How Barter Got Dave 30%-50% of the Junk He Sells at his JunkYard

[Dien Rice]

Originally Posted by GordonJ

My thoughts are, doing a favor in expectation of a return is high covert manipulation. If you receive a favor, why wouldn't you want to return it?

Well one reason would be...because it was contrived. Purposeful.

Today we say, "He did me a solid." I believe it was George Costanza who said,

"A favor is for free, a solid is a debt." If not, I could easily see him say it to Jerry.

Giving or asking for favors with expectation is a tactic. A Clintonesque, measured and monitored sneaky way to gain.

Hi Gordon,

I'm actually not opposed to this... Maybe it's because I like getting free stuff!

In an area I used to live (around 20 years ago), there was a small hole-in-the-wall falafel sandwich restaurant. Every weekend, without fail, they'd have a staff member standing outside the shop, with a tray full of warm, freshly-cooked falafel balls. She'd have a pair of tongs, and using the pair of tongs, offer everyone walking by a free falafel ball - no obligation!

Why was she doing that? I don't think it was for charity.

Of course, the staff member was drumming up business for the falafel restaurant.

Yeah, I took a falafel ball, on more than one occasion! And I enjoyed it! I did eat there at least once, too... It was okay (but I preferred other restaurants).

However, I never regretted taking those falafel balls...

Best wishes,

Dien