafe, they usually refuse because they don't actually want food they want the money for booze or drugs).
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branchandroot
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Date: 2005-08-23 03:15 pm (UTC)If I pass a busker or street artist, I will likely give some money, no matter how bad they are at it. I remember an old man who used to walk one of the London bridges playing a mouth-organ, the same song all the ime, badly. I gave him money, because in his own way he was making a gift of what he could do. Ones who just say "give me money", no (I will, on occasion, if they say they want money for food, offer to take them to a cafe, they usually refuse because they don't actually want food they want the money for booze or drugs).