Being asked for help is an honor.
The asker is consciously putting herself in the askee’s debt.
In order to have this honor repeated
(thus building a power base),
there are some simple rules to follow.
Always take the request seriously.
It takes a lot of guts to ask.
Even if you can’t help,
be polite and timely about it.
Give the best help you can
(or refuse the request).
Try to exceed expectations.
If you’re asked for information on firearms,
give not only the information
but additional online sources.
And
Keep the request for help quiet.
Don’t broadcast to the world
that the asker needed help.
If you need to get additional assistance
from another source
and have to mention the asker’s name,
ask her permission first.