Thought: On comparing physical appreciation with mental appreciation
The Reader Appreciation Week starts tomorrow, and that got me into thinking about something. Winning prizes can be cool. However, when we give away prizes to readers in order to appreciate, are we sending a signal that physical prizes are better than virtual words and gestures when it comes to appreciating? Is it necessary show appreciation in a physical form, or can we simply convey our feelings through emotions and words to someone else and be satisfied?
Is tangible and intangible appreciation the same, or is one better than the other?
Do we always have to give some tangible things to other people in order to show appreciation? Do intangible items have any place in the appreciation world? Do you think tangible items show more care and concern for others, since intangible items like words and feelings can sometimes be faked in order to portray a feeling of appreciation when in reality one does not care about appreciation at all?
What if tangible appreciation gets you nothing in return?
I think these series of questions can be applied in real life also. For example, in relationships, does a person have to buy something for his or her lover in order to show love? What if even after giving tangible gifts to someone, an individual does not get anything back in return? What should be done then?
That last example can be turned around and applied to your blog readers also. What if after all the love in the online world that you give to your readers, they still ignore you after getting all the gifts and simply move on? Do you not show love and appreciation to expect even a tiny feeling back in return?
You should find out whether or not you yourself prefer tangible appreciation over intangible appreciation
I personally do not know the answers to these questions that can be applied to every situation, as experience has taught me that both tangible and intangible gifts can result in favors and also in misery. I guess you have to look at life as a big puzzle piece full of smaller pieces that need to be dealt with individually. If you want to appreciate someone, you have to figure out whether they value tangible or intangible appreciation, and whether or not you are ok with their preference.
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( April 8th, 2007 at 11:56 pm )
You probably already know this, but I like when tangible presents and things are handmade from the person giving it, which is the easiest way to add a personal touch to something.
“…physical prizes are better than virtual words…”
Well, if the virtual words are “$xxx gift certificate”… that’s definitely different than saying “thanks” ;p
“When if after all the love in the online world that you give to your readers, they still ignore you after getting all the gifts and simply move on?”
Would you prefer that they stay and feign interest out of guilt?
( April 9th, 2007 at 12:36 am )
That is an interesting idea; making a tangible item yourself. It could be a paperboard, a decoration piece or even a drawing or a letter of some special kind.
Hmmm, you may be right: a gift certificate along with a thank you note speaks louder than just a “thank you” alone.
That line you quoted, “When if after all the love in the….” it was supposed to start with a “When“; I corrected the sentence now.
Regarding that sentence, I was focusing more on the giver than the taker. You are right; acting nice because of feeling guilty, in my view, can be bad. What I was referring to was the interest and the intention of the giver; would they feel affected or obliged to rethink their values or ideas of appreciation if the person they try to do favors for or appreciate does not return any favor or give any attention back?
How does that sound?
( April 9th, 2007 at 11:11 pm )
“That line you quoted, “When if after all the love in the….†it was supposed to start with a “When“; I corrected the sentence now.”
Sorry, but I can’t help but laugh at that
“What I was referring to was the interest and the intention of the giver; would they feel affected or obliged to rethink their values or ideas of appreciation if the person they try to do favors for or appreciate does not return any favor or give any attention back?”
I was referring to the same thing. The question I posed is an extension of that. If they realize that they do want something back, such as attention, would they still want it if it was faked, if the recipient only stayed on the site out of guilt.
( April 11th, 2007 at 10:18 am )
lo.. You are funny and way too observant, which is awesome! Yes, sorry, it was supposed to be “What“, heh. :p
Nice! It makes more sense now. I personally would not want something fake, or if the recipient stayed around because of guilt. I wonder if many people even focus on finding out whether or not certain feelings that they get are fake or not, or if people are returning favors of any kind simply because they feel guilty otherwise?
I see so many similar cases almost everyday, I should start a posting series or a blog talking about similar things and what happens to people in the end. I guess one should feel extremely lucky if they are with someone who sincerely returns sincere favor only because they want to?