everybody uploading-i don't dwnld?!feel cheated

[solaris]

using mac osx:
before everything else i have read previous threads and adjusted my computer to their suggestions for maximum upload/download possibilities.....but still.....
i'm sharing quite a sustantial amount of files with quite a few hundred if not thousand already uploaded by others, so why is it that leaving my computer on for 24hrs past the 4 days i have not been successful with a download(movie files) and that the file i keep trying to download has been successfully downloaded by others about 600 times?!!i keep recieving awaiting sources and speed going at 1/2KBs/s? and one file has only just reached 76% after 4 days?am i a complete dimwit?please correct me as i feel cheated by others taking my files and having none on return....
much thanks