You are Welcome

Why do we have so much trouble accepting favours from other people?
So often we want to make sure that we make things even. It is, of course, good to make sure we don’t take advantage of others, but we often forget many people enjoy being able to help others. I know I often feel ‘uncomfortable’ being indebted to someone else. Sometimes I wonder if it is because I want to make sure they know I appreciate what they have done for me by returning the favour, OR if some part of me is uncomfortable knowing that I need others. I’m pretty sure it’s not just me that feels this way, because so often when I hear someone say “thank you” the response to them is “it was nothing” or “no problem”. We are tempted to make what we have done sound simple so that the other person doesn’t feel like they “owe you”. Maybe it’s not only that we have a problem accepting help from others, but that we have trouble saying “You are welcome,” to take ownership of the favour we have done.
Try watching next time someone thanks you for something…be aware of your response.
We need to not only help others, but also accept we need their help.

2 comments:

  1. AnonymousJune 19, 2009

    this may or may not apply. But it bugs me to no end when you ask someone for their opinion, and they say, "I dont care." Then you suggest something and they say no because... and then you are led to a decision that in a way they picked. So it seems like they were NICE for letting you pick.. but they tricked you to picking what they wanted. Win-WIn for them. And you are left blind sided. UGH

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  2. Oh, I agree with the comment above. That drives me crazy. I'm not a very picky person, so when I say "I don't care," I mean it. I really don't have a preference. It's annoying that not everyone is honestly indifferent.

    Back to your blog though, you have a point. We do pass up taking responsibility and pride in the things we do for others. Maybe we're all selling ourselves short...

    Have a great day! :)

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