Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Would you sell your neighbor a cup of sugar?
There are some things in our culture that are usually given rather than sold. One of these is basic knowledge. Knowledge is freely given. If I ask my father-in-law how to plant corn then he’ll tell me. I don’t have to pay him for that information and I would be very surprised if he asked for money. If I’m looking for the Alhambra Theatre and I ask a random Joe on the street, he’ll give me the location and he’ll probably do it happily. Does the free-sharing of knowledge have limits? What are the other things in our culture that are usually given instead of sold?
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What about affection? love? kindness? all of those virtues, can't be bought, right?! They wouldn't exist without sincerity!
ReplyDeleteI would say most knowledge is given, but what about college or some sort of adviser (counselor, lawyer, accountant, engineer, etc)....
It seems to me that people charge for about anything these days, but like love, not everything can truly be purchased.
I would tell you that the Alhambra when out of business years ago, but that it is next to V&S Variety. Wait, that also went out of business years ago.
ReplyDeleteI think that a great thing that is usually given and not sold is true friendship. It's like the Tracy Lawance song says "You find out who you're friends are
Somebody's gonna drop everything
Run out and crank up their car
Hit the gas get there fast
Never stop to think 'what's in it for me' or 'it's way too far'
They just show on up with their big old heart
You find out who you're friends are."
That was Jason, not Sara
ReplyDeleteohhhh knowledge is supposed to be free. I guess your salary is for the babysitting aspect of teaching and not the knowledge giving? j/k
ReplyDeleteIt seems to me that most physical things can be either given or sold depending on the decision of the person with ownership. I COULD charge my neighbor for a cup of sugar but then I'd be a jerk. (unless I'm a 5 year old with a lemonade stand and then it's cute because I just want to go to Disneyland and everyone in the neighborhood feels happy to help me.) I guess our culture determines our expectations of what things should be given and what should be sold--like the place where if someone compliments your tie, you're supposed to give it to them.
Also, if you ask directions to the Alhambra, it will start with "OK. You know where Purple Turtle is, right?" Because Purple Turtle is the center of the universe.
ReplyDeleteBecoming the center of the universe cannot be bought or sold. It's not like Purple Turtle is gonna say "hey, you used our building as a landmark to give directions to the Alhambra. Please give me $5" and they won't pay you $5 for making them famous either.
Or for mentioning them on our blog.
I guess publicity CAN be bought, but in Pleasant Grove it is NOT usually paid for.
Also I never charge my neighbors for picking up their newspaper (and reading it myself) when they're out of town. But if I were a 12 year old, they'd pay me to feed their cats and water their plants.... I guess I agree with Katy.
Maybe society bases what they'll pay you for on how cute you are....they won't pay me (and I wouldn't ask them to) to pick up their paper, but if I were still a cute little girl they would.
Whoa, my comment was as long (or longer) than your blog. Sorry.
ReplyDeleteAdvice. It is always given freely (except in the case of psychiatrists and consultants). The unfortunate thing with this is that you could even promise to PAY a person not to give it to you and they would still resist.
ReplyDelete