Should I accept a gift of money from someone I barely know?

Well, there’s nothing morally wrong with accepting a gift. It may not be the most polite thing, though. What’s her culture? Do you know if she has substantial means?

Do you feel comfortable about it?

I don’t think there’s anything morally wrong with accepting a gift, as long as she has the means. And I guess if she didn’t, she wouldn’t have offered. Maybe one day in the future you will be able to reciprocate.

Many years ago I was in a similar position, and part of the costs of a trip to the US was paid for by friends I had never met offline. I accepted the offer, went, and had the most amazing time.

I suspect she likes you and feels you would both enjoy the event and she doesn’t want to go alone. So she is getting something out of you accepting, your company. I would feel rather uncomfortable about it though. Could you accept on the understanding that when you have a job, you will pay her back?

Welcome to Fluther by the way :-)

Thankyou! I know she definitely has a job, and she’s always buying herself things so I guess you could say she’s probably financially comfortable,
She does live in Europe, though, and because the economy is quite unstable sometimes her career can be threatened, so maybe I should wait until later next year before I give a reply, just in case she loses it? I wouldn’t want her to feel bad if she can’t afford to pay for me. :(

@Bellatrix Yes, that sounds like a fab idea, thankyou! :D
@Nullo I guess if it were a family member offering, I would feel comfortable with it – and she’s constantly telling me I’m like family to her, so I guess she doesn’t seem to mind…

Will they provide a round trip ticket? I’m getting bad vibes from this. Be careful.

@johnpowell I’m paying for my travel, because it’s in my country. :) She’s only paying for my admission pass, which is the most expensive part.

Fair exchange is no robbery. If she wants to do it, she has calculated the cost or strain it would place upon her, or not. It might insult her if you didn’t take her up on her offer.

Make it clear (in writing) that you can’t pay her back. If she’s still ok with that, don’t look a gift horse in the mouth as they say, go have fun!

Maybe try to buy lunch an extra day or pick her up something to show your appreciation if you can afford to, it’s not necessary but in my opinion it’s rarely a bad move.

You said you’re young, and since this is a first time thing for you obviously play it safe, let people know where you’re going, check in, keep public, and if you don’t feel comfortable with a situation say “no”.

And, hey, if all goes well, maybe next time you can treat her :D

If she is coming to a convention near you (in your country), she probably asked you so she won’t be alone when she goes. Be careful but go have a good time.

I agree if she is coming to the convention that is near you, and she is only paying for the admission ticket it sounds just fine. Make sure she knows you can’t pay her back. I would do this for a friend in a second if I have the money and would like their company. Not sure if I would do it for an internet friend? But, it sounds like you both have become good friends. I don’t think accepting the gift is selfish or rude at all. Only if it became a regular thing where she always pays and you never do would I think something isn’t right. I have paid for a friends plane ticket to come visit me. Another friend of mine once used her free points for a couple nights in a hotel when we were travelling, and I didn’t need to pay anything. I think its fine. You’ll pay it forward to someone else one day.

Your friend that you know online could easily be a predator. YOU DON“T KNOW HER. All you know about her is what she types on the machine, which could just be what you want to hear.

You don’t know if she is young too.

You don’t know if she is a girl.

Do not take her money (which would give you a sense of obligation and might mean you would do something later that was against your better judgment because you “owed” her).

Do not go off somewhere a plane ride away from family and friends to meet a stranger.

Here is just one tragic story about online fake identities.

@marinelife I worried about the same, but she is meeting her at a public convention.

@JLeslie Conventions are absolutely anonymous. Who would even notice if she turned up missing? It is dangerous.

@marinelife Anonymous with a few thousand other people around. But, I did have the same response initially. The OP could say she has two other friends who will be there also, and see if the internet friend backs out.

How old are you?

Accept no gifts from strangers. You would be in a foreign country and at their disposal. Think about this.

Todays answer is NO.

Listen to the cop.

@john65pennington 10–4! Did I get that right? :)

Judi u are my kind of gal

Ayesha, yes maam. I should have had you as a partner years ago.

@john65pennington That would’ve been so much fun!!

Have you communicated with this person in a way that enabled you to hear her voice or see her in real time?

If you haven’t, I would suggest doing that so that you can get singular verification of who she is.

I believe there are certain people put in our lives to in some way better or enrich us. This friend could be a just what your life needs at this time. On the other hand, be informed, and find out for sure who your dealing with. Make sure that this is a female, and nothing tells you more than your gut instinct, P.S if you do go, make sure that your friends and family know everything that you know along with address, phone #, etc…about this person and where your going to be staying

Makes me think of this movie:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0450278/

If you still live at home, you should ask your parents how they feel about it.

@john65pennington The OP would not be in a foreign country – the event is local to her. The friend is the one who would be at her disposal.

I’d do it.

You state in a later post “so maybe I should wait until later next year before I give a reply, just in case she loses it.” To me this means the event is later next year. I wouldn’t even think about it right now. So much can happen in that time period. She may have a boyfriend/girlfriend by that time or you all may not even be talking then.

You can accept, but you must know what you give the meaning to the “gift”. You have the final decision,