Thread: Generous, Foolish, or "Gentlemanly"

On thinking about what Ludvig has just said it occurred to me that the definition of a true gentleman (or mench if it pleases you) or gentlewoman is an individual who acts out of a desire to do good in some way without bringing attention to one's self and, in general, shuns the spotlight. A true act of paying it forward. An example: My Grandmother on my Mother's side visited an old peoples home near her almost everyday for close to thirty years. No one in the family knew of this until she passed and a large delegation from the home attended her funeral. I'm no Polyanna, but that event is in a way a guidepost for my life. Do as little harm as possible, help where and when you can. Protest injustice. And if necessary, kick ass as needed.

Razorfeld, that is a wonderful story. Ludvig is right on in how the "ungentle" are making it harder for others simply through the law if diminishing returns, but I hope there shall always be people out there who continue to be "mench" simply because it is right, and not because we seek anything in return.
But one needs to be careful to not fall into the "Foolish" category too often, or too easily. Otherwise, I think the word becomes schmendrick or would that be schlemiel?

There have been times I have felt "suckered" selling. To prevent myself from resenting myself or others, I have tried to give myself a mental "spot check" when selling things.
Sort of like the personal equivalent of the Rotary Club rules.

Will I be upset if I sell this?
Will I be upset if buyer sells this?
Will I be upset if it sells for too little?

If its a razor (or any other item really) that for what ever reason I would be unhappy if I part with it, I do my best to find other ways to raise money. Put that item back into the "MINE!" pile and choose something less important.

If either of the other reasoning come to play, I set a minimum price at which I will be happy. Be it a set start price on the bay, or fixed price here on SRP
Its nice to hear others also try to live by example, instead of by the bad examples set by others.

Magpie, schmendrick and schlemiel are both useable in that context. A little stronger would be putz denoting a very crude foolish person who has no clue about just about every thing. This being a family oriented forum I will not list the additional, descending in politeness, words/phrases that delineate lesser personalities.

I just recently struggled with what you spoke of in setting prices on eBay. I thinned my rotation and put a small number of lesser name razors at reasonable prices up for auction and they were bought by people that gave me glowing feedback. One surprised me at the final price but the rest meet my criteria for reasonable.