Having done focus groups with participants, we know that some feel a sincere desire to contribute, or are flattered to be asked to help design a new product, or are curious about what questions they're going to be asked when they start a new survey, or find the process entertaining. Probably because we see so many awful, tediuous surveys, we've become far too cynical about the motives and characters of people who want to take part in research; we find it hard to believe that any reasonable, sincere person would do so. But the evidence is there in the millions of questionnaires that are reliably completed with no reward, and in focus group comments, that sincere, reasonable people do want to offer their opinions. We should moderate our jaded perspective when thinking about and communicating with participants.