Etiquette and People Who Borrow

Don’t loan ‘Lillian the Leech’ your new face powder! – “Take for example the case of ‘Lillian the Leech.’ She is always borrowing your comb, lipstick, pencil, or bobby pins. She doesn't just ask you for them once in a while, but so often that you wonder if she even has any cosmetics.”

   

Sally’s Social Slants

No large problem launches itself before the etiquette editor this week, so a series of small ones will be taken up. It was suggested by an ironical co-ed to write a theme on “People Who Borrow Money!” I suggest we make it more general and pen a treatise on “people who borrow anything.”

It is, of course all right occasionally, but moderation in this, the same as in other things is always greatly appreciated by the prospective lender. Take for example the case of ‘Lillian the Leech.’ She is always borrowing your comb, lipstick, pencil, or bobby pins. She doesn't just ask you for them once in a while, but so often that you wonder if she even has any cosmetics. Sometimes she even forgets to return them, and you spend your spare time running her down and recovering your belongings.

Then there is ‘Paul the Parasite,’ who, too, is a habitual borrower. You find him in the classrooms, always without a book. He remedies this little difficulty by looking off of yours. He is never prepared for a test, and so of course he must borrow your binder paper, pen, and eraser. Of course this discourse should end by asking quizzically “are you a Lillian or Paul?” and enjoy your confusion. For we all borrow. the important thing to remember is not to borrow too often, and always return the borrowed article in perfect condition. As for money. Ahem! If you borrow this necessary medium of exchange, you should pay it back. 

It is embarrassing to follow someone for days, trail him finally to the Co-Op, and see him lounging in a booth, consuming your rightful money through a straw. Not that you would feel any better if you ran into him purchasing a copy of Homer, but it's the principle of the thing. If he returns it, then it is all right to borrow, but if the lender has to run him down, and finally extract half the original loan from his reluctant person, then it is all wrong!– From the Oak Leaf, 1940

🍽️Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura J. Graber, is the Site Editor for the Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia