travors:

So a friend of mine called me for some help setting up a wireless card (around my circles, I’m the tech guy) on his laptop and I talked him through the process over the phone. Took a while to do, not all night but a fair chunk of my free time none the less.

A few nights later we’re talking and as he’s a taxi driver, I asked if I could give him a call some night if I was stuck for a lift home - Sure, he said - but I’ll charge you regular fare.

Ok. So here’s my point (this pops up pretty frequently with friends I have of various trades) - why is it when I provide tech support to my friends, it’s taken for granted to be a freebie, yet when I ask someone of a different trade for their help, it’s totally acceptable that there’s always a price?

That’s lame. Your time and expertise is valuable too. My hubby and I have had friends like that before. :( Friendships should be 2-way.