First off, sorry I haven't really updated here in a while! ^^;; I've been updating my hockey blog quite frequently, and my HHOF Presents course blog weekly as well, so unfortunately LS and my devo blog have been getting the shaft.
Anyway, my topic for today is something that maybe should've been put on my hockey blog, but whatever... So yeah, I'm not sure if I mentioned it here before or not, but I'm something of a "teacher's pet" in my HHOF Presents course. ^^;; I'm not consciously trying to be, it's just that I'm so excited about the course and I admire and like my instructors so much, it just kind of works out that way.
Well, the big thing I guess is that since the third week or so of class I've been getting rides down to class with my instructors--usually Kevin, this week Phil. Then this week I also got a ride home with Phil.
Yes, so earlier on I tried to get Kevin to allow me to contribute to the parking and/or gas costs:
Ah, and I probably should have brought this up earlier, but would you allow me to help pay for the parking and/or gas costs? It's the least I can do considering that you're saving me the trouble and stress of waiting for the bus, watching for my stop, etc., and giving me company and discussion on the commute besides that. ^_^ I'd really like to, and I do have a full-time job, so it's not like I'm a starving student who needs to save every penny or anything.
Apparently my persuasion skills are quite lacking, as he rejected the idea very firmly: "No way will you contribute anything. I have to go anyway plus you are great company and helping us so much with the group. No discussion, but I appreciate the offer."
So then I thought I'd try another tack and came up with this: "*sigh* At least let me treat you and Phil to lunch or something one day when you're free?"
But even in that I failed: "Sounds good but we'll fight over the bill then. Maybe we'll let Phil win!"
Now, here's where the "great minds (think alike)" part comes in. Since I got a ride home with Phil this week, I sent him a thank you email this morning:
Thanks so much for the ride last night! I know you must've been tired, so I really appreciate the extra time you took to drop me off. Plus, it turns out that my dad was sick enough that he also had to take today off from work, so it really helped that he was able to stay home and rest last night, instead of picking me up.
Since Kevin has already firmly rejected my request to help pay for parking and/or gas, I would really appreciate it (as I've mentioned to Kevin already) if you guys would allow me to take you out to lunch or something as a thank you one day when you're both free! I'm guessing (well, not really guessing) you've got the busier/least flexible schedule, so if you'd like to pick a date/time and a place that's convenient for you guys, my schedule's almost completely flexible!
And his reply was eerily similar to Kevin's: "Thanks for the note.....but the pleasure was all mine! You don't owe us anything...as we are going that way anyway. I will tell you what, one day we can go for lunch...but we will buy,...okay Kevin will buy!"
LOL It's quite impressive how they both basically rejected my offer in the same way.
*sigh* I AM wondering though how to get them to accept my offer of lunch. Maybe I should try explaining that it's very insulting in Chinese culture when people don't accept an offer to be treated? (Is that even remontely close to true, or am I making it up? I don't even know "Chinese culture" yet I call myself Chinese!! ^^;;) I don't know. Good thing I already made plans for thank-you tokens they can't refuse, but still...
