The Indian Giver Syndrome
(Internet Published) May 2002
The North American Indians were said to have a peculiarity. If they gave
something they reserved the right to reclaim it at a later date. If they did
a favour they expected a return favour or perpetual gratitude for such gifts
of favours. This is surely a very primitive part of human nature not
confined to North American Indians.
In the modern pigeon world there are many examples of conditions of sale or
gifts:
1) I will give or sell pigeons but only if you agree not to re-sell or give
them to a third party
2) If you decide to get rid of them then I demand that you return them to me
3) I will give or sell pigeons on conditions that you must send to me some
young ones of Squeaker age from the stock that I supply
4) If I help you in any way I expect you to be forever grateful and tell
everyone how good I have been to you Surely, this is rotten attitude! If we
give something then we should forget it? I would never accept conditional
gifts. From day one these purchases or gifts are terminal and we reserve the
right to dispose of them as we choose. We may even dislocate their necks in
a few days or cherish them for a long time.
Never in my life have I parted with a pigeon that I could not easily spare.
I have never asked a man to sell me any pigeons that he could not spare
easily. I never did a favour to any man that I didn't forget within 5
minutes of delivery. In all fairness, I have to confess that I haven't given
very much away nor done very many favours - We Yorkshire men of Old England
are not known for their generosity and charity!