Are you a Taker or a Giver?

Both because when in the company of a giver it’s best to accommodate them even if you don’t want what they are offering. This is of course provided they are unconditional and are not doing so for some ultimate goal other than their own satisfaction in making others happy. I generally give but again I’m not afraid to take when it is the proper thing to do.

I give what I can. I’m afraid that is mostly advice, or good wishes.

I don’t trust myself to answer
this question. I don’t think I’m a taker (as long as the category of home baked goods is excluded). I believe I have a huge advantage in not being “needy”. When it comes to giving, people around me believe me too generous, but I know for a fact that I’m very bad at allocating enough time to those who need it. That’s the thing that’s overwhelming-the need. The wife thinks I’m a soft touch, but it’s getting to the point that I’m afraid to leave the house or answer the phone. If you notice, I hide here a LOT.

@Stanley The needs are overwhelming, I had no idea the first half of my life. Thanks!

At times and situations, some of each.

With my kids and grandkids (grandkids especially) I am a giver. I’ll give them just about anything they want – money, time, love, affection, trips to the park or the library – anything I can do for them I will.

I’m a taker far less often; I do just fine by myself and I don’t ask for much of anything from anybody. But last summer I was in the hospital (don’t ask) and for about two weeks I was a taker, dependent on others. I felt bad about asking the family (not for money of course, but for their time, which they were only too happy to give.) I also felt powerless.

So .. long answers to a simple question. Basically: it depends.

I’m both.

Taker mostly but not not comfortable in either role.

I was raised to be a team player. I’d like to think that means I’m both—though I’m sure I’ve got a long way to go to get it right.

We’re a social species. We don’t survive without the help of one another, or without the willingness to be the one helping others.

I am in a position these days of needing a lot. I can’t drive anymore, and I can’t afford cabs often.
That is just the tip of things.
I have spent my life as a giver, and asking for help sours on my tongue.
To be quite honest, I was a little disappointed when my biopsies came up negative.
I am SO tired of needing help, asking for help, accepting help.
I’ve just been hanging in there this long so my daughter has a home.

I prefer to give. Giving perks me up.

I’m a taker, by nature but not really by practice. In practice I ask nothing of no one amd recieve nothing. But on the rare social occaisions if someone wants to pay for my dinner, or whatnot, I have no qualms accepting.

Perhaps I have been both, but mostly I am a giver, which was to my own detriment in many ways. Lately, I’ve had to be a taker and have felt uncomfortable, however, I know at times giving gave me joy and not to take that away from the giver. (That sentence sounded confusing!).

I’m a net taker. I’ve taken hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars for medical treatment. I’ve taken 11 units of blood. Nothing that I’ve given back has or probably ever will neutralize this.

Giving that blood back is on my bucket list, but my stats have never been good enough. I’m closer now than I’ve ever been; just five pounds to go.

I’m on the bone marrow registry and I’ll be happy to give if I’m ever matched with someone but that’s unlikely.

I sponsor a child, which does virtually nothing to close the gap of inequality between us. I did nothing to deserve the money I make and he did nothing to deserve being poor.

None of this matters. I will never catch up with the magnitude of ongoing taking that my body requires. I sure as hell didn’t choose this life, but that doesn’t matter either. I take more than I give and a sizeable percentage of the country wants me dead for it.

^^I give my blood frequently because I have a rare type and I can. I don’t think too much about who gets it but I certainly hope someone like you receives it.
I don’t think a sizeable portion want you to have any harm simply because you need more care. I think a sizeable portion just don’t like the healthcare politics. Most people I know even in this deeply red state are fed up with healthcare and want change.

You also deserve the money you make and probably more.

Here are some give back thoughts for those of us who are limited in our capacity of resources.
* Write, or send goodies to war zone troops. They love to get stuff they can share with buddies, like Lifesavers, or Pez.

* If you know someone who is without transportation, a bus pass, or cab vouchers can be a godsend.

Anybody else?
How can a giver with limited resources give back?