Need some strategies for saying no to a neighbour who is always borrowing

@mayka123 (16583)
India
October 31, 2018 11:36am CST
I have a neighbor who is always at my doorstep to borrow something. Its quite annoying when I am in a hurry to go to work in the morning and she lands up to borrow something. Have tried telling her that I do not like the habit of both borrowing and lending but she does not seem to understand. How do I handle such people?
6 people like this
6 responses
Marlina
@marlina (154165)
• Canada
31 Oct 18
I guess you will have to use a firmer approach.
2 people like this
@mayka123
@mayka123 (16583)
• India
3 Nov 18
I am trying that now.
M.-L.
@MALUSE (69409)
• Germany
31 Oct 18
Does she borrow things and promise to bring them back? If so, you can tell her that she'll only get something the next time after she's brought back all the things she's recently borrowed. You can write a list of the things you remember and give it to her. It's possible, of course, that the borrowing is only an excuse and what she needs is contact and/or comfort.
2 people like this
@mayka123
@mayka123 (16583)
• India
3 Nov 18
She borrows in small quantities. Like just a few spoons of sugar sometimes. Or a little bit of something that I have cooked. Sometimes little cash. And I dont like asking back a few spoons of sugar. And as far as cash is concerned different members of the family come and ask each time. And I always tell them I dont keep cash at home.
DianneN
@DianneN (247219)
• United States
3 Nov 18
Neither a lender nor a borrower be. Perhaps you can tell her that.
1 person likes this
@mayka123
@mayka123 (16583)
• India
3 Nov 18
I have tried telling her that but she just does not seem to understand.
1 person likes this
@mayka123
@mayka123 (16583)
• India
25 Dec 18
@DianneN Yes it is a big problem. but luckily she has not come to my doorstep last few weeks. May be they have got the hint,
1 person likes this
DianneN
@DianneN (247219)
• United States
3 Nov 18
@mayka123 Sounds like you have a real problem on your hands. Sigh......
1 person likes this
Danna B.
@db20747 (43434)
• Washington, District Of Columbia
31 Oct 18
I know how U feel even though I am the borrower more often than not!! U can just tell her that U really don't have it to spare at this time!!!
1 person likes this
@mayka123
@mayka123 (16583)
• India
3 Nov 18
Its not only the borrowing but the timing that also upsets me. Very often when I am resting the afternoons on a holiday and when I am in a hurry to go to office in the mornings.
1 person likes this
@mayka123
@mayka123 (16583)
• India
4 Nov 18
@db20747 I have always turned down the requests for money even if it was for a small amount. Thought they will take the hint but guess they have not.
1 person likes this
Danna B.
@db20747 (43434)
• Washington, District Of Columbia
3 Nov 18
@mayka123 That's the "always at a convenient time neighbor!!!" My grandmother turned away my cousin this morning saying I'm busy and I don't have any money today!!! Maybe U could try something similar!!!!
1 person likes this
staplotick
@stapllotik (1933)
• India
25 Dec 18
Simple. If she ask for sugar, you ask something of higher value. Make it a habit of borrowing higher value stuff until she gets irritated like you.
1 person likes this
@mayka123
@mayka123 (16583)
• India
29 Dec 18
What do you ask from a person who is always saying that they dont have anything,
1 person likes this
@mayka123
@mayka123 (16583)
• India
6 Jan 19
@stapllotik I prefer just ignoring her!!!
staplotick
@stapllotik (1933)
• India
1 Jan 19
@mayka123 Find out what thing she has.
1 person likes this
Teaandcups
@sevenonine8 (125)
• Croatia (Hrvatska)
1 Nov 18
Don't open the doors
1 person likes this
@mayka123
@mayka123 (16583)
• India
3 Nov 18
Sometimes I have tried telling her that I want to rest and so make her return from the door itself But since I am on the ground floor she peeps in through the window and asks me for things she wants.