Dear Queenie,
I like to do arts and crafts and I’m pretty good at it. Recently my sister asked me to make something for a birthday gift for a friend of hers and I did. She paid me for the cost of the things to make it, but nothing for my time and effort.
Queenie, do you think this is fair?—Feeling cheated
Dear Feeling cheated,
It depends. Does your sister do favours for you and if so, do you pay her for her time and trouble? And did you explain to her in advance just what time and effort would be involved in making the gift for her? If the answer to either of these questions is “no” I do not think you have been treated unfairly.
And if such an occasion arises again, it would be a good idea to explain clearly in advance just what compensation you expect.
