Don’t do me any favors

If I am in a position to do a favor, I will.

Often, I offer to do favors for people who haven’t even asked. I also do favors for people who aren’t in positions to return the favors, and will probably never be.

A neighbor’s son needed a summer job a few years ago, so I called someone who I thought could help, and he got a job.

I knew my sister, Shelley, would be tickled pink to come to The Today Show with me last week, so I invited her.

Two FOF friends are starting a new business and I helped them strategize their marketing plan.

A client was talking about her daughter, who was in law school and looking for a summer job at a law firm. I told my husband to hire her and he did, even though he usually hired interns from his alma mater. It worked out so well, this young woman is going to work full time for my husband.

If a friend of a friend, a friend of a relative or a relative of a friend asks me to do a favor, I will oblige, even if I have to go out of my way.

I wish I had known him

There was a marvelous section in today’s New York Daily News about George Steinbrenner, who apparently did favors for all kinds of people throughout his life.

“Steinbrenner wasn’t impressed by someone’s (job) title. He didn’t believe in a label. You don’t have to be President of the Boys & Girls Club or from the American Cancer Society to get his attention.  You could just be a regular person.

“’F— labels! He’s a human being first!’ That’s the one quote that stands out the most. He used to say this all the time,” recalled Ray Negron, Steinbrenner’s special adviser for 38 years.

When I recently asked someone I know to do a favor for me, she lectured me about her self-importance and how busy she is and how she really couldn’t help. I was simply asking her to make an introduction for me.

Too bad George Steinbrenner never met this darling woman to explain the facts of life to her. Her big title and big pay checks don’t make her a big person.

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0 Responses to “Don’t do me any favors”

  1. Darlene says:

    Gerri I must agree with you on this! I HATE people who go around flaunting their titles as if it makes a difference to me. I am a strong believer of humility! Every one needs a favor every now and then, we should never feel as if we have arrived and are too good to help someone out.

    Note to self, no matter where I go in life and how successful I am, remember to do favors!

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  2. Catherine says:

    Here I am asking for a favor from ALL the FabOverFifty Women!

    I am one of 25 finalists in Warner’s “This Is Not A Bra” essay contest. The grand prize winner will receive $25,000! If I were fortunate enough to win, I am pledging a generous donation to support The Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation For Autism.

    In order to win, I need all the FabOverFifty members to vote for me once each day from today until July 30th! Voting will determine the grand prize winner!

    Here is a link to the website where members can register their information, and then vote by clicking on the entry titled “Creating Quite A Stir” from Catherine M. of Lynnfield!

    http://warnaco.promo.eprize.com/notabra/

    I would greatly appreciate your support, as will the Flutie Foundation and my son with autism. Thank you so much for your help!

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  3. Toby Wollin says:

    Geri – there are people who think about other people (and their kids) who extend themselves so that you don’t have to ask for a favor. They ask what you and the kids are doing and find ways to help. There are also people who think about other people but only if they believe the other people are useful to them, personally; this is the ‘quid pro quo’ group. They make you feel a little bit creepy but at least there appears to be some sense of fairness there. Then, there is the other group of people who don’t think about others, do not offer anything – they only ask YOU to do favors for them or their relatives when THEY want a favor. And, if you do the favor and then later ask for a favor back, not only will they not remember or acknowledge that you did them a favor, they will behave as if you are some sort of lizard for even asking. It is very annoying and difficult to deal with these people (especially if they are family members because you can’t escape them) and it is very easy to feel used and abused.

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    • Geri Brin says:

      As usual, you are spot on!

      oxo G

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