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Is my friend becoming a moocher?

 
 
Reply Thu 22 Sep, 2016 06:05 am
We met recently in my hometown around breakfast at a cafe. We ordered two breakfast meals. First, I was shocked when my friend ate almost 3/4 of the food because the basket was large enough to accomodate two people. However, there were also other separate food items. After finishing eating, he took a 20 euro note to pay for his share. I saw him putting his 20 note back into his pocket. I got my own credit card out and he asked me: 'Are you paying with your card?' I said 'yes, why?' Then he went silent and nodded at the card but put his 20 note back into his pocket. I told him I felt uncomfortable for covering for both of us in the last minute. He then gave me a 5 note and a one and said he would pay me the rest back later (3 euros).

When I got back home, I called him and told I wanted to meet him to have my money back. He told me he had to a train to catch at 6 pm but he would make a bank transfer later. Since we live in neighboring countries, we might see each other again but I'm not sure I would want to hang out if I don't feel safe around him. I don't know how if I even should accept another invitation from him, or if I should just should cut him off without an explanation? I feel used and so angry for having been deceived this way. I'm upset for actually having to ask him to give me back my money.

I'm confused with all this shady behavior because this is the first time he's doing that. Before he always paid for his share. At the beginning I though he might be going through some rough times, I thought he was broke for a moment but I remembered he had mentioned some time ago that he would go to Vietnam for the summer. Plus I think he went on another trip to Norway this month. I'm very angry I let myself being deceived when he clearly could cover for his meal. Then it is not so much about losing money, but also feeling openly disrespected. I'm losing trust in him.

I feel even worse because I have few friends at the moment and I feel constantly on the defensive.
 
jespah
 
  3  
Reply Thu 22 Sep, 2016 07:02 am
@lollipop7,
3 euros is (currently) the equivalent of $3.35 American. Or, it's the price of two sodas.

Decide whether this friendship is worth more or less, or the same as, that. And maybe it is worth less. If it is, then write this person off, and be done with it. If it's worth the same, then give this person the opportunity to make amends. Not by dunning for payment, but by going out again, not ordering any food to share, and then pulling the same payment trick that he did. Then say, "We're even". And mean it. And if the friendship is worth more, then continue to socialize and don't say another word about it.

In all three scenarios, you don't stew over it. It's over and done, or it's done quickly. If you are stewing over minutiae and are overly defensive, then it is not this person's fault; it's a personal issue which you might want to explore with a trained impartial professional.
0 Replies
 
PUNKEY
 
  4  
Reply Thu 22 Sep, 2016 09:43 am
HE ASKED: 'Are you paying with your card?'

YOU should have said, "I'm paying for my own breakfast."

He may have mis-understood that you were picking up the entire bill with your card.

In any case, NOW you know to keep your finances to yourself when with this person - or any other person.

He owes you another breakfast, but don't really expect it.
0 Replies
 
Ragman
 
  3  
Reply Thu 22 Sep, 2016 09:55 am
@lollipop7,
Consider this minor loss as a disappointment and a small payment for a lesson learned. Sometimes those lessons can cost a whole llot more. Perhaps you got away cheaply?

On the surface from what I've seen here, hedoesn't seem worth investing much more trust.
contrex
 
  2  
Reply Thu 22 Sep, 2016 11:54 am
In England, we would say this guy was "taking the piss". If your friendship and trust mattered to him, he could have counteracted the impression of being a moocher by taking the trouble to repay the small sum involved, however he chose not to, or didn't think it was important enough. Now you know what he is like. A piss-taker.

0 Replies
 
cicerone imposter
 
  2  
Reply Thu 22 Sep, 2016 12:02 pm
@Ragman,
What Ragman said. Also, it's a relatively "cheap" lesson. Don't expect any reimbursement, and call it a day. Just write if off, and forget about it. It's not worth the anxiety. If he calls again, just say you're busy. If he presses, just repeat that you're busy.
Friends don't treat friends that way.
0 Replies
 
 

 
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