To Lend, or Not to Lend?

[Cygnus]

Thanks to all who posted (and for making me not feel like a selfish jerk for my reluctance to lend)!

After mulling it over and considering your posts, here is what I have been thinking:

1. My kilt almost certainly will be a bit big (2"+ in the waist).
2. Others may do stupid things over which the borrower has no control.
3. I have other things to offer that would allow him to wear a kilt for much less than renting the whole ensemble.

So, I've asked him to come over after work today where I'll have $20 and a business card for the local kilt rental shop waiting for him. I'll offer all of the accessories he needs from my closet but will ask that he rent just the kilt for the dance.

If something gets spilled on my jacket, that's not such a big deal as I can have it cleaned (or replaced) more easily than a kilt, I have quite a few pairs of hose and flashes, etc.

In the end, I think this is the best way to go - I can encourage him to go kilted (and to do so with style) without worrying about the most significant part of my Highland wardrobe.

[Ryan Ross]

Thanks to all who posted (and for making me not feel like a selfish jerk for my reluctance to lend)!

After mulling it over and considering your posts, here is what I have been thinking:

1. My kilt almost certainly will be a bit big (2"+ in the waist).
2. Others may do stupid things over which the borrower has no control.
3. I have other things to offer that would allow him to wear a kilt for much less than renting the whole ensemble.

So, I've asked him to come over after work today where I'll have $20 and a business card for the local kilt rental shop waiting for him. I'll offer all of the accessories he needs from my closet but will ask that he rent just the kilt for the dance.

If something gets spilled on my jacket, that's not such a big deal as I can have it cleaned (or replaced) more easily than a kilt, I have quite a few pairs of hose and flashes, etc.

In the end, I think this is the best way to go - I can encourage him to go kilted (and to do so with style) without worrying about the most significant part of my Highland wardrobe.

You're a good man, sir.

[Really a McQueen]

...
After mulling it over and considering your posts, here is what I have been thinking:

1. My kilt almost certainly will be a bit big (2"+ in the waist).

...

So, I've asked him to come over after work today where I'll have $20 and a business card for the local kilt rental shop waiting for him. I'll offer all of the accessories he needs from my closet but will ask that he rent just the kilt for the dance.
...
In the end, I think this is the best way to go - I can encourage him to go kilted (and to do so with style) without worrying about the most significant part of my Highland wardrobe.

Good on you. I've add my emphasis on the part I considered most important. Did the young man even know, prior to approaching you, that there was any place locally where he could hire a kilt? My bet is that the answer is 'likely not', and that you were the only kilt source he was familiar with.

Perhaps, once he has completed his first kilted outing, you can sit down with him for a proper chat, and help him get started on his own kilt collection.

[Meggers]

Thanks to all who posted (and for making me not feel like a selfish jerk for my reluctance to lend)!

After mulling it over and considering your posts, here is what I have been thinking:

1. My kilt almost certainly will be a bit big (2"+ in the waist).
2. Others may do stupid things over which the borrower has no control.
3. I have other things to offer that would allow him to wear a kilt for much less than renting the whole ensemble.

So, I've asked him to come over after work today where I'll have $20 and a business card for the local kilt rental shop waiting for him. I'll offer all of the accessories he needs from my closet but will ask that he rent just the kilt for the dance.

If something gets spilled on my jacket, that's not such a big deal as I can have it cleaned (or replaced) more easily than a kilt, I have quite a few pairs of hose and flashes, etc.

In the end, I think this is the best way to go - I can encourage him to go kilted (and to do so with style) without worrying about the most significant part of my Highland wardrobe.

I think thats very fair

I say you chose well. I would never lend my made-to-measure wool kilt, though I would consider lending the acrylic one I bought off Ebay.

I would also like to thank you for using the correct word, lend, instead of "loan." Too many people don't know the difference and it is a pet peeve of mine.

"Do you think you could borrow me that kilt?" <---- pure evil phrase.

[English Bloke]

I keep a PV kilt (machine washable) for lending. I would never lend a wool kilt. Your gesture is a decent compromise and most commendable Sir. Nice one!