It was either Dear Abby or Ann Landers who said "No one can take advantage of you without your permission. "
One time I helped a friend and his mother by loading up a bunch of their yard sale stuff and bringing it to my house (I lived on a busy street, perfect for selling stuff). As my friend threw a bike in the bed (my '79 F250), the handlbars hung over the side of the bed and put a nice big scratch in the paint on the outer side of the bed. When I pointed it out to him, he said something like "Well, it's a truck, you know. " Then his brother, sister in law, and grandmother came over to my house, and he and his brother took off to go to the beach, leaving me to entertain his sister in law and grandmother. In the afternoon, we loaded the truck again (I was the only man there, so guess who did all the heavy lifting) and took everything back to his mother's house, and of course, unloaded it. She had an old army ammo box that no one bought, and I said I wouldn't mind having it. So she charged me a dollar for it! Even after spending my whole Saturday helping them, I never even got so much as a thank you!
I have never felt like such a fool, allowing myself to be taken advantage of like that. I don't mind helping out, but this was way beyond helping! That day has always remained in my mind when someone wants me to help them with my truck, and instantly my defenses go up.
Otherwise, like you said, Bob, I guess I'm kind of laid back.
Andy
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