Question about recieving help from friends... ( Archived) (10)

Like alot, have gone through a minor finacial crunch as of late. Now, I am a self sufficient kind of person and honestly hate the idea of handouts and free rides. However, I have had a woman offer me over 10,000 pounds a few months back (British denomination). I have no need for such an amount of money so I graciously and nicely turned it down. It really seemed to destroy our friendship however and I honestly can't remember the last time we had talked. At the time I really didn't need anything.

Now, I take care of my 16yr old neice, whom my sister is supposed to pay support for, but yeah, thats a joke. I ran into a small financial problem (nothing that won't take care of itself in time, just need to economize), and a friend offered to give me 50$. Now again, I'm good and never asked nor hinted toward such an offer. Should I just accept it for friendships sake or is this a damned if you do damned if you dont kind of thing? I'd reallly hate to lose a good friend just because I feel as though I am well enough off although it frustrates me to no end when my sister doesn't pay her support,but I don't want to lose another friendship, just because I don't accept their money. Is it insulting to turn down money when it is offered?

Also don't want to accept money adn there always be that "well I did give you $$" stigma as well.

You must of hinted that you were in hardship as its not as if we sit on the verandah having a smoke and start to think which one of our mates are doing it tough

I worded that abit wrong but you get my jist cause unless someone confided in me I wouldnt have the faintest what goes on behind closed doors

I was asked how I was doing, and I'm very open. But I never mentioned anything such as finances or the such. Again, things are tough, but they are "doable". I've learned to make alot w/ little when I have too.

I was honestly confused myself as to where the offer came from in & of itself honestly. They know my background quite well (it's someone I've known for years),so maybe it was just a general sense on their part, but still, like I said, im good with what I have, but, I don't want to run the risk of ruining a friendship over something petty like $

Me to mate and even if I was doing it tough I wouldnt dare say a thing..

Im not saying your wrong Im talking about just me..

I live from week to week and hey even when us westernised countries of peeps think we are doing it tough..

We are just a greedy race as more thought should go to countries such as Ethiopia ect

That's what I was looking for is a gracious way to decline. I'm a very straight-foward type of person and sometimes that can be a gift (nice to know what someones intentions are) but can also be a curse (some people take bluntness to be an insult).

ty