It's the Ingratitude I don't Understand. Freebies are good!

[Arnie H]

The following is my opinion/observation/rant, or whatever you wish to call it. I am using it in the context of vaping here, but it is equally applicable to all areas of life.

As little children, our parents tell us we should say "thank you" or "no thanks" whenever we are given/offered something pro bono/for free/at no cost to us. This is because very small children, have no concept of social etiquette or politeness. This is something which seems to be learned/taught. The child's thinking is very matter of fact on the subject. All a child knows is someone has given them something (a toy, piece of candy, etc) and they cannot understand why this person seems to be waiting or expecting something in return. Why are they hanging around with their mouth open? Now that they have recieved the item, the giver needs to begone! Or otherwise make themselves scarce, so that they may enjoy our new thing in peace.

So why do we, as adults grumble/complain when a fellow vaper or a vendor gives us something for free or we win something? Whether it is a piece of advise/juice/a battery/a recipe/whatever. Whether it is a diamond ring or a steaming pile of horse manure. When we are offered something for free (with no actual strings attached) we have a choice to either accept it and say "thank you" or politely decline and say "no, thank you".

Once we have received our steaming pile of horse manure and given our thanks, is it not unseemly and kinda rude to go back to the person/vendor who gave us this steaming pile of horse manure and complain or grumble about our steaming pile of horse manure? Even if we are unsatisfied with our steaming pile of horse manure (ie, the aroma is not sufficiently revolting, there are not enough flies, it is no longer hot and fresh, etc.) is it proper to complain loudly?

Isn't this something you kinda have to take in stride? On the chin, as they say. Considering the price point and so forth. An example related to vaping might be when a vendor includes a free bottle of zero nic juice with your order and you happen to be an 18 mg vaper. It is of course human nature in this instance to be kinda upset, but how far should it be taken? How much importance should it be given?

Can't we just be grateful for things/ideas/knowledge we receive for free? (How many things are actually free in this world?)

Can't we just say thanks or no thanks and go about our business?

Must we grumble and complain and bemoan our plight?

This has happened to me as well, so I am far from immune. The temptation/though is always there.

 

[skoony]

as a wise man once said,"never look a gift horse in the mouth"

turning into my dad regards,
mike

 

[Cloud boy]

I guess some people are raised better than others, or have better manners as they grew up. People mostly grow up to how their parents taught them. If the parents are ungrateful SoBs, then there's a high chance their children would follow in their footstep. I'm not saying I'm better than others but when I'm given free stuff, i cannot suppress my inner child and smile lol. just my 2 cents.

 

[EvilZoe]

If this is because I said the sample juices that came with my ProVari weren't that good I hope I can be forgiven...lol I can't help my tastebuds being the way they are.

Of course, I didn't go back and complain to them about them.

 

[wheezal]

as a wise man once said,"never look a gift horse in the mouth"

to be fair, that's not where steaming piles of horse manure come from, so i'm not sure the adage applies

 

[EvilZoe]

to be fair, that's not where steaming piles of horse manure come from, so i'm not sure the adage applies

"Never look a horse's ... in the mouth"


Wait, that's not what you mean.....

 

[Stosh]

Free is always good, if it doesn't fit your style, say thanks and then PIF, somebody will like it.

I won a 30mL bottle playing around on a ECF contest, I DIY and needed a bottle of someone else experiment like the steaming pile of horse manure. I emailed them, thanking them, and told them to save the shipping, include it in the next order they received with an APO/FPO address and give 'em my best.

 

[bluecat]

I have never been given anything for free. Usually it is an enticement into something else or part of the package. Most of the time I am claimed to be offered free stuff, I walk away with a "no thank you". One time I had the dude chase me down and say what? you don't like free stuff are you crazy? I said no I am not crazy.. I just didn't feel like talking to you about whatever you are selling. Besides I am not the crazy person that just ran 2 football fields for to tell someone they are crazy. Walked away from him at that point.

There is nothing truly free in this world. Well 'cept the air we breathe - well at this point.

 

[lisancentraltx]

It's because humans are merely animals, some taught to socialize and work well with other human animals, and others left to whine, B & M, expect more than anyone else for their mediocre efforts, and scream the loudest to get what they want =]

I heard this same rant from my Great Grandmother. She was giving this spiel to my shifty Aunt & mother as they stood begging for something LOL

'I came to this country on a BOAT! Many died! Were sick! At 13 I made this crossing! You, and you! Lazy, shiftless, greedy! I am hard working AMERICAN! You, you bunch are shifty, greedy, szvirata!

