Curse

Mrscoombes · Aug 21, 2006, 12:02 PM // 12:02

I was going around doing an experiment the other day. I have quite a bit of money, and quite a bit to spare for generally unnecesary things. So yesterday I went out to a zoo. I took with me a 5 pound note. I went up to randomly picked strangers and offered them the 5 pounds note. When they said no, which all of them did, I asked them why and I remember each and every response. Nearly all of them were: "You don't just give things away."

Now to me it seemed odd that someone would be wary of something that is given freely. Does this portray the world we live in as a whole? Is it somehow absurd that someone would give you a 5 pound note? God forbid I tried to give away 10 pounds. One person asked what the catch was, which rather depressed me.

My conclusion is: Society sucks, all humanity fails at life, we must all kill ourselves. Have a nice day.

extra bacon · Aug 21, 2006, 12:03 PM // 12:03

have a nice suicide, see you in the morning.

Cebe · Aug 21, 2006, 12:18 PM // 12:18

Bacon don't be mean...it'll be your fault if there's no Coombes tomorrow.

Which zoo did you go to? I'd gladly take your money!

And I know it's wierd....I don't think it's wrong not to accept money from a stranger, but it is wierd. I would probably feel uncomfortable if you did come up to me and offered me money (although feel free to if we pre-organise it!!) because there would be one/all of three thing going through my head:
1. Why?
2. Can they afford it?
3. Do I really look that poor?
I know I don't like unusual occurances...like when someone trys to stop me to ask me questions in the street - happens all the time in Inverness now and it's pissing me off frankly. I wouldn't be too disheartened - If something is unusual or strange people are always hesitant and, I for one, will always say "no" until I find out all the facts...

tommarrow · Aug 21, 2006, 02:21 PM // 14:21

If you had stood outside of the zoo and handed out free tickets to get in I'm sure you would have given away every one.

AquilaI · Aug 21, 2006, 02:26 PM // 14:26

Haha, It just reminds me of an incident in Aberystwyth, Wales (where I go to uni) Where a guy randomly shouted 'WHO WANTS FREE MONEY' and threw several thousand pounds into the air.- This was on the news a bit ago, so you may have heard it if you live in the UK....
...I just wish I was in Aber at the time lol

Cebe · Aug 21, 2006, 02:26 PM // 14:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by tommarrow

If you had stood outside of the zoo and handed out free tickets to get in I'm sure you would have given away every one.

'Tis a good point

I would feel wierd taking money off people, I feel wierd taking money off my own parents, which I know is stupid, but since I am technically "independant" now it seems different. Money is kinda a personal thing, something someone had generally worked to earn themselves, and something a lot of people try to save for security. An object on the other hand is different....i bet you could have easily given the tickets away if they cost £10+ much faster than hard £5 notes!

Inde · Aug 21, 2006, 02:47 PM // 14:47

It could also be based on where you live, now I hate to bring this up but if you recall our donate-a-dollar event for Arenanet, it was very widely and popularly received in America, Poland, and the UK. A few complaints here and there. But can I honestly tell you that the French and Germans were not only mostly appalled but very distrustful. Why give money to a company? Why do they deserve it? How do we know the person won't just take our money? Why give them something for free? (And a few choice conspiracies.) So it could very much be based on culture, where you live (city? rural area?), and so forth.

I pwnd U · Aug 21, 2006, 03:26 PM // 15:26

Congrats on saving yourself some money. Anyways id have to agree, i would of said no as well as i do not just take things. I dont trust random people giving away money.

Lou · Aug 21, 2006, 04:42 PM // 16:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mrscoombes

I was going around doing an experiment the other day. I have quite a bit of money, and quite a bit to spare for generally unnecesary things. So yesterday I went out to a zoo. I took with me a 5 pound note. I went up to randomly picked strangers and offered them the 5 pounds note. When they said no, which all of them did, I asked them why and I remember each and every response. Nearly all of them were: "You don't just give things away."

Now to me it seemed odd that someone would be wary of something that is given freely. Does this portray the world we live in as a whole? Is it somehow absurd that someone would give you a 5 pound note? God forbid I tried to give away 10 pounds. One person asked what the catch was, which rather depressed me.

