Helping friends work cows and getting paid...

[milkmaid]

Just an etiquitte question for y'all. I had an invite from a college friend of mine to come out and help work cows for the day, first time I've been invited to work cows with someone who isn't family or I don't already have a regular paid job working for. They knew I was pre-vet and liked cows but hadn't ever seen me work cows before. They were preg checking and I took care of vaccinating, records, and working the alley and chute - worked hard and worked well. Had my young pup along and he did decently - worked the alley and chute with me, bit plenty of calves, and didn't embarrass me too badly. :P Got unsolicited compliments from the vet, college friend and his dad that I was a good hand, which pretty well made my day.

Anyhow, I wasn't expecting to be paid, but as I was putting my pup back in the car at the end of the day and getting ready to head out, they came over with cash and gave me more than minimum wage. Nice surprise, kinda caught me off guard, I accepted. I'm a poor college student. lol. It's just that - in retrospect - is it considered appropriate to accept money? I don't know if that makes sense, LOL, but one of the other gals (has worked cows with them before) refused to accept the money, and I know I've seen other people in similar situations who refuse to let the person in charge pay them. My relatives don't pay the volunteer help, though they do have a reciprocal arrangement and the people who help work cows get to hunt deer/elk/antelope on their property in the fall.

I've never really been in the situation before. I do help my neighbor work cows, who I haven't worked for for a number of years, and I've turned down cash from him, but that's a little different. And I know many people with cows will trade help - you help me work my cows, I'll help you work your cows - and I'm not in that situation. Do you folks utilize volunteer help, do you pay your friends, do you expect them to accept pay...? What do you think?

 

[dun]

I don;t accept pay when I help work cows. But, for the folks that actually help us out I give them a gift certificate from their favorite local restaurant.
I mail it to them @ crismas because they wouldn;t accept it if I just handed it to them

 

[cowboy43]

Not knowing anyone involved, you being a college student it may be they wanted to help you with your college expenses and they got satisfaction for paying you.

 

[KNERSIE]

I never used to accept money, but unless its the next door neighbour, my time also has a fee on it otherwise I get phonecalls at all indecent times to come and look at Daisy's perceived problem.

In your situation I'd just say "Thank you, but it really wasn't neccesary" and accept the money anyway.

 

[Angus Cowman]

I pay everybody that helps me work cows (in one way or another)
I either pay cash or repay them by helping them out doing something they need done or I have one neighbor that I take a few bales of hay
and Jed if you come up next week NO you aren't getting paid :lol: :lol:

 

[jedstivers]

I pay everybody that helps me work cows (in one way or another)
I either pay cash or repay them by helping them out doing something they need done or I have one neighbor that I take a few bales of hay
and Jed if you come up next week NO you aren't getting paid :lol: :lol:

And I'll have to drive 270 miles for that. :lol:

 

[Angus Cowman]

I pay everybody that helps me work cows (in one way or another)
I either pay cash or repay them by helping them out doing something they need done or I have one neighbor that I take a few bales of hay
and Jed if you come up next week NO you aren't getting paid :lol: :lol:

And I'll have to drive 270 miles for that. :lol:

well atleast I ain't asking you to build fence :lol:

 

[Red Bull Breeder]

Milkmaid i agree with cowboy43.

 

[bigbull338]

heres the thing you was helping them work the herd without expecting or asking tobe paid.an at the end of the day you got paid.so that means you thank them an accept the money.

 

[backhoeboogie]

Friends are not allowed to pay me. I will eat dinner tho (some may call it lunch).

You did not know the owners themselves. It was a kind gesture and they know you are a college student. My guess is that they wanted you to accept this appreciation. It does not sound excessive. You earned it.

 

[Jogeephus]

I have found myself in this situation numerous times and the key here is that they came over with cash in hand and gave it to you. Like Bigbull said, just take the money and say thank you cause I assure you they would not have had it any other way. On the otherhand, had the walked up to you and asked you how much he owed you it would be something completely different. Their having cash in hand was an absolute. Asking would be fishing giving a sign that they weren't sure what to do. I used to always turn down money when I helped with stuff until I got in a similar situation and almost insulted the man by refusing his money. I've learned from this experience and when I mean to pay someone I palm the money and shove it in their hand when I say goodbye. And yes with college students I like I pay them well above average cause I want to help them just as they did me. They can refuse the money but they will have to throw it on the ground cause I want be taking it back. JMO

 

[Brute 23]

I agree with Jogee and Bigbull, you did the right thing.

 

[backhoeboogie]

Like Bigbull said, just take the money and say thank you cause I assure you they would not have had it any other way. On the otherhand, had the walked up to you and asked you how much he owed you it would be something completely different.

How many of us have had to work cows all by ourselves at times? There are times I had to skip some procedures just because there was not enough day light. Do that a few times, and you know how to appreciate help. Good help is all the more a plus.

 

[TexasBred]

Helpin someone out (especially with cattle) is more fun and enjoyment to me than anything...And I get some much needed exercise. absolutely no pay accepted other than all the summer sausage and cheese you can eat and cold beer to wash it down. Now if I were in college and they offered to pay me I'd certainly take it, thank them graciously and let them know I'd be available whenver they need me. The idea to pay you was their idea and their way of showing appreciation.

 

[Victoria]

I think you did right taking the money. Something that really irks me is when I try to do something nice for someone and they refuse to accept it. Especially if they are younger than me and I want to help them out. They know you could use the money, you appreciated it and they can feel good knowing they paid you. Win, win for everyone.

 

[Howdyjabo]

People I ask to come over for a big job or routine job - I will mention up front how much I will pay them to show up- if they decilne money I do something nice for them.
People that show up to help out with a problem- I will do something nice for them.
Kids get paid(not alot) whether they turn money down or not- they need some cash and it makes them feel grownup and appreciated.

If they came money in hand I would tell them how much its appreciated and spend it.

 

[kerley]

I have a young man that helps me and I always pay him. Kathy always feeds him good meals as he always looks hungry.

Last week I finally began to insulate and drywall the garage. The young man told me that he figgured that I had always over paid him, and he owed me the labor for free. I told him okay, but paid him anyway.

It's nice to have a young person offer an old foggie like me some much needed help, but I refuse to let anyone work without some kind of settlement.

Milkmaid, I think you are a fine young lady and the rancher was happy to reward you for your labor.

 

[dun]

I have a young man that helps me and I always pay him. Kathy always feeds him good meals as he always looks hungry.

Last week I finally began to insulate and drywall the garage. The young man told me that he figgured that I had always over paid him, and he owed me the labor for free. I told him okay, but paid him anyway.

It's nice to have a young person offer an old foggie like me some much needed help, but I refuse to let anyone work without some kind of settlement.

Milkmaid, I think you are a fine young lady and the rancher was happy to reward you for your labor.

I had a young man that worked for me that was like that. Problem is that I only have occasioanl work and now he's going to college 3 days a week and working full time for another cattle farmer.

 

[milkmaid]

Thanks for the input y'all. Sounds like I made the right choice then. They did invite me back and asked me what my schedule was, sounded like we get to work cows on horseback and I'm pretty excited about that one.

 

[ANAZAZI]

Sorry I react so late, but anyway: Not long ago I volonteered to help someone with his sheep. At the end of the day they wanted to pay me, and I declined as I had volonteeered and he did not ask me in the first place. He said that I should accept the money and buy fruit for my children. :o
Then I accepted the money, as he offered me a "way out", and I understood that he was adamant to give me something.
And my daughter looked funny at me when I told her that the apples, oranges and bananas came from my friends sheepshed! :banana: