Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and he'll eat forev

[rosegold]

Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and he'll eat forever.

What are some specific examples of this? Sounds good but I couldn't think of any specific examples.

[funchy]

Friend comes crying to you that he can't understand his math homework. You can let him copy your answers, and he'll get through the day. OR you teach him the concepts so he can get his own answers, and he'll be able to do that math forever.

Or a friend who is down on their luck: give them $500 in cash and they'll eat this week. Buy them a job-retraining class for that $500 and they'll be able to earn what they need for the rest of their life.

Or a friend keeps getting flat tires and calls you for help. You could change the tire for them. Or you could take the time to teach them to replace the tire, so they'd be able to do this themselves.

[ragtag]

This is all true and nice examples.

There is one problem though. Quite a few people tend to be a bit lazy, so they would rather you just keep giving them fish than be bothered to learn how to catch fish themselves. Which is unfortunate.

A typical example are friends of mine that keep coming to me with computer problems. They are not stupid, and could easily learn the basics of computer operation, but I guess it's easier to ask me...and I guess I'm to kind so I just give them the fish rather then teach them how to do it themselves.

Hmmm....that sounded kind of negative. Wasn't meant to be.

[Restrikted]

Originally Posted by ragtag

There is one problem though. Quite a few people tend to be a bit lazy, so they would rather you just keep giving them fish than be bothered to learn how to catch fish themselves. Which is unfortunate.

A typical example are friends of mine that keep coming to me with computer problems. They are not stupid, and could easily learn the basics of computer operation, but I guess it's easier to ask me...and I guess I'm to kind so I just give them the fish rather then teach them how to do it themselves.

Then this quote might come in handy:
"Give a man fire and he’s warm for a day; set a man on fire and he’s warm for the rest of his life."

Just kidding. I know what it's like to have people come to you with computer problems, I'm "that guy." After seeing this Dilbert comic, I think I'll start asking people for something in return every time they ask me to fix their computer.

[Eisho]

Originally Posted by rosegold

Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and he'll eat forever.

What are some specific examples of this? Sounds good but I couldn't think of any specific examples.

Think of raising a child. If you keep doing everything for the child he or she will remain dependent on you. But if you teach the child to do things - dress himself, feed himself, go to the bathroom himself - then he is set up for life.

The trick is to understand how it applies to yourself. Are you happy to be fed fish daily or do you prefer to be taught to fish?

Cheers,

Eisho

[funchy]

Originally Posted by ragtag

There is one problem though. Quite a few people tend to be a bit lazy, so they would rather you just keep giving them fish than be bothered to learn how to catch fish themselves.

That's when you show them a little tough-love. They take the "learning" or they get no fish. Continually being a crutch is just enabling their laziness or bad habits. (I am such a meanie)

[funchy]

Originally Posted by Eisho

The trick is to understand how it applies to yourself. Are you happy to be fed fish daily or do you prefer to be taught to fish?

Great question.

That's where dignity & independence comes in. I'd rather the pride in knowing I can do what I need without waiting or needing others. If I learn how to do it myself, nobody will stop me from accomplishing my goal.

[bbdream8]

Teaching others the concept of getting their own food is better than giving it to them but the greatest obstacle will be whether they are willing to learn.

You can't teach a man unless he is willing to learn.

Cheers
Vincent
Personal Development Blogger

[Capstan]

"Give a man a fish and he'll eat for a day; teach a man to fish and he'll sit in a boat and drink beer."

[Brutha]

A typical example are friends of mine that keep coming to me with computer problems. They are not stupid, and could easily learn the basics of computer operation, but I guess it's easier to ask me...and I guess I'm to kind so I just give them the fish rather then teach them how to do it themselves.

That's your choice to make.

[splat]

Helping poverty stricken countries with foreign aid.

You can shut your eyes and throw billions of dollars in the general direction of the problem, which may help temporarily - or you could teach new technology, help develop better infrastructure, education etc.

[rosegold]

Originally Posted by splat

Helping poverty stricken countries with foreign aid.

You can shut your eyes and throw billions of dollars in the general direction of the problem, which may help temporarily - or you could teach new technology, help develop better infrastructure, education etc.

Good one.

[spressnell]

I love that quote. People love to help those who don't have as much and that is great. But instead of just giving them food and money, teach them something they can used to earn money for themselves. The same thing with giving people advice, show them a way to get out of their current situation, but also how to be more responsible the next time.

Shirley

[silicon toad2000]

Quite a few of my family and friends come to me to do their tax. Every year I have them do more and more of it themselves. The first year my brother in law was just clueless of what figure to put where and what he could claim. Last year he did his own.
A lot of the same people come to me with computer problems, each time i giude them through how to do things and how to find information. Most ring me less and less. (either they are learning or they're finding some other poor sap who will fix it without making them do all the work)
My oldest daughter (7) likes scrambled eggs. She makes her own now after I let her do more and more of the prepartion each time.