Hoo hoo, not pride, I assure you! But I was taught to refuse money once, then take it if they insist, that’s all. It’s just good manners, and we’re all about good manners. 
Trust me, I’ve already been thinking about who I know to ask to front me the money for my rebate from Dubya, so pride is not the issue…
Esprix
They insisted.
Can’t say thank you enough to this kind, kind person. I will, indeed, pay it forward when I am able.
Esprix
That’s pretty cool. I’m all warm & fuzzy now. What a group!
Poor Esprix. 
But, as you must know by now, at least we of the SDMB love you!
I am not quite as broke as you are, but I can identify with the above. Sometimes it seems as if I am the only one in my group of friends who ever comes up with anything fun to do (except for the subgroup whose idea of “fun” is “licking spilled vodka off the floor”).
I give people lovely handmade gifts for their birthdays, “the holiday season”, and graduation. I bought flowers for friends in the theater department on opening night. I leave people candy. Sometimes I just give people gifts or cards for no reason. Does anyone do these things for Lamia? No. Am I bitter? Well, sometimes. But even if my friends don’t appreciate me, at least I appreciate me.
Sorry to hear about all that, man. I recommend self pity. People throw the word around like it’s a bad thing, but I’ve found that a little dwelling on my problems and feeling sorry for myself makes me feel better. Sometimes it’s pretty absurd, which is why I don’t whine to people, but it makes me feel better and that’s what counts.
(I am not trying to flame you, really. Today I was feeling pretty shitty so I took a walk and felt sorry for myself because my roommate can’t work his voice mail. Cheered me right up.)
–John
Well, at least you have friends.
We’ve been in town for a little over a year.
We just started with our church, so they don’t know us well enough yet.
Me and my son are destitute.
If not for my dad, we’d be in a homeless shelter.
I have no money at all or job.
I like to take him to fairs and stuff, but my dad yells at us when we ask him for money.
Yet he buys about $150 worth of lottery tickets each month…