---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: But why bother with guests at all? The…"
description: "\"“But why bother with guests at all? The virtual community is larger and less trouble than the relatives and friends upon whom self-fundraisers had been..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e9f/judith-martin-1927_asking-for-money_but-why-bother-with-guests-at-all-the-vi_520108.png"
---

#  But why bother with guests at all? The virtual community…

![“But why bother with guests at all? The virtual community is larger and less trouble than the relatives and friends upon whom self-fundraisers had been drawing. The pioneers in using the Internet to ask strangers for money patterned themselves on the causes of reputable charity—such as donating…” quote by Judith Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e9f/judith-martin-1927_asking-for-money_but-why-bother-with-guests-at-all-the-vi_520108.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e9f/judith-martin-1927_asking-for-money_but-why-bother-with-guests-at-all-the-vi_520108.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e9f/judith-martin-1927_asking-for-money_but-why-bother-with-guests-at-all-the-vi_520108.png)

> ““But why bother with guests at all? The virtual community is larger and less trouble than the relatives and friends upon whom self-fundraisers had been drawing. The pioneers in using the Internet to ask strangers for money patterned themselves on the causes of reputable charity—such as donating toward education or helping the ill—except for designating themselves the sole beneficiaries. A breakthrough was achieved when it was discovered that asking for money for luxuries also brought results. These practices are no less vulgar for having become commonplace. There is no polite way to tell people to give you money or objects, and no polite way to entertain people at their expense. Begging is the last resort of the desperate, not a social form requiring others to help people live beyond their means.””

[Judith Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-martin/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Critiques the ethics of soliciting money from strangers online, likening it to vulgar begging and questioning its social acceptability.

**In simple terms:** Online begging feels impolite and exploitative.

Key Takeaway

Consider the impact of asking for money publicly.

Themes

ethics online culture charity social norms

Mood

critical skeptical

Type

analytical commentary

When to use this quote

- personal fundraising
- charitable campaigns
- social media requests
- non‑profit appeals

Key Concepts

crowdfunding exploitation social exchange

Questions to Reflect On

- Is all online fundraising inherently unethical?
- How can transparency improve perception?

A Different Perspective

May overlook genuine need and community support.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Asking for money](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/asking-for-money/) [Friendship](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/friendship/) [Generosity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/generosity/) [Help people](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/help-people/) [Internet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/internet/) [Last resort](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/last-resort/) [Money](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/money/) [Relatives and friends](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/relatives-and-friends/)

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## More by Judith Martin

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> [The vast majority of my time is traveling and talking about the issues. It isn't really calling and asking for money.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rand-paul/the-vast-majority-of-my-time-is-traveling-and-talking-about-the/)

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