Why do we hate it when someone gives us far more than we can repay?

Discussion in 'Human Science' started by wynn, Apr 2, 2011.

  1. chimpkin C'mon, get happy! Registered Senior Member

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    Must just be me then?

    I don't feel comfortable with that either.
    One time I refused to go to the ER when I was turning blue, because I didn't want to owe money to the hospital that I couldn't repay.
    Hit my asthma inhaler about 70 times and passed out...lungs...obviously decided to open instead of finishing shutting off.

    So I guess I'd rather die than owe lots of money.:shrug:
     
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  3. John99 Banned Banned

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    I never felt that way about gifts...that i had to repay them. If someone gives me something and expects me to be beholden to them then that is their mistake. I give stuff away and tell people "you dont owe me anything". That is if they had doubts.
     
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  5. wynn ˙ Valued Senior Member

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    I think the same goes also for doing big favors or sharing great knowledge.
    But I think that in the case of (former) friends, the issue is that once it becomes clear that one person has a lot more (money, social influence, knowledge), it also becomes clear that the two are too different to still be friends.
     
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  7. wynn ˙ Valued Senior Member

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    It's not about others expecting you to be beholden to them.
    It is about feeling indebted.
     
  8. wynn ˙ Valued Senior Member

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    You're not alone!
    I feel very indebted for any gift given to me.
     

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