Experience has Nothing to do with it
[QUOTE=Videoxxman;3155125]Well I don't play a lot so I am not as experienced as many on this board, and you know who you are. But as a human I will admit to having a soft heart and try to help those less fortunate.
So you meet a provider and you hit it off. You actually take her out as she does not have the resources to experience concerts and even a meal at a good restaurant. But then come the calls, I really need to do laundry and need some quarters and transportation. Or I paid the rent last week but I'm in a bind and can you help. Or I'm out of food and the dogs have no food and oh by the way can you give me 20 or 30 after taking her to the grocery store and stocking her shelves.
But at 64 you feel good because you helped someone. But then you begin to think. And you realize maybe that you can't be a nice guy. Its a business relationship. As Charlie Scheen would say, you pay them to leave.
So do we become cold hard customers and take what we pay for. Do we keep hoping that we find a provider that will treat us with the respect that we want to treat them with.
Hope to hear from the sages that have been around the block more than me.
Thanks. Don.[/QUOTE]Being a good part of Humanity does. Paying them to leave or to leave you alone is also ok for those that hold the hobby creed close to the vest and it doesn't mean you don't have a heart. You and I don't hold the creed close as well as many of my friends on this board. Experience only helps in discerning the difference between giving and being taken. Even then a monger with a good heart has a tough time walking that line. I have been taken and still put myself in those situations with regret at times.
I have a very good provider friend who got very upset with me one day and asked me why I continued to help addict providers who didn't give two shits about me. She said I was a better person than that and I deserved better. I listened to her words of wisdom and sought out some counseling. In many ways she was correct. My constant behavior of trying to change some addict providers behavior drove her crazy. She didn't understand why guys saw unreliable addict junkies when good, honest, reliable providers like her were around. My actions combined with many mongers choices of cheap addict providers made her think she might as well relapse so she can expand her market share by getting the low dollar prices so many on this board seek out. I am working on changing my behavior, partially do to her insight. What many on this board will not admit to is many of us have some type of addictive behavior. Some here are hard core sex addicts but don't see any Addiction in themselves. That is one of the reasons some hobbyist's enable a drug addict because the hobbyist is some type of an addict themselves.
I have learned that sometimes giving and helping is better if focused in other areas than some addict provider. I am trying to channel my humanity in a different way. It doesn't change me it only has changed my behavior and choices. I think I always tried to help turn the next addict provider into what I was able to help Autumn Skyy with in realizing her true potential. Her loss to humanity was my loss and even when she was alive I was always trying to give back. She understood that, but my choices and actions still frustrated her at times.
So Don, the only advice I can give is to set your boundaries. The boundaries you set are your choice. Hold to those boundaries. Make them clear to those you are extending a helping hand. Re-evaluate the boundaries based on real experiences. You can't change who you are but you can modify your behavior. If you become a cold hearted customer that only takes or gives what you pay for that is your choice and nobody can blame or criticize you. It only means that is the boundary you established, it doesn't change who you are.
Building a Relationship (Within Reason)
[QUOTE=Untchbl;3155556]You have to set some sort of boundary for yourself, and be honest with them what that is. I know 3 providers on here that if they called I would drop what I was doing and come help them. They are established, have never taken advantage of me, and they always try and pay me for the help. I don't take it, because I don't mind helping. But I have boundaries and they are all respectful. They text and call me, but never to ask for money. If they ask for something it is usually car repair work, which I have offered in the past and told them if they need to let me know. I have also been helped by them when I was in a bind, its called friendship.
Sara, mmgeg, and kitkat. 3 of the best.[/QUOTE]I agree with Untchbl. You have to have guidelines! Most of us in this hobby, care about people. I too, have helped out a provider at times, and did not expect anything in return. But it's important that you THINK with the head on your shoulders, rather than the head between your legs. Some times that's easier said than done! Be resonabe, and be safe!
Lauda1978.
First and foremost to one and all, Happy Thanksgiving
[QUOTE=Sarag;3155200]When you look at what our provider makes ...they shouldn't need to ask for laundry money, dog food rent or anything else except the extreme emergency that's not your daily or normal expenses. No monger should ever be getting calls for assistance unless there's been a true friendship that has been developed and a true friendship is not one where they only call you when they need something.[/QUOTE]Today on a day we give thanks, I've been able to witness the true meaning of blessings and the kindness of others. Another provider is seriously ill and in need of assistance, BUT she didn't reach out to anyone, but rather a monger on the board reached out to others to facilitate ensuring the provider be able to enjoy the holiday as many of the rest of us will. And it was a thing of beauty to watch as good men and women with kind hearts step up to help.
This is an example of helping and not enabling and is a blessing to the recipient and those giving and this is why we give thanks.