Dear all.

Firtlsy, to let you all know, I am in boarding school.

I recently went into one of my friends work places and was about to borrow a walkman and leave a note saying I had borrowed it. My headmaster came into the work room and asked me what I was doing, and I told him. He didnt like it at all and spoke to me the next day and said that he had already told us on a number of ocacsions that we shouldn't borrow things from people who are bellow us in years and age. This boy was about 14 years...I am 16...the mentality is is that younger years find it harder to say no to someone who is younger than you.

Dom

-- Dominic (domngel@hotmail.com), May 04, 2002

Answers

Taking anything without permission would be considor bad tour, simpley because you don't know what plans your friends have for it, I would ask, no matter what age.

-- Tony (awalker@teknett.com), May 04, 2002.

There may be hope for you yet, Tony.

-- (@@@.@), May 04, 2002.

Borrowing anything without the permission from the owner is wrong.

-- Melissa (holy_rhodes@earthlink.net), May 04, 2002.

Dominic,

I think too it depends on what you mean by "friend". If it's a casual acquaintance, it's wrong for the above reason. If OTOH this is someone you've known for many years and borrow *each other's* things in this fashion, I'd say it was part of a "relationship", (you might find the word offensive, but I can't think of a better one).

For example, I wouldn't do that with a coworker, but wouldn't mind grabbing my wife's something or other if she wasn't around to ask & I didn't think she'd need it. I would leave a note though, nothing is as irritating as looking for something that's been used and "put away" by someone else (or in the case of my wife, just plain "put away" for putting away's sake.

Frank

-- Someone (ChimingIn@twocents.cam), May 04, 2002.

Frank, I concur. In some friendships there can exist a certain understanding, and open nature with regard to borrowing things. I'm sure many of my chums would have no issue with me borrowing something without asking, as they trust me and my intentions. However, I would never borrow anything without asking in advance. I think it is a matter of respect. Not that any of my friends would imagine me as dishonest, but I would hate to imagine them seeking the article that I borrowed, and wondering if it was nicked from them. Further to asking for permission, I also offer a return time, so that I am not abusing the priviledge of their generosity.

-- Melissa (holy_rhodes@earthlink.net), May 04, 2002.

This is where the Golden Rule comes in handy. Think first, would I want someone to do this to me? It isn't perfect, since we have different tolerance levels, but it's a good rule of thumb.

-- Bonnie (stichart@plix.com), May 05, 2002.