Rant about SP "Donations"

[shack]

What's with the use lately of referring to how much it costs to see a lady as a "donation"?

I didn't bother looking it up in my Funk and Wagnall's, but to me the definition of a donation is a "voluntary" contribution to a "worthwhile cause" which most times would be, but is not restricted to, a charity or institution (hospital, university) or movement (Greenpeace, Ernst Zundel's defence fund) of some sort. It does not, nor ever has been used to refer to what a professional, who is in the business of turning a profit for themselves, charges for their services. I believe the terms for that includes fee, charge, rate etc. Do you give donations to your lawyer?

If the ladies to which the term donation is being used are providing their services for free and you voluntarily give them money, then I rescind my comments above. If not, call a spade a spade and don't make it seem that paying an SP is a magnanimous gesture.

 

[Berlin]

Do you give donations to your lawyer?

No, usually they suck right off my neck.

 

[Goober Mcfly]

And the lawyers are usually the ones screwing you.....

 

[hot rod]

actually, the "safety factor" in the use of the term donation is one of those urban myths that has somehow made the rounds and is believed by a good many people both in this industry and others. It has been tried and failed in the court system on several occasions. The courts simply took the view that if it was indeed a "donation" it would in fact be optional, and as it was a required payment it was in fact a "fee" regardless of the terminology used to describe it.