You have to have a certain number of post or a certain amount of karma before your giving registers on the person you gave it to. I forget which one controls it. That is why when you look at the UserCP it shows gray instead of green. So basically brand new people can give you a message saying you are appreciated but it doesn't register as karma points. Also the amount you give goes up as well. I think it is post count but I am not sure on that one. Basically someone brand new isn't going to affect your karma either way.
I'll give you a shot though. I give lots of karma.
