Honestly....I get that ALL the time! So do others working on projects. My neighbor put up a wrought iron fence, assembled in panels. Each panel cost $$. The neighbor across the street asked her if she had any fence panels left over, she could use them. The woman asking for panels had tons of money, yet wanted FREE ones.

Same neighbor saw landscaping plants being planted, 3 of them....she wanted the newly purchased plants to be divided and she would like one of the divisions. ?? I don't get it either....

Weird. I guess it never hurts to ask, as long as you're willing to take 'no' for an answer? If she'd asked for them for a local charity she volunteered with, I'd understand.....but for her son?

Geez - some people do have a lot of nerve, don't they? But really, what would make somebody think to even ask such a thing?

Perhaps they're not as affluent as they seem?

Nice to know I'm not the only one who thinks it's odd

While I don’t doubt what you quoted, perhaps the intent was just to say that her son is into art so if you’re ever looking for a home for old or unused stuff, she’d be interested. Nothing wrong with that, I’m always happy to know who might want stuff I’ve got no use for, rather than let it clutter up my house or head to the dump.

It is weird, but is it possible she didn't know where to buy art supplies? I would just send her a link.

I thought for sure you were going to say she asked you to give her a painting. I have a very talented friend who is an artist. You wouldn't believe the number of people who ask if they can have something she's made. As in, for free. Boggles my mind. 🤷‍♀️

That is weird.

Told her sorry but I use all my supplies at some point.

How did she react?

Her reaction was "oh I see " but I did tell her if he is just starting out that the Dollar Store sells basic acrylic paints. They are good for practicing.

It happens so often that I find when admiring someone's garden I get defensive responses like they think I am only complimenting to get some. I find that ANNOYING.

I've been on the receiving end a couple of times. My next door neighbor was remodeling and offered me first shot at any of the drywall she didn't use, and any dirt I wanted. Worked out perfectly for me, because I got to build a closet, and level out my yard. She complimented my yard a week later 😉 win-win

Rob, I prefer your story😉

Yes odd. I don't know what to make of it.

Maybe she had heard that you have stopped painting?

Grifting has become more in-vogue over the past few years, nyuk.

Surely I’m not the only one who’s said something to someone and afterwards thought, “Oh gosh, I hope they didn’t think I meant such-and-such” or take offense or whatever? Ever find out after the fact someone took something wrong and you have no clue why? Ever wonder how often people think such-and-such or take offense or whatever and you have no clue and never find out about it? Or are you all perfectly spoken at all times?

If someone habitually tries to get free stuff from me, I would take notice. There are examples within this thread. Once, asking about stuff I possibly don’t have use for? I’d give them the benefit of the doubt that they were just expressing an interest, should I happen to have something.

I think a lot more cluelessness, when it comes to social interactions these days - can we blame some of it on the pandemic?

People are strange.

I have the opposite problem, my neighbor is constantly asking me if I want some plants she doesn't want that are in her landscaping! HAHA! I always just have to decline because I really have no place left to put anything. I did get four plants last year though as I was redoing an area and they were perfect for that spot. :)

I guess it can't hurt to ask. As FOAS mentioned, you could have had stuff you weren't using and rather than throwing it out, the son could have used it.