800

This is my 800th post. My tradition when hitting a round number is to write something that indirectly relates to the number. Since was the first area code used for toll-free numbers in the United States (and Canada), today's post is on the concept of free.

My trust issues flare up when I see something that is free. Economically speaking, I am a strong believer that there is no such thing as a free lunch, so I always expect an angle when I see something for free. I think most people are like me to an extent on this, but maybe not to the same degree.

One example was a minor-league baseball game that Golden and I attended with a large group of people. We had "seats" on a grassy berm and a local bank was handing out free seat pads to anyone who would apply for a credit card. Most of the people sitting on the berm took the offer. I could not on principle and because I did not know what that would do to my credit score. I would have purchased the pads even at an inflated price had I had the option, but I would not have taken the "free" pads.

I have another problem with taking free things that I am certain qualifies as a psychological issue, and I am also fairly certain that it is an almost exclusively male issue. I have a very hard time accepting something for free because I do not feel that I have earned it, so I feel mildly indebted. For example, I hate taking free samples of food at the grocery store. I would rather pay the nickle or dime that the sample cost. I know that it does not make much sense, but the ability to pay even on something so small would ease my mind.

In short, I probably don't believe in such a thing as a free lunch because I don't want to.