How Sanjay Made an Honest Woman of Me
So, I found an envelope full of Sanjay's tips on the stairs at work. Am I allowed to take them? I mean, the name on the envelope was kind of illegible. And Sanjay just had a birthday, and I'm sure he got lots of money for that (or at least lots of baked goods), so he doesn't really need more. Plus, if Sanjay doesn't report his tips (and I have no proof that he does ... or doesn't, but that's hardly the point), then he's kind of stealing from the U.S. government. So he deserves to be stolen from, right?
Wrong, clearly. But being a Cheap Woman does bring up all kinds of ethical questions: Is it wrong to "borrow" internet? Pirate CD's? Sneak vodka into clubs? Should I let a friend pay for a movie if I know he can't afford it any more than I can? Can I accept a free lunch, knowing I can offer nothing in return?
It's been suggested to me that this Cheap Woman project isn't credible because we're getting gifts that we normally wouldn't get, so our savings aren't what they would be if we just tried to save money without, say, a provocatively named website and blog.
That does give me pause. I don't want to take advantage of anyone's friendship for the sake of a contest. Because, while I believe the ideals behind Cheap Woman are important, the actual contest part of it is rather silly.
After much thought, I don't think that's what's happening. I think I have very generous friends. I think giving in the name of Cheap Women just makes offering to be generous, which is sometimes difficult in our materialistic and individualistic society, a little bit easier.
Cheap Women certainly makes it easier for me to accept gifts from others. It's been good for me to realize that I can accept help, or comfort, from my friends without feeling indebted. And it's helping me find ways that aren't financial (editing papers, offering up my apartment as a meeting place) to give.
After I decided not to steal Sanjay's tips, he used some of them to buy me lunch. It was delicious, and it was something I never would have let him do before this contest. Building friendships through veggie burgers ... one of many hidden benefits of being a Cheap Woman.
SHOUT OUTS
Cary ... for Carrie/y Breakfast, & a Mountain Dew
Sanjay ... for amazing lunch from Otey's
John ... for apple pie & a Coke
Wrong, clearly. But being a Cheap Woman does bring up all kinds of ethical questions: Is it wrong to "borrow" internet? Pirate CD's? Sneak vodka into clubs? Should I let a friend pay for a movie if I know he can't afford it any more than I can? Can I accept a free lunch, knowing I can offer nothing in return?
It's been suggested to me that this Cheap Woman project isn't credible because we're getting gifts that we normally wouldn't get, so our savings aren't what they would be if we just tried to save money without, say, a provocatively named website and blog.
That does give me pause. I don't want to take advantage of anyone's friendship for the sake of a contest. Because, while I believe the ideals behind Cheap Woman are important, the actual contest part of it is rather silly.
After much thought, I don't think that's what's happening. I think I have very generous friends. I think giving in the name of Cheap Women just makes offering to be generous, which is sometimes difficult in our materialistic and individualistic society, a little bit easier.
Cheap Women certainly makes it easier for me to accept gifts from others. It's been good for me to realize that I can accept help, or comfort, from my friends without feeling indebted. And it's helping me find ways that aren't financial (editing papers, offering up my apartment as a meeting place) to give.
After I decided not to steal Sanjay's tips, he used some of them to buy me lunch. It was delicious, and it was something I never would have let him do before this contest. Building friendships through veggie burgers ... one of many hidden benefits of being a Cheap Woman.
SHOUT OUTS
Cary ... for Carrie/y Breakfast, & a Mountain Dew
Sanjay ... for amazing lunch from Otey's
John ... for apple pie & a Coke
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