Do you feel obligated to offer up a little something for a favor?

[mcolford]

So the last few days "Bill" has asked a few favors which have required me driving to town twice, and him taking my truck to another town (close to 80 miles driving)...

I have no problem offering up my time to help "Bill".. But the problem enlies my gas. My truck now sits empty (fortunately I dont to go anywhere with it any time soon), and he didnt as much as say anything in regards to the gas.

I know if I go down to his house, I will likely flip out on him (this isnt the first time hes done this kind of crap)...

If you are in my situation, what do you do?

 

[Booya]

How bad does he need the help/favor? Is he doing this because he needs to to or is taking advantage of a friend? Need more details.

 

[Que]

Go fill up your truck and keep you keys in your pocket. "Bill" was certainly not my father's son.

 

[redneckmedic]

Can you chalk it up to discipleship? Or do you need to be re-reimbursed for the fuel? I would not say anything if its the later. I would wait until he asks again, and just simply tell him that you can't help him out, that your truck is low on fuel from the last few trips and you can't afford to fill it right now or a variance to your exact situation to make it truthful... your point will be taken.

 

[shibumiseeker]

Depends on your relationship with him. If he's done plenty of stuff for you, let it go. Good friends don't keep close accounting.

If he's never done anything but ask favors then next time tell him that the last time you did him favors it emptied your gas tank and he didn't offer to fill it, so you'll have to decline.

 

[femurphy77]

A favor is one thing, multiple favors is being used.

I had a coworker once that told me if I ever needed somebody to work a weekend for me he would be happy to do it. We're fairly compensated for our time but honestly I prefer my weekends off. So the first time in the rotation it was my turn to cover a weekend I told the coworker it was his if he wanted it. He happily took it and on Friday afternoon he told me to remember him doing me this "favor" so that when he needed something I would "have" to return the favor.

I told him no thanks I'll work my weekend as I refuse to be "Obligated" to return a favor. I'm a fair person and will gladly help anybody do just about anything until I feel I'm being taken advantage of. In an instance when I am told I will "owe" somebody for a favor, forget it it's off. I've never kept score but I'm sure none of the people I've done favors for or asked favors of feel like they've come out on the losing end.

 

[iMac]

Favors with vehicles always result in a full gas tank to me....

 

[LEaSH]

Even if money isn't the issue, it's pretty disrespectful of Bill. If he can't bothered to splash a few gallons in the tank before he returns it to you, don't loan it to him again. Having a truck really puts us guys in tricky spots with our friends.

 

[mcolford]

I am one to believe that you return something in better condition when you borrowed it. I always return a vehicle with more gas than when I got it, and if I have time, I will wash it too.

My close friends, I dont keep "score" of favors, as I know when it comes down to it, they got my back at any time. They will roll out of bed at 3 am if I need them for any reason. Its just when it seems like any time this guy calls me he wants something, but its like I feel obligated to help out... SUCKS ASS!

 

[hornadylnl]

I am one to believe that you return something in better condition when you borrowed it. I always return a vehicle with more gas than when I got it, and if I have time, I will wash it too.

My close friends, I dont keep "score" of favors, as I know when it comes down to it, they got my back at any time. They will roll out of bed at 3 am if I need them for any reason. Its just when it seems like any time this guy calls me he wants something, but its like I feel obligated to help out... SUCKS ASS!

This Bill must be some of my relation.

 

[mcolford]

This Bill must be some of my relation.

How you doing cousin? LOL! (Hint)

(No Hornadylnl is not family)

 

[hornadylnl]

How you doing cousin? LOL! (Hint)

(No Hornadylnl is not family)

I do have family from the Logantucky area though.

 

[mcolford]

I do have family from the Logantucky area though.

I love it when out of towners know it as LoganTucky...

 

[Mrmonte]

Bill could be in a financial bind that you dont know about. If he really is a good friend and comes through when you need him, dont sweat the small stuff if. It happens once in a while. On the other hand, if you think Bill is dead weight, drop him. Not all friendships last forever. I can count the number of friends that I know I can depend on for anything anytime on one hand.

 

[mcolford]

Bill could be in a financial bind that you dont know about. If he really is a good friend and comes through when you need him, dont sweat the small stuff if. It happens once in a while. On the other hand, if you think Bill is dead weight, drop him. Not all friendships last forever. I can count the number of friends that I know I can depend on for anything anytime on one hand.

Dropping "Bill" isnt an option".. Hes family. I know "Bill's" financial situation as well, and springing a few bucks for gas aint an issue...

 

[Mrmonte]

Dropping "Bill" isnt an option".. Hes family. I know "Bill's" financial situation as well, and springing a few bucks for gas aint an issue...

Next time he needs your truck, run it out of gas first.

 

[mcolford]

Next time he needs your truck, run it out of gas first.

I truly wish letting my truck sit empty was an option, as I would do that. Im too OCD to let it sit empty though.

 

[printcraft]

Favors with vehicles always result in a full gas tank to me....

Dad let me borrow his vehicle when the transmission went out on my Tahoe and I was working on it.

I returned his vehicle with:
1) a full tank of gas.
2) Washed.
3) Interior swept and detailed.

It is called common courtesy.

 

[Reno316]

If you are in my situation, what do you do?

I guess it would depend on the details of "Bill's" situation.

If he was a long time friend and I knew he was on hard times (lost job, got hosed in a divorce, medical bills, etc.) and I could spare the coin, I wouldn't make mention of gas money. Ditto if he'd ever done me a large favor in the past... friend of mine back in Colorado gave me a decent whack of elk meat after he got his bull, and later needed my help with some back-and-forth driving to handle an issue. I didn't ask for a penny.)

If "Bill" has made this a habit, and abuses your friendship often, I would probably make mention of it: "Hey, Bill, listen, I'm happy to help when I can, but all these trips kinda emptied my gas tank. If you need my help again, I'm going to ask that you put some petro in the tank."

 

[ditto]

I think you're being taken advantage of.