* if your child is playing with a toy, and other toys are available, would you encourage your child to let the other kid play with the toy? or should the other child leave yours alone, and find something else themself? does it depend on whose house you are at?

I encourage her to share.

* if your colleague forgets their lunch, would you offer to share yours? or offer to loan them some money?

both - not everyone likes what I eat

* if a friend is in financial difficulty, so you offer help? what kind of help?

To be honest, it depends on how good a friend it is. My closest friends I'll offer $, goods, groceries - whatever I can. Not so close friends, I would show up with cooked meals or a box of groceries.

* what about family?

In the past I have with my sister but it got to a point where she pretty much expected us to pay everything for her - even when she had money. She became careless with her money because she felt we'd always step in. Now I'd help everyone in my family EXCEPT my siblings.

* how well would you need to know someone on bellybelly for you to be willing to offer assistance?

n the past I have offered assistance to members I'd never spoken with previously. I think it would depend on the kind of assistance they needed and what I was personally able to offer.

* do you give to people begging? buy the big issue? donate to charities?

Yes, Yes, and Yes

* if you see a complete stranger in trouble (falling over on the street, fainting on the train, throwing up at the shops, whatever) do you help? do you call for help but not intervene personally?

Always help if I feel it is safe to do so. The first step of DRABC is Danger - if the danger to me is too great, I will assist in whatever way is safest. You never know when it will be you or someone you love that needs that help.

* do you share/help out when you know it's not likely to be reciprocated (whether a repeat offender friend/relative, or someone you know isn't in a position to help out in return)?

Yes.

* how personal does your sharing get? do/would you donate blood? plasma? bone marrow? a kidney? breastmilk? eggs? would you be a surrogate for someone? with these things, would you do it for an immediate family member? friend? acquaintence? stranger?

I'd donate blood if I knew I was getting a good technician - I have shocking veins! Bone marrow - for a loved one in a heart beat. Kidney - I was ear marked to donate a kidney to my sister when I was 16 but she miraculously didn't need it any longer. I'd give an organ to a love one whilst living or to anyone when I'm dead...except my eyes. Breastmilk - first I'd have to be able to produce some! And only if my child had enough first. Eggs - no. Surrogate no. Pregnancy with my back is going to be brutal and it's taken me a long time to pluck up the courage to try for us to extend our family. No way will I risk my back for someone else. Selfish of me? Yes.

* do you give away goods that you would be happy to keep, because you think someone else needs/would appreciate them more?

Yup

* what do you expect of others? do those expectations change based on anything (wealth, time available, upbringing, etc?)

I've learnt not to expect anything from anyone.

* how do you decide when to offer advice etc, and when to keep your thoughts to yourself?

offer if asked. Usually.

* when you share in different ways, do you do it because you feel you should, or because you enjoy it, or because you think we all should, or other reasons?

All of the above. It depends on the circumstances/situation.

* do you find sharing and generosity hard to talk about in general?

Nope. Unless someone has done something for me and then I get very embarrased. I'm good at giving but not at taking.

* what do you think the main influences on your views about all this to be? upbringing? spiritual beliefs and value system? your partner's views? what you want for your children?

Upbringing for sure. Also what I want for my DD. I'm also very community minded. I believe that we tend to take a lot from our communities but few ever put back into it. I like to put back. After all, if I keep taking money out of my bank account without replacing it - I'll be bankrupt pretty quickly! Although my influences are also selfish - I enjoy giving and sharing. It makes me feel lighter and better about myself - not in an "I'm better than you" way but a "Look, I managed to bring a smile to their face" or "I've managed to ease their burden just a little".