What are the "unwritten" rules?

[trainspotter]

You know when you borrow something from someone eg a lawnmower from a mate and whilst you are using it the damn thing breaks down. Who is responsible? Does morals have anything to do with it?

Personally I always thought that if you borrowed something, you returned it in better condition than before you borrowed it. If it breaks down you fix it. You use it, you break it, you fix it ... kind of thing.

Admittedly if the item you borrowed was old and in a state of disrepair (why would you borrow it in the first place?) and something goes wrong this is completely different. But let's say it was in perfect working order and you continued to use it knowing full well that something is not right (large banging noises from the piston self destructing for example) is it a case of MEA CULPA or do I not live in the real world?

Anyone lost a friendship because of such an instance? How does one go about approaching the "friend" for restitution or do you just shrug your shoulders and blame yourself for loaning it to him in the first place?

 

[Timmy]

Re: What are the "unwritten" rules ?

Re: What are the "unwritten" rules ?

No. 1 is "If you write it down it isn't unwritten anymore".

Unless you unwrite it.
Then its unwritten again.

 

[prawn_86]

Re: What are the "unwritten" rules ?

I think general politness should dictate.

For instance one time i borrowed a spit roast machine for a party. The pump/rotator broke down while we were using it (no fault of our own, just wear and tear). I offered to pay for a new one, but my friend simply said he knew it was old and was bound to happen at some point.

 

[Sdajii]

Re: What are the "unwritten" rules ?

Depends. If you borrowed the car to drive down to the shops for a bottle of milk and that just happened to be the time the radiator cracked or the head gasket blew, it'd be a little unfair to expect the borrower to pay (assuming they were driving appropriately).

If you were borrowing a car for a week and a brake light blew, you'd be a bastard not to replace it. Somewhere in between you have a grey area, and they're never much fun!

 

[trainspotter]

Re: What are the "unwritten" rules ?

Re: What are the "unwritten" rules ?

No. 1 is "If you write it down it isn't unwritten anymore".

Unless you unwrite it.
Then its unwritten again.

I am going to get a great big sign made up for my shed that looks like this one.

 

[Sdajii]

Re: What are the "unwritten" rules ?

I know a few people who would quickly borrow a tool and make sure you NEVER got it back

 

[noie]

Re: What are the "unwritten" rules ?

This goes hand in hand with upbringing and moral standpoints.

In my house communication saves you from 99.9% of all scenarios

When borrowing something new..
Me: "you used this yet"
Bro: "nope"
Me: "you got the receipt "
Bro "nope"
Me "nevermind "

and another time
Me: "Man have you ever serviced this bike"
Bro: "Nope, not used it in 9 months either "
Me: "if it breaks down you want me to arrange to get it fixed"
Bro: "nope just bring it back"
Me: "your paying for towing"
Bro: "Sure, fill it up for me"
Me: "Ok"

re the wife.. you would also move 1/2 way round the world to get away from her

 

[Wysiwyg]

Re: What are the "unwritten" rules ?

I know a few people who would quickly borrow a tool and make sure you NEVER got it back

You know that Bad Luck happens to those types. Well that is the 'unwritten' law anyway.

 

[Smurf1976]

Re: What are the "unwritten" rules ?

I long ago decided never to borrow anything of significant value that is easily damaged, especially cars. Just not worth the hassle if (when) something goes wrong.

 

[Tink]

Re: What are the "unwritten" rules ?

Yep, I agree Trainspotter, if you borrow something it should be brought back the way it was.

I would let them know that I wasnt happy, but they only get one chance, then no more borrowing.

Go pay and hire the thing.

I agree that it comes with upbringing and morals.

 

[nulla nulla]

Re: What are the "unwritten" rules ?

isn't there an old scottish saying "neither a borrower or lender be.." something to do with it being the easiest way to loosing friends?

 

[trainspotter]

Re: What are the "unwritten" rules ?

Well thanks guys and gals for the input. To explain the situation I loaned a jet ski to an associate of mine who promptly blew it up. No problem so far. Berak terjadi. I asked what happened and he said it went clunkety clunk clunk and he stopped riding it. Well after pulling the motor apart and finding one of the pistons has melted and there is so much damage that the barrel is beyond repair it would seem that it did a bit more than go clunk. It was flogged to death and died a horrible, noisy and beyond repair kind of slow death.

"Not my fault" was the reply and "I am not paying for it" was the other. So from here on in I have taken a new attitude towards loaning my "stuff". THE ANSWER IS NO !

 

[nunthewiser]

Re: What are the "unwritten" rules ?

Can i borrow ya boat on saturday m8?

 

[trainspotter]

Re: What are the "unwritten" rules ?

Can i borrow ya boat on saturday m8?

LOLOL Nun .... for you ... anything matey ..... which one you want to borrow? You will just need to sign a statutory declaration with an admission of guilt clause, an insurance release form, an affidavit to the effect that any culpability is to be borne by yourself and your childrens children forever and ever amen. Oh yeah ...... I need your Missus as well as per the signs that now hang in my shed. AND a caveat on all of your properties. Not much really.

 

[wayneL]

Re: What are the "unwritten" rules ?

I am going to get a great big sign made up for my shed that looks like this one.

That might be a very bad deal in some cases...


...and a very good deal in others. :

 

[nunthewiser]

Re: What are the "unwritten" rules ?

LOLOL Nun .... for you ... anything matey ..... which one you want to borrow? You will just need to sign a statutory declaration with an admission of guilt clause, an insurance release form, an affidavit to the effect that any culpability is to be borne by yourself and your childrens children forever and ever amen. Oh yeah ...... I need your Missus as well as per the signs that now hang in my shed. . Not much really.

RIPPER!

I been trying to offload the buggers for years ...... cya saturday

 

[Timmy]

Re: What are the "unwritten" rules ?

Did you return your jetski mate's wife pist'n broke?

 

[nunthewiser]

Re: What are the "unwritten" rules ?

Did you return your jetski mate's wife pist'n broke?

Nominates this post for humerous post of the decade

I would ask to borrow it but i already gave my missus to Trainspotter

 

[trainspotter]

Re: What are the "unwritten" rules ?

Did you return your jetski mate's wife pist'n broke?

If I could borrow her then she would be returned in a much better condition then when I originally borrowed her ..... I can assure you. Me on the other hand got pist n' broke down and cried after I saw the damage caused.

Trying to source parts from QLD for repairs. Estimate on rebuild for whole engine $2800.00 by dealership OR second hand barrel, piston ring kit, new head and gasket set PLUS my labour to do it myself .... about $800.00. Gonna be a real cheap jet ski on the market very soon. Associate would not want to fall asleep whilst drunk around me anytime soon. Could be bits missing when he wakes up.

 

[DocK]

Times like this that a belief in karma could help, although I'd be giving it a hand by telling all mutual associates/acquaintances what a #### this guy has been.