clay_aiken Posted January 20, 2005 Share Posted January 20, 2005 I'm posting under a pseudonym, I'm a regular contributor here, but I don't want my plan to be discovered. I've been shooting IPSC for several years. Many of the more experienced shooters in my local club have been very generous to me in terms of helping me navigate the sport. Two of them in particular have been very generous to me and also shoulder a lot of the responsibility for putting on the matches. I want to thank them in some way. But I'm not sure how. Spending some money is certainly doable, but I'm curious if anyone else has done this sort of thing, thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cpty1 Posted January 20, 2005 Share Posted January 20, 2005 IMO, any thanks, especially monetary, is unfortunately rare, and as such, something as simple as a free lunch I would think would be greatly appreciated by the recipient. Obviously, they are doing it for reasons other than monetary, so anything at all would go a long way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nik Habicht Posted January 20, 2005 Share Posted January 20, 2005 Someone local to me has been known to buy a nice knife as a gesture of appreciation --- everyone can use another knife, especially if it's pretty (rainbow Leek, anyone?) or cool..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flexmoney Posted January 20, 2005 Share Posted January 20, 2005 I think a nice hand-shake while you confirm what time setup starts for the next match ought to do it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JFD Posted January 20, 2005 Share Posted January 20, 2005 Speaking as a former MD, I'd be very happy if an appreciative sort of person showed up early to help setup, and stayed late to help teardown. I'm pretty sure these folks would be happier to have your physical help instead of a gift. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
warpspeed Posted January 20, 2005 Share Posted January 20, 2005 I can't think of a single person I shoot with who would not like a nice folder as a gift. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Dunn Posted January 20, 2005 Share Posted January 20, 2005 Or you could sing for them! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shred Posted January 20, 2005 Share Posted January 20, 2005 After-match food and/or beers are always good too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
diehli Posted January 20, 2005 Share Posted January 20, 2005 Or you could sing for them! Please don't sing for them... just go out and be a target stand. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jake Di Vita Posted January 20, 2005 Share Posted January 20, 2005 Actions speak louder than words. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam Posted January 22, 2005 Share Posted January 22, 2005 Clay, I share your experience of having been mentored by people that I feel are among the very best. I really can't describe the feeling of gratitude in words, but many people know it. This is a debt that cannot be repaid. Instead of trying to find a way to return the gift, simply pass it on. Find someone who is newer than you and begin to mentor them. In this way, the knowledge of the ones you seek to honor never dies, but grows. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nik Habicht Posted January 22, 2005 Share Posted January 22, 2005 Clay, I share your experience of having been mentored by people that I feel are among the very best. I really can't describe the feeling of gratitude in words, but many people know it. This is a debt that cannot be repaid. Instead of trying to find a way to return the gift, simply pass it on. Find someone who is newer than you and begin to mentor them. In this way, the knowledge of the ones you seek to honor never dies, but grows. Words from a wise man. As usual, I was too literal in my response. Pass on the knowledge..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SiG Lady Posted January 22, 2005 Share Posted January 22, 2005 Any/all of the above. BTW---Rainbow Leek... GORGEOUS. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pierruiggi Posted January 22, 2005 Share Posted January 22, 2005 I think that the best "thank you" you can give them is an honest, "thank you for helping me". I personally feel uncomfortable if someone thanks me by giving me a relatively expensive gift, I'd much rather have a meal or go out tp play some pool as a thanks token. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nik Habicht Posted January 22, 2005 Share Posted January 22, 2005 BTW---Rainbow Leek... GORGEOUS.[/color] I won the Rainbow scallion or chive --- the tiny one --- at my first Summer Blast. Since it was too small for me, I gave it to Carol, who noticed me ogling it and got me the Leek for Christmas..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam Posted January 22, 2005 Share Posted January 22, 2005 .....well, yeah...I mean of course a knife, a game of pool, and a steak dinner are also very nice expressions of gratitude. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rhino Posted January 22, 2005 Share Posted January 22, 2005 Clay ... pseudonym? C'mon! We know you want to "thank" Reuben Studdard for his help with your career! I agree on all counts. A nice folding knife is a great gift for anyone. Helping with match duties is an even better gift. Helping another up-and-coming shooter is greater still. Do all three! Speaking of knife giving ... I used to do it frequently ... but I've learned from some European-American sub-cultures consider it bad luck to give a knife to a friend. Don't know why, since you're giving them the most fundamental survival tool known to our race. To me it's a very serious message "I care about you and your life" kind of symbol. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nik Habicht Posted January 22, 2005 Share Posted January 22, 2005 The Vietnamese believe that giving a knife to someone means that you wish to sever (cut) the bonds of friendship....... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
diehli Posted January 22, 2005 Share Posted January 22, 2005 The Vietnamese believe that giving a knife to someone means that you wish to sever (cut) the bonds of friendship....... Was going to post something, but thought better of it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3quartertime Posted January 23, 2005 Share Posted January 23, 2005 Or you could sing for them! Please don't sing for them... just go out and be a target stand. Clay, Aren't you the one that sings that ' Invisible' or something song? That's not too bad. Go ahead and belt out that one, then get to the target holdn' I agree with the handshake and time for next match set-up. In our local area folks drive a ways to shoot so most don't go for lunch or drinks afterwards ( unless the hotshots from the east come to visit!!!). One way I think to best show thanks is to step up and help run the matches. I think most of the more seasoned shooters appreciate the ability to just come and shoot the match. Becoming an RO and or volunteering to run the clipboard is a pretty good payback... ...Of course I RO at most every local match I go to. If someone wanted to drop a knife or two in the beat to crap blue dillon bag with the broken (now missing) shoulder strap I wouldn't be toooooooo insulted!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam Posted January 23, 2005 Share Posted January 23, 2005 Speaking of knife giving ... I used to do it frequently ... but I've learned from some European-American sub-cultures consider it bad luck to give a knife to a friend. The Vietnamese believe that giving a knife to someone means that you wish to sever (cut) the bonds of friendship....... Yes Nik, there is a very similar belief in Corporate American culture. Knives are often given as a surprise gift and delivered surreptitiously between the shoulder blades, whilst quoting the well known scripture " it is much more blessed to give than to receive". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jasonub Posted January 24, 2005 Share Posted January 24, 2005 maybe a kiss seriously, food always seem to be the best. That way you can extract more info Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tightloop Posted January 24, 2005 Share Posted January 24, 2005 How about just telling then Thanks....that works for me.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Dunn Posted January 25, 2005 Share Posted January 25, 2005 The best thanks for a shooter who has helped to mentor you is to kick their a$$ in a match. Hasn't happened to me yet, but someday I hope to "Thank" Ron and Sam. BTW, a serious thanks to both of you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chews Posted January 25, 2005 Share Posted January 25, 2005 Speaking of knife giving ... I used to do it frequently ... but I've learned from some European-American sub-cultures consider it bad luck to give a knife to a friend. Don't know why, since you're giving them the most fundamental survival tool known to our race. To me it's a very serious message "I care about you and your life" kind of symbol. My grandfather always told me it was bad luck to "give" someone a knife. You can "let them carry your knife" or sell it to them. He was not European-American, he was pure Texan. He let me carry his knife for what turned out to be eternity. He even made me give him a penny for the knife he gave me for Christmas one year. I still have both of them and they will some day go to my sons...for a penny each. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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