General Chat

Researchers in Germany have pinpointed a stretch of DNA that makes people stingy with their cash according to the Daily Mail this week.

According to the study that saw those with the gene giving less to charity than other, one in four of us carry this ‘mean gene’, which we inherited from our parents.

The scientists running the study tested for the presence of a gene gene called COMT by taking samples of cells from inside the mouths of 101 young men and women.

The gene in question influences brain chemistry in a way that is believed to affect our generosity. To test this, the participants played a gambling computer game and told that they could donate some of their winnings to the poor. The type of COMT gene they had didn’t affect how much they won.

They were shown an image of a little girl in Peru to tug on their heart strings. Over 20% of those with the ‘G’ version of the gene gave all of their winnings away, while less than 2% of those with the ‘A’ version of the gene did the same.

On average, those with the 'A' version gave less than half as much to charity, the University of Bonn study found.

However, the researchers were keen to point out that other factors, such as upbringing, education and religion also play a role.

..and, one presumes the amount of cash in real life!!!.....

I pay £10 a month by standing order to a cancer charity and a guy rang me a couple of days ago asking me if I could increase it to £20. I said no, because I already do the same for several other charities and couldn't afford to increase it at the moment. He was quite pushy and asked me if I would consider changing my standing order to direct debit. I fobbed him off saying I would think about it, but can anyone tell me what difference it would make changing from standing order to direct debit please. He's going to phone me again.

Thankyou John. Funnily enough, I've just had another call from them, a lady this time, and I said I would prefer to keep things as they are for the time being. Glad I asked on here.

Wendy, don't change the S.O. to D.D. A Standing Order is a set amount to be paid on an arranged date, a Direct Debit gives the person taking the money the chance to take whatever they like! His request gives them a licence to print money - I think anyone taking a D.D. has to advise you of the amount they intend to take beforehand but it still takes control from you so stick to what you have arranged and want to pay.
I bet a lot of people don't realise what they are leaving themselves open to if they change the method of payment, it's a disgrace that they are working this way.


hi Len, I can go along with that, did it mention anything about a thin upper lip as well, as that was always supposed to show meanness.

My o.h. could afford to give to charity sometimes but he is hard hearted and never gives even when there are these disasters shown on tv and people need help. He sits there in his little bubble and shows no compassion. I have to prise a pound coin from his hand at fetes for raffles etc to raise funds for the cause of the fete. Me - if I had enough money to spare I would give more than I already manage to do.

I couldn't see the signs when I met him as for the first few years he wore a moustache, same as his thin lipped father, oh and his son who just had the baby has the same lip and is very cautious with his money except for spending on himself (same as o.h. and his Dad) His poor little daughter has the same lip, it was very noticeable even on her first scan.


Lizx

Thankyou PSD - I'm a bit worried now. She (strangely, now I think about it) also asked me to confirm my first name, which I did. It's not 'Wendy', which I have always been known as, and I do tend to give the name 'Wendy' (because I hate my real first name!) when filling in forms etc. (if I can get away with it). Having read threads on here recently about fraud though, I'm a bit concerned. Think I'll give my bank a ring tomorrow.

I know a guy with a thin upper lip and he is seriously mean!!!

Common Sense has prevailed and I've cancelled my standing order. I can reinstate it later.

Wend.

If I was asked to double the money I gave I would tell them to get lost.
Some charities have a cheek.
I collected a couple of hundred at my Dads funeral for cancer research. A year later the asked if I would leave them money in my will lol

We got 6 xmas cards sent, foot/mouth painting. They want £6-95p for them. It says you can keep them for free or return. I will keep them but i'm not sending them money. If they had been maybe £2-3 fair enough, or if they had sent an envelope to return I would.
Do I feel guilty? no. I didnt ask for them.

I think I've got the mean gene lol

I know you're right, Marion - I think I'm a bit of a 'soft touch' sometimes. I don't like being 'hassled' by these people on the phone though. I do think that's a cheek.

I've got a very full upper lip - but don't 'subscribe' to any charity -not enough 'spare cash' (which seems to mean, as Wendy has found out at least £10 a month!) . My 'spare cash' is what I find in my pockets (usually £1-05p - the bus fare I shoved in my pocket when I realised the bl**dy bus wasn't going to run - again, and I'd have to walk!)
Mind you, I'm a sucker for a 'bargain' at a fete or charity shop - my attic is evidence of this!! LOL

Theres so many charities and we cant give to them all.
I gave to the SSPCA...they sent raffle tkt's. Fair enough I sold them.
Then they started sending them a few times a year...so I stopped. I always put money in a their tin when I see one though.

I was approached by a cancer charity and when I said no I wouldn't give a regular amount I was told that very few people would be untouched by cancer and that I should think about how I would feel if one of my family was diagnosed I got very angry. I work for a large organisation that raises money for equipment in our local hospital and to give some financial assistance to patients. I would be furious if any of our fund-raisers - all volunteers - spoke to anyone like that. However we don't do it by phone or cold calling so there's the difference.

S x

I give money to a cancer charity because I'm happily still alive after 25 years of having cancer. I also have a bus pass, for which I'm very grateful, because I use it a lot. Maybe I should walk more, but I'm a lazy ***

What Len said is interesting - if a bit frightening!

We've long thought that people whose eyes were a "bit close together" were a bit suspect - maybe there's some truth in this. It makes you wonder about whether your "free will" is actually free?

On a lighter note, this was the Daily Mail - no doubt there'll be some connection to house prices.



Sue x

I've got a thin upper lip....oh,my lol.

I used to do dog walks for the SSPCA. I dont have a dog but I would borrow one. Over the years I collected a few hundred pounds.
A friend wasnt keen to give me any money for it as it was 'only animals' and she would have prefered it if I was doing it for cancer, kid's or old people

When I pointed out it might help an old person, a kid, a person with cancer or even help to make sure her steak or future beefburger had a happy life till the end......she gave me a fiver lol


Marion

Maggie, you and me both, I used to justify all the bits and bobs I bought as helping the charity shop or fete etc I haven't been able to afford it lately so steer clear of charity shops, mind you, the hours I keep now I am rarely out in time to catch the shops, as c. shops always close earlier than supermarkets lol

I used to get told about the 'eyes close together' thing as well, lol

Lizx