PERPETUAL BORROWERS.

Dunstan Times, Issue 3146, 4 December 1922, Page 2

PERPETUAL BORROWERS.

(By G. B. Hughes.)

Women who firmly resolve never in any circumstances to lend anyone anything can only be considered mean. Meanness is a despicable characteristic. At the same time, the borrowing habit which is acquired by girls ami women in their business life 1 sometimes helps' to create this meanness. Unfortunately, habitual borrowers invariably lose all 1 sense of obligation in paying their debts. They tell plausible tales to wheedle out of goodnatured co-workers anything from a handkerchief to a sum of money. As for books, many business girls seem to imagine that they are justified in forming their own library out of books belonging to friends. Some may, after weeks and months, have the decency to give back a book that has been lent, but the condition in which it is returned often shows great lack of consideration on the part of the borrower.

Tho money borrower develops into tho worst type, for her methods become so obviously dishonest. A girl in an office told me that one of her colleagues had borrowed on many occasions from almost everyone on the promises, from tho manageress downwards. It appeared that she made her requests in such a wonderfully appealing way that, while the sums she required were small, they were willingly lent, and at first repaid fairly promptly. Then her demands were for higher sums, and her promises to return wore constantly broken. Even so, the girl’s persuasive powers are successful with one person if not with another. A.s a rule the first “borrow” is excusable if it is for a good and justifiable reason.’The feeling of relief at being lifted out of what was a difficult position unfortunately causes some girls to fall into fresh financial troubles easilv.

Many large-hearted business girls deny themselves necessities in order that they may be able to lend to assumed deserving cases. Vet, in the interests of these “borrowers.” it is generally often kinder to say “No!” The average woman suffers agonies at the weight of her first debt, hut familiarity breeds contempt, and she who once passed sleepless nights on account of a borrowed half-crown grows to slumber peacefully under debts of a far heavier character. At times a loan is invaluable to a business girl—he it handkerchief, umbrella. hooks or-money—so. in the interests of those who deserve help, others should make a firm resolve not to yield to the wiles of the perpetual borrower.