friend is trying to convince me this is a common experience and I do not believe her, so
Do you expect to be paid back if you pay for something for your friend while you’re hanging out? (I.E. a ride, a meal, a trinket.)
Yes, always
Yes, but only if it’s above a limit of money
No, never
I don’t buy things for my friends.
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For a more illustrative example, say you go to the movies with a friend and you buy them popcorn, do you expect them at some point to send you money back via cash or through an app of some kind? Will you be upset if they don’t?
Grandpa told me "if you let a guy borrow $20 and never see him again, it was worth it." It took me a long time to understand that wisdom. If they're really hounding you for the cash, just give it to them and learn something about your friend.
I've spent far more than $20 on my good friends and them on me, it's not a tit-for-tat thing. It's "that's my guy, and I can be his brother for a moment," and all we're hoping for is that they have a chance to return the favor someday. There will come a day you slap your buddy on the shoulder for the last time and there is no amount of money to repay that.
