This topic reminds of a situation long ago when I was new to the internet.
A lady volunteered to look something up and I was grateful to her and
mentioned that I had a couple of cds and was there anything I could lookup
for her in return? Wrong question!!! She requested marriages for 16
spelling variations of her name. It took forever to look up the stuff but I
gained a friend in the process. I also learned to be very careful when I
offer to do lookups.
It doesn't bother me much if I'm thanked or not. I appreciate a thank you
but I'll live without it. What bothers me is when people write almost
demanding that I send them something. One lady wrote recently wanting a
file on "Jane Doe" that mentioned "John Doe". No state, no time
period,
nothing to show what this was referring to. I didn't answer it right away.
I'm busy and can't always get to things as timely as I would like to. She
wrote again, this time rather rudely. I found the file - after searching
for about 2 hrs. I actually found much more that would have been quite
helpful to her but I only sent 1 file because of her attitude. She's lucky
she got anything at all.
For those who haven't quite gotten the point yet, let me be very explicit.
It's fun doing look ups. I get almost as much excitement helping someone
else break through that "brick wall" as if it were my own. You don't owe me
anything for doing it but try to remember your manners and this simple rule:
"If you are helped by someone, there is probably some one else you can
help. Say "thanks" and pass on the good deed. If you ask for a lookup or a
favor, be prepared to give one in return."
Barb
Barb Marshall <marshal(a)jps.net> List Mom of BAGLEY & DRAKE Lists
Half Moon Bay, CA, USA