LENDING MONEY

Most people don’t borrow money. They manage with what they have. But there are some who have no hesitation to borrow. Sometimes people go through unexpected situations which require them to borrow money. My experiences have been with people who I feel, did not really require the money so urgently. While most of them return the money, some try to delay or even avoid returning it. If you have to remind them about it several times, it could spoil a friendship. I don’t remember having any good experience.  

One person borrowed a small amount of money and did not return it for a long time. When I asked him about it, he said ‘I returned it, don’t you remember.’

There was another person who would borrow in private and return in public. If he needs money he would call you to a place where there was no one around and tell you about his difficulties. If you lend him the money he would return it in front of many people and those watching would think that you are taking money from him. It looked like he was building his reputation as a person who gives money.

One night while I was fast asleep there was a knock on the door. I woke up, it was past midnight. A colleague was at the door. He needed some money urgently. I gave it to him. He told me he would return it by the end of the month. Even after the end of the month he was sitting next to me and talking about everything under the sun except the money he owes me. I decided to ask him about it. He said, ‘I came to your house last night to return the money but the lights were off. I thought you were sleeping and did not want to disturb you.’ He returned it a few days later.

Another person told me that if I lend him 5,000 dollars he would give me a monthly interest of 500 dollars and that my 5,000 dollars would be safe with him. I only needed to give him a call and he would return the 5,000 dollars whenever I required it. It sounded too good to be true. I didn’t fall for that one. I am sure if I did, he may give me the interest for one or two months and then claim that his business has suffered a setback and he can give me the interest or the amount only after his business improves.

Then there are some people who have a good income but regularly borrow money. It seems like a habit they develop. I can see only two reasons for such behaviour. Either their expenditure is more than their income or they think they are smart by using other people’s money which can be returned later on without interest while their money is earning interest somewhere.

Neither a borrower nor a lender be – William Shakespeare