I have been reading quite a few posts on the topic never a borrower nor a lender be, and it gladdens my heart in some perverse way to know that I am not the only patsy in the world.

But since I am sure you must be inundated with grudge articles on ungrateful friends and their knave like behaviour, I have decided to take this a step further and share my version of 'my experiments with truth'.

Having been brought up in an idealistic culture that belonged to a prehistoric era -- extolling the virtues of giving vis-a-vis receiving -- I soon realised I would be as extinct as the dinosaurs if I did not revise my utopian philosophy of life. However to my utter shock I realised that in spite of all my bluster about being a practical and logical machine etc., like the proverbial leopard I was stuck with my spots.

So I drew upon the great strength of our Middle Class Existence 'COMPROMISE'. With the dexterity of Indian lawmakers I evolved a home-grown philosophy that has served me excellently over the years.

~ Never lend more than you can afford to lose, and when you lend treat it as a donation not an investment that you can count on during your rainy days.

~ Make sure the person actually asks you for the money (to be on the safe side make him beg). Impress on him that you are doing him a favour and the money you are lending him was meant to buy food for your starving family. Trust me, the sure fire way of never getting back your money is to give the impression that you can do without it.

~ Never expect the person you are lending money to be grateful, chances are in the not too distant future you will be dealt an extremely unkind blow by the beneficiary. Be prepared for the same for the depravity and treacherousness of the human soul knows no bounds.

~ Call it Karma if you are a believer or balance of things if you are an atheist, but firmly believe in the philosophy 'what goes around comes around'. If a friend dupes you -- try hard enough -- and in 9 cases out of 10 you will recall a similar situation with yourself in the ingrate borrower's role. Of course that does not absolve your conniving friend, but rest assured sometime somewhere he WILL get his comeuppance -- just like you.

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Have you even found yourself in such a situation? Has a relative/ friend who borrowed money from you defaulted on repayment? How did you handle things?

We would love to hear from you -- email your experiences, advice and opinions in this regard to getahead@rediff.co.in, and the best entries will be published right here on rediff.com.