My conclusion is: Society sucks, all humanity fails at life, we must all kill ourselves. Have a nice day.

Go downtown hold up a 5 dollar bill and you'll be dead on the street in 5 seconds.

milias · Aug 21, 2006, 05:50 PM // 17:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mrscoombes

Now to me it seemed odd that someone would be wary of something that is given freely. Does this portray the world we live in as a whole? Is it somehow absurd that someone would give you a 5 pound note? God forbid I tried to give away 10 pounds. One person asked what the catch was, which rather depressed me.

Heh, that sounds a little pessimistic, in my opinion. It's not about whether it's hard to give away money (and believe you me, it's not hard), it's really about people's perceptions. People tend to base their decisions on past experience and what is considered "normal" in a society. There're "normal" channels for giving away money, as in charities or giving to the homeless, etc. If the means by which you give away money (or anything else for that matter) does not conform to society norms, people are going to be curious or even suspicious of your motives. Most people are lead to believe that there is no free lunch, which may very well be the case.

Now let's look at the reason behind why you wanted to give away the money. Apparently, I can't speak for you, but it seems to me it was to satisfy your own curiosity and because you were probably bored. You did get a response, just not the response you wanted; however, you did get your money/effort's worth, in that you did elicit a response from people, whether it's the one you wanted or not. It could also be that you wanted to feel better (i.e. less depressed

) by giving away your bounty, which you were unable to do, much to your chagrin, that you couldn't make yourself feel better in the process. In my opinion, it's not that society failed you, it's rather because you had an unrealistic view of that society, perhaps blinded by your own motives in carrying this out in the first place.

In conclusion, I'd like to say that since I am not you, obviously I cannot speak for you. What I said above are my own conjectures only, based on the information you have provided, so please feel free to correct me if my interpretations are incorrect in any way.

Mrscoombes · Aug 21, 2006, 07:20 PM // 19:20

To be honest I think it's the world as a whole. The harsh and slightly unnatural way we live our lives has sort of chizzled(sp?) some sort of distrust into our minds. I know this sounds typical conspiracy madman but what the heck. I reckon it's the governments fault. I reckon if we had just stuck to foraging in fields with rags/nothing on, we would of been fine. But no, we just had to denaturalize ourselves and that it what fueled the whole unfriendly 'WHOAH HE WANTS TO GIVE ME MONEY, I BETTER REFUSE BECAUSE HE MUST BE A PSYCHO' thing going on. I also live on the Isle of Wight btw, we aren't generally known for troubles going on, google it if you've never heard of us.

Alias_X · Aug 21, 2006, 07:33 PM // 19:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by tommarrow

If you had stood outside of the zoo and handed out free tickets to get in I'm sure you would have given away every one.

True.

Mrscoombes · Aug 21, 2006, 07:38 PM // 19:38

Lol guys dont worry i'm not "Emo" or any of that, it simply got me down about the responses. The reason I did the experiment was because, as I stated in the original post, I have quite a bit of money to spare. Although I didn't really make it clear. Milias your analysis was quite correct, I enjoyed reading it.

Malice Black · Aug 22, 2006, 01:01 AM // 01:01

i wouldnt have taken the money either..

1. i dont need money
2. is it real?
3. dont wanna look poor
4. is it stolen?
5. are they in a fit state to know/understand what they are doing

some reasons

Sandblasted Skin · Aug 22, 2006, 01:13 AM // 01:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mrscoombes

I reckon it's the governments fault. I reckon if we had just stuck to foraging in fields with rags/nothing on, we would of been fine

Not to rag on you but have read any history? People have been waging war and killing each other as far back as anybody can tell basicly because of distrust. Many wars have started because somebody thought that the other person might attack them and they would be better off attacking first to get the element of suprise. It is the nature of humans to think that because we value something that somebody else values it as much as we do. We all know there are people out there that will steal and rob us but we just don't know who they are and therefore it is safer to distrust anybody we don't know.

This will not change in any of our lifetimes and its best if we don't dwell to much on it. Just live your life as you see fit.

My opinion would be to always follow the golden rule "do unto others as you would have them do unto you". As this will truly make you a great person.

Don't worry be happy!!

I R Chewy · Aug 22, 2006, 04:41 AM // 04:41

i want your money... <_<