Ask Paul B: Expectations. What is Friendship?

#ad▼

Dear Paul B,

People are just not normal these days. I am shocked at the kinds of people I have known in the past 20 years. They just don’t know how to be friends. I have always started out saying “what can I do for him, or their family.” Now, I think people get out of bed and expect the world to do everything for them. I am not kidding. I will be anonymous, because of my fourteen grandchildren, only five of them know what giving, and doing it without a “hitch,” is all about. Some of these people have a price list for doing favors, just like your handy auto-mechanic. That’s what I think!

Auntie Bella

++++++++++++++++

Dear AB,

You and me both, kiddo. I am so shocked at how many people are selfish today, and it’s not just kids. Kids get a mini-pass with me, because, well….they haven’t been out there in the world yet, where the world will kick their collective butts. My issues are with grown-ups who should know better, but play dumb (probably not difficult for these boobs.) They expect gratitude, special favors, and even money without the slightest reason or thanks. You really can’t do enough for them, because they’re “special,” I guess. What is this attitude, expectation or personality flaw all about? I couldn’t look at myself in the mirror, could you? I loaned an old friend $300 recently. He is down on his luck, with health issues and I know that this loan may never be paid back. I feel quite comfortable and even content knowing that I could be there for him. I’m smiling as I write this, because we all need to pay it forward..Do something nice for someone, a friend, a sister, or even a Grandfather, right out of the blue. You might find yourself smiling as well. In order to make a friend, you must BE a friend FIRST!

Paul B

Thank You For Being A Friend by Andrew Gold. Live in 2005 in California.

Andrew Golds songs include the Top 10 single “Lonely Boy” (1977), as well as “Thank You for Being a Friend” (1978) and “Never Let Her Slip Away” (1978). Andrew Gold played and/or sang on records and/or live performances with artists including Carly Simon, Jennifer Warnes, Linda Ronstadt, Stephen Bishop, America, Nicolette Larson, Maria Muldaur, Neil Diamond, Barbi Benton, Juice Newton, Leo Sayer, Freddie Mercury, The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Karla Bonoff, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, John Lennon, Brian Wilson, James Taylor, Roy Orbison, Don Henley, Bette Midler, Diana Ross, Cher, Jesse McCartney and J.D. Souther. Gold died in his sleep from heart failure at age 59 in Los Angeles on June 3, 2011.

Thank You For Being A Friend by Andrew Gold.

ABOUT ASK PAUL B! … WRITE PAUL B! …

ASK PAUL B! usually appears on Thursday evenings, but occasionally appears on other days or times so the article might be introduced to new readers.

IMPORTANT LEGAL STUFF:
Advice is offered for general discussion. Any advice from a columnist or someone who has never actually met you is not guaranteed to be fit for your particular situation. While the advice might help send you in the right direction to find a solution to your problem, missing information or lack of specific dialogue might cause you harm, or delay a solution to your problem. Never use this advice as the sole replacement for advice from a physician, psychologist or other health professional or other professional. The information provided through any Arlingtoncardinal.com post or Ask Paul B! post is not a substitute for health, legal and other professional advice where specific facts and circumstances warrant additional personal attention. If any reader requires legal advice, health advice or other professional assistance, each reader should always consult his or her own legal, health professional, or other professional advisors and discuss the facts and circumstances that specifically apply to the user. Consider the topics discussed as a part of your overall experience for your pursuit of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Don’t hesitate to get help when you might need professional help.

The views of Ask Paul B! are not necessarily the views of The Cardinal — Arlingtoncardinal.com.

Get updates from The Cardinal ALL NEWS FEEDS on Facebook. Just ‘LIKE’ the ‘Arlington Cardinal Page (become a fan of our page). The updates cover all posts and sub-category posts from The Cardinal — Arlingtoncardinal.com. You can also limit feeds to specific categories. See all of The Cardinal Facebook fan pages at Arlingtoncardinal.com/about/facebook …

Search Amazon …

Search for products sold on Amazon:

Arlingtoncardinal.com is an Amazon Associate website, which means that a small percentage of your purchases gets paid to Arlingtoncardinal.com at no extra cost to you. When you use the search boxes above, any Amazon banner ad, or any product associated with an Amazon banner on this website, you help pay expenses related to maintaining Arlingtoncardinal.com and creating new services and ideas for a resourceful website. See more info at Arlingtoncardinal.com/AdDisclosure