This story happened not too long ago and it was a small victory in choosing myself although I’m not sure if it made me an ass. Here’s the story.

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![color](http://home.kpn.nl/bonge008/BLOG/worth/2.jpg)

*Choosing a beer is much easier than choosing yourself.*

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My brother has a lot of friends. I know most of them and some well. But I only see them with birthdays or other occasions. We don’t visit each other like I do with my normal friends. (I hope the difference is clear).

# Receiving a message

A friend of my brother sends me a message one day (we never talk) out of nowhere and it went like this:

“*Yo! Bert here. I bought a router yesterday. The guy said I could create my own network. Is this true or can I just plug and play? If it’s true, I got cold Belgian beer ;)*”

I read the message and it just rubbed me the wrong way. Not the question but the last part. I don’t want to be paid in beer (unless it’s 6 crates an hour). It made me feel cheap.

So, I choose myself. I don’t work for free.

I decided not to respond. I was just irritated. I also quickly forgot about it.

# Six weeks later

My brother arranged a small party with his friends and invited me too. I go there and it’s fun. Bert joins the party later. I only now remember the message he had send again. I don’t mention it. But he does.

He says, “I send you a message not long ago and you didn’t reply, why did you do that?” 

Me, “Because you wanted to pay me in beer.”

He says, “That’s not true.” 

Me, “Then why did you write 'I got cold Belgian beer'?”

An awkward silence follows…(the type that takes too long). I know I am right with my thinking. But I don't like the confrontation. (I never do).

He says, “Errmm…I would have payed you in money…”.

The party was odd for 30 minutes after that but beer quickly fixed it.

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A month later I meet him again with my brother and everything is like normal again. And I mean totally normal. Like it never happened. And that’s fine with me. At least it’s clear now that I don’t work for free anymore although I think I acted a bit like an ass. 

To be honest. I’m still not sure how I could have handled the situation better. 

I don’t know why it’s so hard for me to tell the people that you know (but are not too close with) that if they ask for your help (on a professional level) that they must pay like any normal client. I much rather do something else otherwise. Like browsing Steemit or watching a show on Netflix or read a book. You name it. 

Handling these types of situations is a learning process and I’m in the centre of it. I’m getting better at handling them but the way I do it I feel could be better. Any tips are appreciated.

Thanks.

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![signature](http://home.kpn.nl/bonge008/BLOG/signature/signature2.jpg) Follow Me [@exyle](https://steemit.com/@exyle)