Selfish or not?

[Marc]

So while being hosted at a friend's house, when our kids were playing together, I noticed that the host child utilized the best toys for herself (i.e. the best squirt-gun, or the best crayon set for drawing)...

When I brought this up to my wife, she asked me when I take a friend hunting do I give them my best shotgun or do I use it for myself?  Or...  When I go fly-fishing, do I let my buddy use my favorite fly-rod, or do I use it for myself?

Upon a bit of self-reflection, I realized that perhaps my initial evaluation of her (being selfish) was made in some haste...  Or perhaps, I am a bit more selfish than I would care to admit...

I will continue to use the best rod or gun, and probably be considerably less judgmental with my own or other children keeping the good stuff to themselves as well.

Ahh...  The lessons that children teach us about ourselves....

[wvmntnhick]

As a parent, we tend to want to see our children with the best materials regardless what they are. Our opinions are biased so that certainly shades our feelings. That said, your wife brings up a solid point. I am particular about the fly rod I use when lending one to a friend. Guns however, its all the same. I've got a couple that have too much sentimental value to let others use them but for the most part, if I'm using it, it's fair game for others as well. Heck, I let my brother in law use my favorite gun a couple years ago and he darn near wrecked it. Lesson learned with him but most of my friends are capable of taking care of things so it's not a big deal for the most part.

[Happy]

I have many aquaintences but few true friends and I like it that way. Only two people have ever borrowed one of my guns, only one has borrowed my deer rifle and I will only divulge classified hunting info to one guy. Yet I will take many hunting and have called a decent amount of turkeys in for others. I don't think it's selfish to keep some of the best of what you have earned for yourself. At the same time I think you have helped others out which is more than many do these days. In my opinion true friendship is earned not just handed out.

[Greg Massey]

I have many aquaintences but few true friends and I like it that way. Only two people have ever borrowed one of my guns, only one has borrowed my deer rifle and I will only divulge classified hunting info to one guy. Yet I will take many hunting and have called a decent amount of turkeys in for others. I don't think it's selfish to keep some of the best of what you have earned for yourself. At the same time I think you have helped others out which is more than many do these days. In my opinion true friendship is earned not just handed out.

agree... x 2

[Farmboy27]

I have many aquaintences but few true friends and I like it that way. Only two people have ever borrowed one of my guns, only one has borrowed my deer rifle and I will only divulge classified hunting info to one guy. Yet I will take many hunting and have called a decent amount of turkeys in for others. I don't think it's selfish to keep some of the best of what you have earned for yourself. At the same time I think you have helped others out which is more than many do these days. In my opinion true friendship is earned not just handed out.

X3. I have never loaned a gun to a friend. But then again I was never asked.( I'm a lefty!).

[Gooserbat]

I'm a pretty generous guy.  I've loaned guns, bows, fishing poles, treestands, and put other guys in killing spots when they needed a deer for the table.  However there are some things that I don't.  I have some guns that don't hunt anyone but me, same with my recurves and certain rods. 

[Roost 1]

A guy told me along time ago there are 2 things you don't share with others, a good deer hunting spot and your woman... But said if it came down to one give them the woman!!!!!

[dejake]

When finding fault with others, I've found the following saying to be fairly accurate:  You spot it, you got it!

[fallhnt]

Local knowledge is best.

[sixbird]

I have some "things" that I value highly. I wouldn't lend those things out and true friends wouldn't think of asking to borrow them...My feeling is, I take special care of them and lending them would confer that responsibility to those friends. Anything happens to them, they're responsible. Some of those things can't be replaced. How would that person feel if they destroyed or damaged a gun that your dad gave you? How would you feel if put in that position? Sometimes it's best just understood that some things shouldn't be lent...I wouldn't ask to borrow certain things from anybody. I guess it's a little mercenary on my part since I wouldn't want the responsibility that comes with that...

[Tail Feathers]

It's mostly just human nature.  Your work hard for your money and want to enjoy your purchases.  I have a rule that I won't loan or borrow anything with a strong sentimental value, or that I can't afford to pay for if the unthinkable happens.
Friendships are worth that groundrule.

[hotspur]

When I am a guest at some ones lease I noticed that they give me the best gobbling turkey on they're  ground or so they say,

[mtns2hunt]

I have many aquaintences but few true friends and I like it that way. Only two people have ever borrowed one of my guns, only one has borrowed my deer rifle and I will only divulge classified hunting info to one guy. Yet I will take many hunting and have called a decent amount of turkeys in for others. I don't think it's selfish to keep some of the best of what you have earned for yourself. At the same time I think you have helped others out which is more than many do these days. In my opinion true friendship is earned not just handed out.

x2 Could have written this myself.