To Lend, or Not to Lend?

[Cygnus]

So, I just got off the phone with one of the boys from my neighborhood and who attends my church. He is a good kid and was wondering if he could borrow my kilt for a school dance on Saturday.

I have to say that I'm a bit torn - on the one hand, it's a good opportunity to talk about and share kilt-wearing. On the other, I only have one kilt and it's an eight-yard, 16-oz. tank that represents a significant investment and would take some time (both in fund-raising and production/shipping) to replace.

So, what would you tell him if you were in my place?

[MacCathmhaoil]

Take him down to the local kilt rental shop, if there is one. If not, I think your hesitancy is your answer.

[WBHenry]

Well, this is both good and bad. It seems to me a good thing that you aparently have a solid enough rapport with the young man that he felt he could ask such a favor of you. Congratulations on that accomplishment, at least.

You say he is a good kid. As in respectable? Responsible? Mature? Polite? Trustworthy? Any advice we give you would only be a shot in the dark. After all, you know the young man, we don't. He's not asking you for a kidney, but at the same time, you are quite right in pointing out the financial (and sentimental) investment you have made with your kilt. Still, I can understand you not wanting to crush his budding interest in Highland garb.

Wish I could be more help. Do let us know what you finally decide.

[seanachie]

I would be reluctant, and my rationale would be similar to another situation.
I work with computers so whenever something goes wrong I tend to get a lot of calls from friends, neighbors, acquaintances etc. If it is something really easy or something I am positive I can resolve fairly easily I don't mind helping out. If it is a complex issue or something that could take a lot of extensive troubleshooting I will help in finding someone to assist them. I always explain my relationship to them is more important than a falling out over some issue and no one winds up with hurt feelings or being mad. My kilts were never bought on impulse and involved saving and skipping little "extras" from my disposable income. If someone borrowed a kilt and however innocently it was damaged I would be pretty upset. So, personally I'd politely decline and avoid the possibility.

[davidg]

It's a difficult one. I tend these days not to lend because of the potential for accidents which would cost me money and a falling out with whoever I lent something to

There are some good excuses, some of which have already been suggetsed, but one more is the hygiene issue. This is an item of personal clothing and you do not have the facilities for steam cleaning that the hire companies have. Would he have asked to borrow your unwashed trousers (pants) and thought that OK?

[CDNSushi]

Not to lend.

If you had another kilt, I'd say okay, but I think the rental shop is the best idea. And although it's probably too late by now even for Jerry's warp-drive time portal delivery service, he could have a good SWK in time for the next dance. It's not like schools have just ONE a year....

[Grizzly]

This is purely my opinion but having saved and scrimped and sold the OHs jewellery (not really) to purchase an 8yd 16oz tank i would be very reluctant to lend that out. My other half has 3 teenagers and whilst they are all good kids they have no respect for anything that isnt theirs. Also if its anything like school dances over here (UK) then some kids will somehow manage to smuggle some booze in and as we all know booze and teenagers are not a good combination.

I am not saying that your friend would not look after your kilt but others around him may not be so caring and accidents do happen. You could say that although you know and trust him you cannot say the same for others that will be in attendance and tactfully explain that your kilt is a very expensive commodity and not easily replaced should anything untoward happen.

You could always suggest that if he really wants to try out kilt wearing then he could borrow it to wear to church. That way you will know whether he really is interested in kilts or whether he just wants to outdo his mates in the satorial stakes.
regards

[CMcG]

To quote Shakespeare: "Neither a borrower nor a lender be, for a loan oft loses both itself and friend..."

If it were graduation and there were no local kilt rental companies and if Cygnus' kilt was something less precious than a tank, it might be a different story.

[Bidule]

Personally, I would lend my kilt only provided that the boy (and possibly his parents) gets involved to take all financial consequences of a possible accident... Moreover, if he is the nice chap whom you represent, why not to return him a service which will give him perhaps the virus of the kilt?

[Chas]

NO.

Regards

Chas