If you could see a stranger standing outside your front door, who doesn't even knock at the door but just stands there, you're not going to open the door, welcome them in, and give them tea and cookies, are you?
Okay, so you might open the door just a crack if there's also a security gate at your front door, or you may call through a slightly open window "What do you want?" or "Who are you looking for?"
But you're not going to welcome them into your home and give them tea and cookies.
Unless of course when they start speaking to you you realize that they're actually a friend you haven't seen in ages, or a relative you last saw when you were still climbing trees and scraping knees. Then of course you'd welcome them in and give them tea and cookies, or something stronger than tea or more decadent than cookies.
I don't believe in giving gifts to strangers who may appear on my premises - unless I realize that they're not strangers after all.
It is the same for me with SFI. A quick hello and non-overwhelming welcome letter suffices. This is followed by my "checking-up" on them, and possibly an incentive from me for them to become "more friendly" - and then only do they get their welcome gift - usually some reassignments. I like getting new affiliates, and it's said that one should give others what one would like to receive oneself. I'm not only giving them what I like to receive myself, but am also giving them the opportunity to experience what I just did - dealing with the new "strangers at my front door". How they handle the "strangers" will determine the strength of the "neighborhood".
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If you could see a stranger standing outside your front door, who doesn't even knock at the door but just stands there, you're not going to open the door, welcome them in, and give them tea and cookies, are you?
Okay, so you might open the door just a crack if there's also a security gate at your front door, or you may call through a slightly open window "What do you want?" or "Who are you looking for?"
But you're not going to welcome them into your home
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