Borrowing money once off your friend is usually fine. After all, we all go through a sticky situation. But if it becomes your habit, your friend may sense that you’re already taking advantage of him, and worst, your friendship may start to slip away.
An overseas Filipino worker (OFW) recently shared the same problem that he encountered. His friend in the Philippines had kept asking for financial help. He noticed that every time this friend sends a message, it is about asking, not even borrowing, money from him.
The OFW named Mharlon Prieto Rioveros said that his friend has been persistently pushing his luck to ask for financial help for months. The OFW started to be annoyed when his friend even asked for cellphone load.
“Hindi namin pinupulot yung pera sa ibang bansa. Natulungan na kita isang beses kaya okay na ‘yun. Abusado ka na masyado. Nag-asawa ka kaagad tapos hindi mo magampanan ang pagiging ama mo. Maghanap ng trabaho hindi yung aasa ka sa panghihingi, ” Riovero’s Facebook update read.
In his anger, the OFW uploaded the series of conversation between him and his friend to provide context on his rant online. At first, his friend sent him a message asking if he’s okay.
The next time, this friend messaged him again asking for money so he could buy food.
And on his third attempt, house rental was his alibi.
Out of guilt and concern, the OFW eventually agreed to sending his friend some cash. First, he asked him how much he needed, to which his friend said, “Naks, ikaw bahala pre. Ikaw ang magbibigay, e.” But this friend added that he wanted to buy chocolate for his children, and bring his wife and youngest kid to the hospital for a checkup.
The friend also asked the OFW to add extra for the remittance fee.
Just last month, February, this friend messaged Riovero again. This time, he was asking for a spare phone.
Then he messaged again just this month, asking to send remittance early so that they could buy food for breakfast and lunch the next day.
Despite wanting to help his friend, Riovero realized that his friend wanted him to be his financial backbone, which is simply not his job.
The fact is, it may be really hard to say ‘no’ because you might feel guilty, as if you’re letting your friend or a relative down or worse off. But the fact is, that’s simply not for you to worry about – not all of the time.
