(sorta) gloat

Black stain on tamarind & maple? Wow, I didn't even know Norm needed a cane!

You gave him a choice to accept it as a gift or to pay the Meijers price. What a miserable SOB.

Why couldn't you just say to the guy, I'd like to make it a gift to you, instead of putting him on the spot.

You then have the gall to gloat that he gave you more than the retail price. Sounds as though your motive was monetary all the while & that you were hoping against hope that he would choose to pay.

jamesy.

That's one way of looking at it.

Another is that he valued his friend highly - enough to make him a very fine cane comparable to the best he knew of. Unless his friend had priced fine canes elsewhere he might not realize the value his friend had for him. Most people have no idea how much knowledge, skill and time is required to make something, anything, that is One Off - and fine - just for them.

And the reverse may be true. Most amateur woodworkers are somewhat over critical of their pieces, being aware of anything that could've been done better, every shortcoming. Having someone, especially a friend, let you know that a piece is better than the best they knew of is nice to hear.

Sounds like both parties benefitted from the exchange - and the friendship probably strengthened. The recipient has a beautiful, unique, made just for him, cane he can enjoy and brag about. "A good friend made it specfically for me - three different and beautiful woods put together nicely don't you think? Feels nice too!" The maker of the cane can gloat that his work is as good if not better than the best he's aware of - and has a good friend.

You look at it your way. Me, I'll look at it as a win-win for two friends.

charlie b

Geez, Jamesy- You get up on the wrong side of the bed? As far as I can tell, it's just an alternate version of the standard Midwest money game. (That's where you help someone out not expecting any recompense, they give you money, you give it back, this happens a couple of times until one of you gives up- weird, but it's the way things are done here; your area may differ.) It's not a motive issue, just local custom and it's always nice to get something in return for your time and materials- offering it for free is a nice gesture, and that Meijer's joint looks like a Wal-Mart from what I could tell on their website, so it looks like he offered a low price anyhow.

Just my 2 cents

charlie b wrote in news: snipped-for-privacy@accesscom.com:

Mr. B, Jamesy was way out of line because he doesn't understand Witnesses; you were less out of line for the same reason.To put it in a nutshell, it was a normal transaction. Both parties were Jehovah's Witnesses; Witnesses will offer each other aid, comfort, shelter, any need without recompense. The friend was not in need, so paid 'his friend' for the cane. I think the gloat was because of the 'tip' and the great cane. I'm not one of Jehovah's Witness, but my mother and sister are. Others could take a lesson or two from them. Hank ,

Yeah ... it kinda rubbed my fur all wrong. But it's his cane and that makes it his call. See my other posting for how it all turned out. Guess I'm not Norm after all.

Bill

I don't think James meant any harm ... but you are right, he doesn't understand.

All it took to 'buy' that cane was a smile, a handshake and a sincere "Thank you". That really IS the full asking price. If I had wanted more, I would have said so --before-- making the cane.

Here's the rest of the story.

Last summer somebody sicced a rotweiler on this elderly couple for trying to preach from the Bible. In our territory, it will eventually happen again. "Not preaching" is not an option. (Mt 24:14; 28:18,19) So another answer needed to be found.

I made him a strong cane with a heavy metal handle to at least hold off the dog until his wife can escape.

Perhaps that will buy him enough time for more help to arrive.

Bill

No, he's a troll.

W Canaday wrote in news: snipped-for-privacy@replyonlist.com:

Bill, Like I said, "I'm not a Witness". If anyone was to sic a dog on my mother (age 88), or my sister (age 61), or any other person not doing them harm and I became aware of it; a cane would be the least of their worries. Hank

What has this to do with woodturning?

I really will never understand Americans

Make the effort.

Hi Tony, No need for understanding: Tolerance and Appreciation are enough.

Turn to Safety, Arch Fortiter

Tony the Turner wrote in news: snipped-for-privacy@diybanter.com:

No Tony, you never really will. Keep turning or spinning with my fondest regards, Hank

Well Tony, what do your comments on what this has to do with turning, or your inability to understand Americans have to do with turning, either?

Better check your eyes for beams.

AT this point in time, all that is left is revenge and, for us, revenge isn't an option. Self-defense, however, is another matter entirely.

And just to keep Tony happy, the stick is made up of laminated wood and was the object of a finishing question in a separate thread. "Defense" and 'show' are the reasons for the cane .. but wood is its material and turning is (the bulk of) its method. I think that is sufficient to establish the relevancy of this thread to this newsgroup. I am certain I've seen less relevant threads go unquestioned.

Bill