My Great Grandmother, she was FEARED She called you a dirty pig, she meant PIG! LOL

 

[R. Scott Kennan]

My philosophy is that modern life is full of advertising and enticements to buy other things. Free is free. There's no obligation to buy something just because you got something for free. I'm new to vaping, but if I got a free product in any other part of my life, I'd see it as an opportunity to try something I might like without having to pay for it. If I liked it, I'd be sure to buy it later if I needed it, and a lot sooner than I might have otherwise. It's win/win for me and the seller. And I'd say "Thank you" to the entity that gave it to me.

 

[cmdebrecht]

Oh people can be such whiny crabapples. I suppose some folks have a sense of entitlement or superiority or whatever, and nothing (free or otherwise) can please them.

When confronted with these miserable creatures I either ignore them or take it as a challenge to brighten their day.

Then, I thank God I was raised with common sense, good manners, and to be appreciative and grateful.

This reminds me of the time when I was about 6 and old Mr. Rushke gave me a dime. I was all ready to say "thank you" when my mom says to me, "Say thank you!" Well nobody was going to tell me what I already knew! I will say thank you on my own terms!

I was in a heap of trouble

 

[mare ze dotes]

Things my grandma taught me. Allways accept a gift with gratitude . Deal with it later on if it is not to your liking.

I make a point of thanking my eliquid vendors in the comment area if they have one.

 

[Myrany]

Twice now I have had very kind ECFers send me samples of wire, silica, ekowool whatever to help me figure out what I am doing and get past a rough spot in my vaping history. Grateful doesn't even begin to describe the feeling of gratitude I have for them. They are lifesavers and I made sure to at least give my best effort to convey that to them. But just in case

Thank you so much Schnarph and Super_X_ drifter

You both were absolutely priceless in coming through for me in very black times for me and vaping!

 

[440BB]

I see the point, but if a steaming pile of horse manure is no longer hot and fresh, it's hard to recapture that moment. A little whining may be understandable.

 

[EvilZoe]

I see the point, but if a steaming pile of horse manure is no longer hot and fresh, it's hard to recapture that moment. A little whining may be understandable.

SILENT whining of the sort that doesn't get conveyed back to the giver.

Of course, I'm not sure I'd be happy if someone gave me fecal matter under any circumstances. It IS a tad insulting unless one is gardening...lol

 

[lisancentraltx]

Twice now I have had very kind ECFers send me samples of wire, silica, ekowool whatever to help me figure out what I am doing and get past a rough spot in my vaping history. Grateful doesn't even begin to describe the feeling of gratitude I have for them. They are lifesavers and I made sure to at least give my best effort to convey that to them. But just in case

Thank you so much Schnarph and Super_X_ drifter

You both were absolutely priceless in coming through for me in very black times for me and vaping!

Hahaha! Schnarph is my mod-maker, candy maker, and the likeliest one I'll send unworking mods, wire, silica, and tanks to! It's good to know he's Passing It Forward! That guy can make some salted caramel that'll KNOCK YOUR SOCKS OFF! I've got a not functioning mini Zmax in a box for him now!

 

[stitt]

Actually, I used to clean horse stalls for a living and horse manure doesn't smell so bad. As an added bonus, in the winter when it freezes, you can pick it up and throw it at people. Wait, what was the original rant about?

 

[DeviantDigi]

People aren't perfect. Stop expecting that.

 

[deanthemachine]

If this is because I said the sample juices that came with my ProVari weren't that good I hope I can be forgiven...lol I can't help my tastebuds being the way they are.

Of course, I didn't go back and complain to them about them.

You got sample juice?!?! In another thread I was disappointed I spent 200+ and not even a single sample juice.

OP: Does complaining I didnt get something free reinforce your rant? I would have said thank you...

 

[Mark Anthony]

Free is always good, if it doesn't fit your style, say thanks and then PIF, somebody will like it.

I won a 30mL bottle playing around on a ECF contest, I DIY and needed a bottle of someone else experiment like the steaming pile of horse manure. I emailed them, thanking them, and told them to save the shipping, include it in the next order they received with an APO/FPO address and give 'em my best.

This^^^^^^ this country needs more people like this. Donating it one of our brave men or women.... That sir is commendable. Thank you