To borrow or not to borrow...to lend or not to lend...

[bagolicious]

I would have said,"That would be like asking to borrow my toothbrush".

 

[GelTea]

Like everyone else said, I think OP handled the situation very well. I also agree with this:

A good rule of thumb is to never loan out something that you wouldn't want lost, damaged, or never returned...be it purses, clothes, cars, money, etc.

If you do loan out something, make sure you are able to not hold a grudge against the person you loaned it to (if something happens to it).

If you can do this, then I say "Loan away!"

This is the rule of thumb that I've had with "loaning" out money-no one asks to borrow my handbags, thank goodness! I know it is not a good idea to do it in the first place, but I've had some family situations where I've done it and you have to have the mindset that you may not get it back at all.

The funny thing is, I think I'm more willing to part with cash than with my bags. My bags seem to be a bit more personal in that they've required time and consideration prior to purchasing.

 

[handtasche]

Your co worker does probably not understand the passion and love for purses. Thats why she asked because she thought, that this is "not a big deal"- you probaly have so many bags, so a wedding, come on...
No, I would not a co worker give a bag of mine but I am lucky: nobody will ask me that question because they know my passion for bags

 

[baglover1973]

never in a million years...only person who can borrow my bags is my sister!

 

[Cartier<3]

never everr!

 

[Denaroo]

NOOOOO!! Not even my best friends or my mother!

 

[tiggycat]

No, my rule is to never lend anything I'd care if I lost, because I have loaned things before and they were lost or damaged or not returned. If it was a bag I didn't use anyway I might give it to a friend or relative, but not a random co-worker. I'd point them to a designer rental place or consignment shop so they could get something for their special occasion at a low cost.

 

[puppa]

It is hard to let her borrow, for mw no!

 

[Coach Lover Too]

Not only no, but h*ll no!!

 

[DiamondGirl1]

You did the right thing - don't lend possessions or money unless you understand there is a big chance you won't get them back. And you're willing to take that chance. I personally am not.

 

[ElleN107]

Wow. How awkward. In my experience every time I have loaned something I value the person who borrowed it didn't take care of it or worse, never returned it. So I don't do that anymore. Live and learn.

 

[gratefull]

Only loan something that you are willing to see as a "gift" in actuality

 

[gratefull]

I would have said,"That would be like asking to borrow my toothbrush".

haha! I'd sooner loan my toothbrush than one of my "precious"

 

[SelectiveCathy]

I have a co-worker who knows about my passion for designer handbags and out of the blue she just asked me if she could borrow one of my designer bags for a wedding. I was shocked because I would never ask to borrow my best friend's designer bag let alone a mere co-worker. I really didn't know what to say, so I just said, 'Let's buy one for you. I know a shop where you can buy second hand bag.' She looked hurt and she didn't say anything anymore, but we're still good at work though, nevertheless, it was an awkward situation. Have you been in such position and if not, what would have you said if you had been in such situation?

Oh, wow, that was just so clueless!! I would have said "sorry, but I don't lend bags, not even to my family". So the person would think it is nothing against her, but against everyone else.

You should not be worrying about it, she was the unpolite one. Bravo for saying no!

 

[purselurve]

Call me greedy but HELL - NO! Not even my sisters can... I just think it's such an intimate thing to borrow someone else's purse.. more so a designer one!