BORROWING
A borrower is obligated to return an article promptly in as good condition as he found it, or to replace it if it is lost or damaged. Unless fully prepared to take this responsibility, it is better not to borrow. Under very few circumstances should a borrowed article be passed along on loan to a third person without the specific permission of the owner.
It is always difficult to refuse a direct request to lend something, and therefore the would-be borrower does best to open negotiations with a broad hint. . . .
It is no service to lend extremely valuable or irreplaceable objects. . . . If freely offering to lend a delicate piece of equipment or expensive breakables, it is only kind to let the borrower know just how much of a responsibility is being so generously offered.
DAMAGE
If a borrowed article is damaged or lost, the borrower is expected to replace it, not to offer its value in cash. . . .
MONEY
Small amounts may be borrowed casually and returned with equal casualness at next meeting, or by mail if more convenient, though an occasional dime for a telephone call or postage stamp need not be returned.
It is difficult to make strict rules. Many circumstances can justify a man’s borrowing a sizeable sum from a woman, and vice versa. In general, however, a man turns to his men friends first, and a woman to her woman friends.