Gransnet forums

Chat

Page 4 of 4 | First | Previous | Next | Last
| Flip | Customise |

Are you a Giver or a Taker?

(79 Posts)
Add comment | Report
MawsRosie Thu 04-Jun-26 11:42:50

I’m sure we would all like to think of ourselves as ‘Givers’ as it is clearly the better thing to be - but isn't it also sometimes easier to give than to take -or accept graciously? And harder still to ask?
I have some dear friends who are clearly Givers and I am eternally grateful for their kindness.
There are also some who sadly are Takers, but such good company that I can be happy to ignore the fact that I am always the one to suggest, invite, make the first move.
So I reckon I am a Giver, happy to help in an emergency, make chicken soup for a friend with flu, go shopping for one less mobile and offer to drive if friends are meeting up.
Is kindness its own reward?
And it’s hard to ask the occasional favour of Takers eg being driven to a hospital appointment when told not to drive, ask for a lift to the station because the parking is impossible.
I know they will help if they can and maybe don’t ever see the problem but it’s so much easier to offer than to ask, isn’t it?

Add comment | Report
Doodledog Sun 07-Jun-26 08:29:49

dogsmother

Well as I’ve had my birthday this week and the only cards I received were from family bar two, I know what I am due to how many I send.

Did you send them in the hope of getting back? If so, you aren’t giving, so much as putting pressure on the recipients to join in with card-sending.

Many people no longer send cards. They are expensive to buy, the cost of postage is high, and there are other ways of showing that you care about someone (arguably much more important than a mass-produced bit of card can do).

If sending cards make you happy, then obviously send them - but I don’t think there’s any reason to feel hurt if others don’t do the same. They aren’t ‘taking’ - you are sending them, so you aren’t
‘due’ anything.

Add comment | Report
Cera Sun 07-Jun-26 10:00:10

I am a grateful receiver, and a giver who doesn’t give to receive.
The people you give to don’t always return the favour, but the people you receive from are people who appreciate you.

Add comment | Report
Oreo Sun 07-Jun-26 10:07:24

I am both, at times.
I do plenty of giving to friends and family but an happy when it’s given back.
I think it’s gracious to be pleased when help or gifts are given.

Page 4 of 4 | First | Previous | Next | Last
| Flip | Customise |