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Just wondering,
how do you feel about co-workers asking to borrow your umbrella?
I used to sit by the front door and several people that I rarely talked to stopped by my office and asked me if I had an umbrella they could borrow.
I moved somewhere else, and still a few people have asked me if I have an umbrella they can borrow.
what do you guys think about it?
Just to clarify, the reason I don't like people borrowing my umbrella is because I have a nice umbrella that folds down to about 6-8" and I would hate for somebody to borrow it and break it (usually caused by wind).
The other reason is .... why don't you buy an umbrella just like I did?
I agree. How silly....I would never ask an acquaintance for something like this.
Plus, how are you supposed to leave if they have your umbrella.
You must be the office caretaker....or others percieve you this way. I'm guessing that you did loan your umbrella out.
Last edited by JanND; 05-21-2015 at 04:25 PM..
Reason: spelling
It isn't about an umbrella, it is about the interpretation of a part of our societal contract.
Does the OP loan in good faith, knowing full well that the umbrella will never come back? Or is he selfish?
I think this is a very important conversation.
LOl....I would look at this in the opposing way....It is about people being responsible or irresponsible by having their own umbrella. There's always those looking for others to take care of them.
well not co workers but my sister in law borrowed mine and when I asked her where it was , Oh that got broken in the wind , never a word about paying me back and or buying me one . Glad to be rid of that family . My brother and her got a divorce thank God .Yes I like the idea of buying the dollar store ones and sell them to co workers at twice the price you paid excellent idea .
Just wondering,
how do you feel about co-workers asking to borrow your umbrella?
I used to sit by the front door and several people that I rarely talked to stopped by my office and asked me if I had an umbrella they could borrow.
I moved somewhere else, and still a few people have asked me if I have an umbrella they can borrow.
what do you guys think about it?
Just to clarify, the reason I don't like people borrowing my umbrella is because I have a nice umbrella that folds down to about 6-8" and I would hate for somebody to borrow it and break it (usually caused by wind).
The other reason is .... why don't you buy an umbrella just like I did?
It sounds like you're sick of the rain here too, Dopo. If you're still in Houston, that is. What's it been, two weeks straight? At least How does your yard look? OMG, my fiancee finally screwed up the courage to get out the riding mower and almost drowned today. I'm glad she did because there's no end in sight lol. As for your question, no wonder they're asking to borrow your umbrella. But I'm suprised they haven't bought their own by now. Just tell them you can't loan it out, sorry.
You've become the umbrella guy in the office. You loaned it out to one person and then that person told another person and another and another that you have one you are willing to let other people borrow. It saves lazy people the energy of having to ask other people or buying one themselves.
Here's an idea. Find an old broken umbrella in the trash and the next time someone wants to borrow yours, hand them the broken one. That should put a stop to it.
It sounds like you're sick of the rain here too, Dopo. If you're still in Houston, that is. What's it been, two weeks straight?
I don't know, but anybody in Houston that doesn't have an umbrella by now is an idiot.
It's been raining for at at least 2 weeks everyday.
And yes, I'm the kind of person that drops everything I'm doing to help people
I hate to be rude and tell people "I'm busy, come back later" unlike other people that have no problem saying that.
I was on my way to a meeting and as I was getting ready to close my umbrella, I got stopped by a friend and we stood there talking for a few minutes. An attorney I knew from seeing around the courthouse came over to us. He acted like he was being helpful and grabbed my umbrella and shook the excess water off in a trash can and when I looked up, he kept walking right out the revolving door with it. I started shouting "Hey, where are you going with my umbrella?" He said, "I'll leave it at your office!" Well, of course, he didn't. I know its silly, but because of that incident, I've never loaned my umbrella to anyone because I feel like they won't return it. Its not my job to keep them dry - they can get their own the same as I did.
I don't know, but anybody in Houston that doesn't have an umbrella by now is an idiot.
It's been raining for at at least 2 weeks everyday.
And yes, I'm the kind of person that drops everything I'm doing to help people
I hate to be rude and tell people "I'm busy, come back later" unlike other people that have no problem saying that.
I used to be like that. I learned that you need to write down some come-backs to use. It's really stressful at first. But, you'll be surprised that people accept "no," for the most part. They're too self-centered to get into the "why" of it, they'll be out your door looking for someone else's umbrella lickety-split.
They may make you repeat yourself out of initial shock. So, then you use the broken record technique. But, odds are that they won't spend more than 30 seconds with you. As soon as they register that your answer is "no," they won't be listening anymore. They'll be thinking about who else they can ask.
So, I suggest you figure out a mantra. And stick to it. Don't give them an opening they think they can weasel into - like don't start giving reasons why you won't do things, that they can argue with.
I learned (lots of books and therapy LOL) that people will respect a statement that sounds like a rule.
"Sorry, I don't lend my things out anymore."
If they ask, "Why?"
"Sorry, I just don't lend my things out anymore."
Only some really persistent type will go any further.
"I promise I'll bring it right back."
"Sorry, I just don't lend my things out anymore."
If you get someone super persistent...
"But, I'm going to get all wet and I have a big meeting this afternoon!!!"
"Sorry, I just don't lend my things out anymore."
They'll give up and leave. They might try it one or two more times, so you must always answer the same way for them to give up.
You can do it :-)
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How does your yard look? OMG, my fiancee finally screwed up the courage to get out the riding mower and almost drowned today. I'm glad she did because there's no end in sight lol. As for your question, no wonder they're asking to borrow your umbrella. But I'm suprised they haven't bought their own by now. Just tell them you can't loan it out, sorry.
