The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

PROVERB

SHARP ENDS MAKE BAD FRIENDS.

Submitter comment: THIS PROVERB HAS A DOUBLE-MEANING: FIRST, YOU COULD HURT YOURSELF
ON A SHARP OBJECT, SO A SHARP OBJECT IS A BAD FRIEND. IF YOU GIVE
A PERSON A PIN OR A GIFT WHICH IS A SHARP OBJECT, YOUR FRIENDSHIP
WILL DETERIORATE. IN ORDER TO OVERCOME THIS DILEMMA, THE RECEIVER
OF THE GIFT MUST PAY THE GIVER A PENNY. BY PAYING A PENNY, THE
RECEIVER BUYS THE GIFT AND COUNTERACTS MAKING A BAD FRIEND.
THE INFORMANT DOES NOT RECALL HEARING THAT THE GIVER MUST
GIVE A PENNY WITH THE SHARP GIFT.

Where learned: DETROIT

Date learned: CA00001890S ; 01-13-1980