Search Party or Not . . .?

I have always wondered what to do when people disappear from your life suddenly. Oh, I don't mean they move away or die but just stop checking in with you and sharing trials and tribulations. I also have to wonder about people who check in and out or our lives at will like there hasn't been an hiatus in contact. I know a couple of 'friends' like this. They are constantly on your Facebook/e-mail and suddenly, your last note to them go unanswered . . . for months so you put the friendship aside and set them free! Then, they show up, again, and are constant in contact . . . until they disappear . . . again!

Greed or Stupidity?

What is it about some people who take advantage of a good intention? I dated a guy once and a mutual friend invited us to dinner. The friend could afford dinner but it was definitely a little sacrifice on his part to offer the treat. My date, knowing this, STILL ordered the most expensvie item on the menu and we are talking over $30 for his entree. I have always wondered if he was exhibiting greed over the prospect of an expensive meal he wouldn't have to pay for or he was just, plain stupid in matter of social rubrics. We parted company soon after that and I think this meal out contributed greatly to my decision!

I keep running into this type of behavior, however, and from somewhat unexpected sources. One friend invited a lonely fellow parishioner to a simple breakfast. Again, the friend was not wealthy but she felt moved to offer this other person a little treat and companionship. Breakfast is usually an inexpensive prospect but her guest proceeded to order a complete breakfast PLUS several additional sides, coffee, cocoa, milk, and orange juice. She topped it all off by ordering pie to go. Again, was it greed or gross stupidity?

Some gentlemen I knew decided to have a man's morning out and have an early lunch before going on with their day. A female aquaintance overheard their plans and pushed her way into the outing by inviting herself. The man in the group who was treating was more than a bit shocked when not only did he have to pay for her meal, too, but she ordered a complete one to go . . . on his tab. Greed or social stupidity?

Thinking about it, I'm hoping these people were just stupid when it came to the nicities of accepting an invitation. It would be very sad to think they would plan on taking advantage of people. Whether it was greed or stupidity, this kind of person will eventually find themselves lonely as second invites will be long in coming. Knowing one of the 'players' in the restaurant game, I would be very quick to ask for separate checks if she invitied herself to my table. Sad world when there is more take than give in our behavior.