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'Relationships matter more than money'

November 23, 2007
We asked Get Ahead readers to send in their opinions on lending money to their friends/relatives. Here reader Krishna Tripathi does some plain speaking about lending money:

So most of us are of the view that lending money to friend/relative deprives us of both, the money and friend/relative. This sounds a bit strange. Actually it is not lending that deprives us of a friend but it is our own nagging that deprives us of the friend. We may find this sentence strange but a little explanation would complement my statement.

If the friend wants to return the money but lacks resources and you keep on nagging, then you don't deserve to be called a friend. So you don't lose a friend as you didn't have any. If he has resources but don't want to return your money, then he is not worthy of being called a friend. So in this case also you don't lose a friend.

Lending some money to a friend/relative in his time of need can never be termed as foolishness or whatever. Even if you don't get it back for some reasons. A few thousand rupees (if you earn in thousands/month) does not spoil your life but think of the situation your friend would be facing if you don't lend.

I always help any person in need. Sometimes I get it back, sometimes I don't. But that does not stop me from helping.

We live in a society and we are humans. If we don't understand the needs and feelings of friends, why are we living? I think we don't deserve to be called humans if we don't behave like one. Further, those who advocate the concept of not lending, please tell how do you refuse money to a friend? What do you tell him? "Sorry, I don't lend money?" Do you think you deserve to be called a friend after this statement? Relationships matter more than money.

One final thing as many of us has heard the old tales of Baba Bharti and Khadag Singh. Don't spread on the Internet that lending is foolishness. One day you might be in need and the same arguments may be applied to you as well.

Disclaimer: This is a reader-driven feature. The views expressed by the readers are their own, and not that of Rediff.com. Rediff.com has not altered the material presented here and does not endorse it in any way.

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.

Also read: How safe is your online banking transaction?

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