My beloved won us an awesome new TV last week. It is ginormous. We already had a TV. It's still good, just not as good as the new one. We don't believe in keeping a TV in the bedroom (it keeps us from sleeping), and we don't have room elsewhere.
So I'm thinking, we know a single mother who works her guts out for her two kids. Her TV's very old and is thisclose to its last days. We'd like to give her the old TV. But she's got a lot of pride, and we don't want it to come off like we're insulting her.
How do we present the idea to her--or should we just give it to a charity?
2006-08-15 02:43:40 · 11 answers · asked by GreenEyedLilo 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
If you know her pretty well, just ask her.
If you don't know her that well, you may mention it in conversation "since my beloved won the new TV, we're not sure what to do with the old one. I'd like to see someone get some good use out of it, especially since it's still pretty new and in great shape. Any ideas?" You're giving her an opportunity without making her feel like a charity case. Also, if she doesn't bite, then you can just donate it to a charity.
2006-08-15 02:51:05 · answer #1 · answered by sylvia 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I would bring the subject up casually. Start by telling her you have a TV you are trying to get rid of and ask if she would like to have it. Don't mention her old TV. That would make her angry. If a prideful person is asked casually if they want something, most of the time they don't feel required to accept whatever is being offered. If she take it, you feel good for helping her out. If she doesn't take it, at least you gave her the opportunity. Either way you should be happy.
2006-08-15 09:56:02 · answer #2 · answered by godspeed1986 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
You are a good person to think of this single mom. I like the other answers- just tell her what you told us. Your spouse won a tv and you want to "get rid" of the "old" tv. If she doesn't take it, you are considering calling Good Will or the Salvation Army. Give her the chance to say "yes" or "no, thanks."
If she offers to pay you, you could say, "No, we would have given it to Good Will if you didn't want it." Or, if she is a good baker you could say, "The next time you make some cookies or brownies, we would love a batch. We don't have time to bake around here."
(or something like that!)
I hope she accepts your offer. It's not too often that people are kind like you guys.
2006-08-15 10:22:09 · answer #3 · answered by Malika 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
You have to be more resourceful on this one. A single mother with two kids who works hard would NOT have a huge need for a "ginormous TV". What I would do, albeit more work, is SELL this TV and buy a smaller tv, in addition to other stuff she might need (a microwave, toaster, etc).
2006-08-15 09:53:48 · answer #4 · answered by Kookoo Bananas 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I would mention to her your good fortune in winning a tv and ask if she has room for your old one since you do not need it any longer. something like:
"Hey Kim,
Ron was at a blah blah and put his name in for a new tv. Amazingly he won and we got a new tv. We were wondering if you could use our old tv. If not we will give it to goodwill. Just let us know if you do want it. If so Ron can drop it off on Saturday."
Generally people do not get angry at free stuff unless you come across as better than them.
2006-08-15 09:52:09 · answer #5 · answered by kyrie_eleison_gr 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
be honest to a point (aka don't mention her's is about to die)
say you just won a TV, but your last one is still in such good shape it's a shame to throw it away. And then ask if her and her kids would like it.
2006-08-15 17:18:15 · answer #6 · answered by njyecats 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
How about, "I just can't figure out what to do with this TV we've got. It's in the way and driving us crazy. Do you know anyone that could use it?" If she says no, then just drop the subject and try Goodwill or freecycle.org.
2006-08-15 09:50:14 · answer #7 · answered by francesfarmer 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
WOW that is nice - tell her you would like to share your windfall and offer it to her. If she says not so be it -- but it is a very kind gesture and considering how you came by your new TV it really will not sound like charity!
2006-08-15 10:08:04 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Just ask her if she knows anyone who could use the TV. She'll have to answer.
2006-08-15 10:15:23 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
You get one point for your kindness.
But you might get minus points by misunderstanding.
So, be very very careful about it.
The best idea is, just damp your TV where she can see .
She might get brighter idea for her need .
2006-08-15 10:28:22 · answer #10 · answered by AHA 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