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leokat
United Kingdom
123 Posts |
 Posted - 06 Feb 2008 : 14:44:47
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quote:
Originally posted by gambiabev
... If I gave my guide £200 I know not a penny of it would be wasted. He is a good Muslim and is only thinking of providing for his family...
...I promised I would buy his mum a bed and matress. Perhaps he has included pillows and covers etc....Perhaps he wants her to have the top of the range. He loves her very much and she has just been widowed.
Bev I don't doubt for a moment that your guide would put any money you gave him to good use - but really! He ought to have been more open and honest with you. £200 is a lot of anyone's money and I don't think it's asking too much to expect him to breakdown this expenditure. He might also have given you a few quotes so that you could decide what you felt was reasonable.
I can also perfectly understand how he wants to do the best he is able to for his mum, but bear in mind that there is also most likely a bit of 'playing the big man' going on. There is a lot of competition between the guides and many of them vie with one another to see who has the most generous 'friend' or customer. There's a fine line between being kind and generous and being a mug.
You also ought to bear in mind that, if things get tough, the bed would probably be sold. You may be told the truth about this or some story like 'we had a flood (the rainy season is on the way) and the bed was ruined.'
My own personal rule of thumb is give only what I feel comfortable giving and have no expectations that the money will actually be spent how I expect it to be.
BTW I am forty seven years of age and have never had a new bed in my life. |
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jambo
3300 Posts |
Posted - 06 Feb 2008 : 15:13:49
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| leokat, thank you for your posting, i did wonder about the guides, i knew i was being played, being mug, has cost me plenty, but hey thats life. It is always after a visit, when everyone has seen the "FRIEND that they have" that you get email or phone call |
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jambo
3300 Posts |
Posted - 06 Feb 2008 : 15:20:05
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| forgto to add my was for a "computer for studying |
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Ramou
90 Posts |
Posted - 09 Feb 2008 : 18:11:44
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Bev,
I just returned from The Gambia, and did buy a bed for my sister for around £400. It came with a dresser & mirror, headboard, 2 night stands, mattress and a small closet (wardrobe). A couple of years ago I bought one for my mom for around £500. Remeber that some things are cheaper in the UK than back home!!
I think £200 is a reasonable estimate depending on the kind of bed you guide intends to buy.
Cheers,
Ramou
quote:
Originally posted by jambo
okay, point taken, but I have seen inside some houses, and I not sure that they would sepnd £200 on a bed, what is that 8000 dls, i think not. it just seems high
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"...he reminds one of the Duchess who, upon acquiring full appreciation of sex, asked the Duke if it were not perhaps too good for the common people" - Robert Solow, Nobel Laureate, 1967 Review of Galbraith's New Industrial State |
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gambiabev
United Kingdom
3091 Posts |
Posted - 09 Feb 2008 : 20:19:20
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Ramou, that is why I asked, because I wasnt sure. In the uk lots of things are cheaper than Gambia, which took me by surprise. We can buy very cheap second hand cars. Supermarkets have also bought down the price of electrical goods and clothes.
The last new bed I bought in the UK was about £250 and included a good quality mattress.
My car broke down this week and is going to cost quite a bit to repaar, so sadly the bed will have to wait for now....
My guide, is not a tour guide at the cost. He was a student at Gambia high when I original met him and he acts as my guide when I go to Gambia. He is well liked and respected in his village, from a good family. |
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