Fundraiser not fun

Friendship abuse or just rude?

IWe recently attended a silent auction fundraiser for our children's school. We bid on, and won, a "class project" item that I was quite fond of and felt lucky to have won. After the bids closed, everyone was asked to be seated for the chariman's opening address and subsequent dinner. Just when dinner was being served, some friends of ours arrived. They were flustered that they had arrived so late and the wife was upset that all bids had closed. She came over to me and asked what my bid number was and if I had won the item from our sons' class. When I confirmed my winning, she asked if she clould have the item. I told her that I did in fact what it and tried to make light of it. Later in the dinner I tried twice to chat with her and she cut me off both times. Finally I said she could have the item if she really wanted it and she took me up on it! I'm still dumbfounded by the whole thing and it has affected how I feel about our friendship. -- Carlene in MI

NuKazoo readers shared their experiences:

Friendships are made or broken by events like this. I've had experiences where so-called "friends" showed their true colors. The only consulation is now you know she was never a friend in the first place. Sometimes honesty hurts, but it's better than the alternative.

-- Cinda, Chicago

Someone should write a book about the ugly underbelly of fundraisers. I've known of other abuses, such as fixing bids, uneven bid closings, and not-so-random raffle drawings. I've tried to approach those things with caution. Bummer for you that you let yourself get roped in to your friend's greed.

-- S.K.

I always lose when I make a friend's problem my own. Listen and empathize, but don't fix. If you do, you run the risk of becoming a doormat!

-- Trish H. in WI

[ << Back ] [ Next >> ]

Home | Suggest | Sign up | Archives | Unsubscribe | Contact us | About | FAQ | Privacy

© Copyright 2006-2008 NuKazoo LLC. All rights reserved.