Thread by @akinalabi

You meet your old friend after over 15 years. He looks good and it’s certain he has “made it”. You banter and exchange numbers. You call him later that day and the first thing you do is ask for money.

Sorry pal. You have just lost a friend.

#thread

Do you want to keep friends in high places? Then don’t be a financial burden on them. Rich people also have problems. Don’t add your own. If you feel he’s not a good friend because he’s not giving you money, then you are not a good friend either.

You need to differentiate yourself from everyone asking him for money. When he sees your call, what does he think? Oh he’s going to ask for money again. You should call and he’s happy to pick. He will call you more than he calls others. Favours will naturally come on the way.

When I talk about favours, it’s not just about direct giving of money. It could be a recommendation. To introduce you to great contacts, he will want to be sure you won’t go there to constitute a nuisance and disgrace him. He will want to trust you.

When @BayoAdelabu was still the deputy governor of Central Bank, some people that knew I was close to him bombarded me with requests to meet him. I didn’t trust some of them and I don’t know some well enough (they are probably good people). I won’t open my contacts to you anyhow.

Another point people do not understand is that rich people want to be given things. They might not need it but they will appreciate being thought about. Imagine your driver or gateman buying you airtime? How would you feel? Great!

Now put yourself on the other side. You meet someone financially better than you. Stop thinking of what you will get from them. Think of what you can do for them, no matter how little. Differentiate yourself from the crowd. Be a giver, even to those better off financially.

An old friend (who is not too solid financially) gave me N20,000 as a contribution to my campaign. I took it and put in my pocket. The next minute, the driver came to ask for money to fuel my car. When I brought out that money, my heart was filled with joy. He touched me.

A financially better off friend doesn’t automatically mean he is your personal ATM.

Behave.

End.