Asking Favors

Okay, we as human beings are social creatures, no doubt about that. As social creatures, there comes times when we need help from other people.
In society, other people's help or services usually comes with a price:: some want payment in cash, others want some sort of relationship in exchange:: friendship, marriage, etc.

Now, there comes a time when we need to ask someone to help us in a way that we know we'll find difficult or even impossible to repay. THIS, is known as a favor. It could be as simple as lending a pencil, or sponsoring a couple of dollars for some function, for example.

HOW, do we go around asking a favor? This will be my topic of discussion... Let's not be naive now my little boys & girls, NOBODY readily helps another without expecting something in return. Buddhists call it karma. Christians call it collecting merits for heaven. Even if you just do it for that warm feeling you get in your heart (or belly) isn't that feeling itself 'something in return'?

When asking a favor, the keyword is ATTITUDE.
1. We do NOT make the request sound like the person is obligated to help us. If they want to help, fine. If not, stop asking.

2. Be polite! Even if that person is somehow bound to some invisible rule saying he or she HAS to help you at all costs, the least you could do is show some manners. It makes what the person has to do much, much easier.

3. Insulting a person won't bring you any positive effects. Trust me, you're better of just walking away. It could very well save you a friendship.

4. I know that sometimes you might need the favor because you're organizing something/swamped with something, and is feeling stressed. That does NOT make it alright or give you the excuse to be rude. Don't you think the beggars on the street are tired as well? Are they rude when asking for loose change?

5. NEVER, EVER make comparisons about how and to what extend other people are helping you. That's THEIR choice, not the person you're requesting help from. Putting pressure on your potential helpers gets you no where.

6. In the end, just be polite, k? I can't stress this enough. I've made this mistake many times as well. Asking people for help is like asking a customer to purchase your goods/services. Treat them as such.

Now, i'm not saying i'm perfect. In fact, i'm far from it. But at the very least i know that being a prick gets you no where. Trust me, i've learnt this through many, many trials.

(oh, & btw, i WAS prepared to sponsor money. Between 100 to 200 roubles in fact. Ask my roommates. But the very fact that you requested for the donation in such a rude manner, no less set a freaking LIMIT [who sets a minimum limit for sponsorships at RM15 for students?] is what turned me off. Yes, i'm selfish, but only because you labeled me as such because i was just questioning the limit posed. I didn't reject you outright did i? i was even going to go over & give you the money. Doesn't matter now though. YOU WERE RUDE. live with it.)