It's been said, that there are certain topics, that should be refrianed from conversation. One such topic is, money. Which is ironic because money is one of the primary engines that fuels civil society. In fact, money is one of the most important things in our lives, although it's terribly materalistic to admit that. And in my experience, I've seen more friendships break up over money than over anything else. And I wonder...can a friendship ruined by money, still be salvaged?
Eight months ago, my friend, Susan-Catherine, a major executive rep for an investment company, gave me two free tickets to go see Gwen Stefani and The Black Eyed Peas. The company for which she worked for, was always giving her free concert tickets to entertain clients, but since the tickets she was given were aimed towards a younger audience, she would give the tickets away to students or sell the tickets on Ebay and profit from the auctions.
After the free concert, Susan-Catherine encouraged me to keep in contact, which I did, but as the months passed, my emails, grew less, and then one day, they stopped altogether. Until three weeks ago, when I saw Susan-Catherine online and asked her if she had any Madonna tickets. I thought it would be the perfect birthday gift for my friend Madelaine and so did Susan-Catherine, which is why she sold me a pair of two tickets, Section 102, Row D, for a grand total of $80.
But then something tragic happened. Susan-Catherine gave my precious tickets away! She claimed that since I paid her 12 hours later than I said I would, she thought I didnt want the tickets and so, she gave them to someone else. I was plauged with confusion. Why would my friend Susan-Catherine do that to me? Had she no soul? Was it because I was an awful friend? I mean, yeah, I know I hadnt really kept in contact with her, and I'll admit the Madonna ticket request totally came out of left field, but was that enough of a reason to warrant a cancellation on the birthday surprise for my friend?
Later that week, I had to confront the belated birthday girl, Madelaine, and tell her that the birthday gift I had planned would be forever belated. I felt awful. Madelaine had already told everyone she and I were going to see Madge, live and up-close and to crush a dream like that was just...well...awful. But why was I feeling awful? I wasnt the awful friend...or was I? In the course of one week, I had broken a payment promise, and a gift guarentee. And it was all because Susan-Catherine wanted her money at a certain time.
It made me upset to think that Susan-Catherine had made our friendly transaction into a business merger, but when you work for a large investment company, I guess the value of money increases. Just like the price of Madonna tickets on Ebay. As the days leading up to her concert decreased, the price of tickets increased. And so, hoping to keep one of the promises I made, I placed a bid and scored a pair of floor tickets, Section AAA, Row 51. The seller was touched by my story and sold me the pair of tickets for a grand total of $150. The tickets came in yesterday, via FedEx, along with an email from Susan-Catherine.
David...I know you might be a tad bit upset that I have sold the tickets to another individual, and I apologize for the confusion. I did not think you were interested when I didn't hear from you for so long. I hope this does not put a damper on our friendship. I will be in Tucson next week, and maybe then we can meet up for lunch? Let me know...Susan-Catherine
Eight months ago, my friend, Susan-Catherine, a major executive rep for an investment company, gave me two free tickets to go see Gwen Stefani and The Black Eyed Peas. The company for which she worked for, was always giving her free concert tickets to entertain clients, but since the tickets she was given were aimed towards a younger audience, she would give the tickets away to students or sell the tickets on Ebay and profit from the auctions.
After the free concert, Susan-Catherine encouraged me to keep in contact, which I did, but as the months passed, my emails, grew less, and then one day, they stopped altogether. Until three weeks ago, when I saw Susan-Catherine online and asked her if she had any Madonna tickets. I thought it would be the perfect birthday gift for my friend Madelaine and so did Susan-Catherine, which is why she sold me a pair of two tickets, Section 102, Row D, for a grand total of $80.
But then something tragic happened. Susan-Catherine gave my precious tickets away! She claimed that since I paid her 12 hours later than I said I would, she thought I didnt want the tickets and so, she gave them to someone else. I was plauged with confusion. Why would my friend Susan-Catherine do that to me? Had she no soul? Was it because I was an awful friend? I mean, yeah, I know I hadnt really kept in contact with her, and I'll admit the Madonna ticket request totally came out of left field, but was that enough of a reason to warrant a cancellation on the birthday surprise for my friend?
Later that week, I had to confront the belated birthday girl, Madelaine, and tell her that the birthday gift I had planned would be forever belated. I felt awful. Madelaine had already told everyone she and I were going to see Madge, live and up-close and to crush a dream like that was just...well...awful. But why was I feeling awful? I wasnt the awful friend...or was I? In the course of one week, I had broken a payment promise, and a gift guarentee. And it was all because Susan-Catherine wanted her money at a certain time.
It made me upset to think that Susan-Catherine had made our friendly transaction into a business merger, but when you work for a large investment company, I guess the value of money increases. Just like the price of Madonna tickets on Ebay. As the days leading up to her concert decreased, the price of tickets increased. And so, hoping to keep one of the promises I made, I placed a bid and scored a pair of floor tickets, Section AAA, Row 51. The seller was touched by my story and sold me the pair of tickets for a grand total of $150. The tickets came in yesterday, via FedEx, along with an email from Susan-Catherine.
David...I know you might be a tad bit upset that I have sold the tickets to another individual, and I apologize for the confusion. I did not think you were interested when I didn't hear from you for so long. I hope this does not put a damper on our friendship. I will be in Tucson next week, and maybe then we can meet up for lunch? Let me know...Susan-Catherine
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