BootsnAll Travel Community

My good friends all share a huge generous streak. When I'm in town they will all:

Say 'Take my car' and throw me the keys with a smile and a 'Have fun.' There's no need to say 'Be careful' or 'Please fill up the petrol you use'.

Argue together over who gets to pay for the meal this time. They all WANT to pay every time. Then they try to get out of taking back any change after tips.

Not see me for a year or two, then actually be happy to have me stay at their place. They stock up the refrigerator especially and refuse to take money for what I use.

Say 'Have you changed any currency yet? Here's some cash. Get me back whenever.'

Take me out and show me around as if its a sacred duty, so the whole visit is an adventure and an experience.

Their generosity with their material possessions (and their time) shows the generosity of their spirit, and I love how we all like/trust/know each other well enough to be that way, even though we're all over the world.

Don't we wish we all had more friends like that!! I want them to be my friends too!!

Generous and kindred spirited friends are one of a kind. Remember when you were young and you just wanted A LOT of friends? Especially the popular kind? Nowadays, I have a lot of aquaintances and a few very good friends...the ones I know I can always depend on. And the best times are when its just the 3 or four of us talking, having a beer, laughing and having a good time. I think we get blessed with the knowledge of what good friendship is as we get older.

Yeah you're right. You realize the value of finding someone like that much more, because it doesn't happen that often in life (to me) :-)

The only thing I like more than having good friends is to be a good friend. I get so much satisfaction out of taking care of my friends when they´re down, and in return they take care of me. I feel so lucky to have friends like I do, who totally support all of my impractical and irrational travels and actually are enthused by them. I love them very much so.

One thing I think a lot of modern Americans (I don´t know about others) don´t have enough of are those sincere, great friends who would stick by their sides no matter what. We tend to rush through life so quickly that we don´t tak the opportunity anymore to get trashed and stare at the bonfire. It´s sad...no wonder so many people are bitter.

Nietzsche, though he´s earned the reputation of the anti-Christ, actually condones generoscity a lot in "Thus Spoke Zarathustra." Great book, a lot of little life lessons in there.

Isn't it great when you find people who support you no matter what? I have been blessed with a few friends like that.

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One thing I think a lot of modern Americans (I don´t know about others) don´t have enough of are those sincere, great friends who would stick by their sides no matter what.

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I hear you. I think it is very sad that so many people are only interested in what you can give them and they never consider that someone's generosity is actually a gift.

huh, i can't say i agree with you that americans in particular lack meaningful relationships. i am amazed at the incredible generosity and kindness of my friends. maybe i'm an exception, but i struggle to find the time to spend with all of the fabulous people i know just here in portland. getting out to other parts of the country or planet to see the others is even more difficult. i've been back in town for 2 months and have yet to find a place to live. my friends have put me up and refuse to take anything in return. they are even (still!!) trying to get me to spend more time at their houses. we're like borderland's friends...fighting over paying the check, offering any help we possibly can without being asked, etc. and yes, i'm thankful for them everyday.

When I was talking about 'Americans' I was thinking 'Westerners' because our individualistic ways make us, as a society, more prone to selfish behaviour. So, although there are some shining examples of generosity and genuine caring, I have met my fair share of people who will use people. Very sad.