Real life MMD: Should my son pay for the t-shirt?

neilpost

esp1 wrote: »

I think you have to establish the facts.

Assuming this was actually a game of rugby, not just a friendly 'chuck around' in the park, you should not pay for this shirt. If the other boy knowingly played a contact sport in his 'pricey' shirt, then it is his fault that the shirt got ripped. If this is the case, you should NOT offer any part payment as a 'goodwill' gesture - this would be like admitting that your son is in some way culpable.

If, on the other hand, it was just a friendly ball game in the park, I would suggest that you speak to the other kids present to establish whether your son was being rougher than everyone else when the shirt got ruined. If the boys were just having some fun in the park and your son was rough, then your son should be paying at least half - all of the price if he was spoiling the fun by behaving stupidly and recklessly.

I think it is a bit strange to accuse this boy of wearing a 'pricey' shirt to play in, when this was only a £25 shirt - we're not talking a £100 designer label here, we're talking a normal priced garment, so I don't think the other kid can be accused of being particularly irresponsible (my son's school rugby shirts cost £38!). The fact that you say that your son was playing with a 'few friends' also suggests to me that your son has not been entirely honest about this being a rugby game. Speak to the other kids present and find out who is telling the truth - certainly, your son's story is full of holes and does not ring entirely true

The OP says 't-shirt' - not shirt, designer shirt, team rugby shirt, rugby shirt or designer t-shirt if anyone thinks there is such a thing - A t-shirt with Henley's, Bench, SuperDry or Chav printed on it is not a designer item, it is just a 3rd world mass produced t-shirt with some made up mumbo jumbo/logo printed on it.

As mentioned earlier £ 25 for a t-shirt :rotfl:

mungaman

No way, don't pay.
If worse comes to worse, get the kid a sewing kit from poundland,
then tell him to stick his friendship where the sun don't shine, then tell
him to stick to playing tiddly winks!!

Jesthar

Unless this was a spontanous chuckabout and the lad wearing the shirt was an unintended participant, why on earth should your son pay for it? I've stepped back from events in my time with a "sorry, I don't want to damage this top" apology, and whilst I may not play the rugby there is a very good reason why the t-shirts I wear when playing sport or riding are drawn from the pile affectionately known as 'scruff tops'...

This lad should either have worn a more suitable top or declined to participate in the game, simple as that. Has he not seen the damage pro players can do to even the heavily reinforced shirts they wear? :doh:

moneysavingchat

Don't wear good clothes when playing a rough game,
You call that a friend?
(maybe he can claim on his house insurance instead...!!!???;))

Ruthie787

Can't believe he could be so stupid to wear an expensive shirt to play rugby or anything else. I would suggest he is very vain and also materialistic and very shallow

Your son should definately not pay!

Veryskint

no way!!!!!!!!!!

Ebenezer_Screwj

Perhaps they should have "thought twice" before fooling around in a public area instead of playing rugby in the proper place and with the proper attire. They need to sort out the consequences of their actions between them.

nhampson

Up to the individual to wear something appropriate for whatever they are doing

Pay? No way!

debtsarehandcuffs

There is no debate - the answer is no- I suspect your son's friends' parents have told him he has to pay for it and he is not happy with that and is trying to pass on the blame.

awehla

No - that's silly. The boy will just have to learn next time not to wear expensive tops when playing rugby.

When I was younger I was told not to play with these "naughty" children round the corner. I was outside and the kids nextdoor were playing but the children round the corner I was banned from were also there. One of the naughty kids pushed me off the wall and I landed on the neighbours tomato plants and got a hole in my top. My Mum was really annoyed but no one thought about compensation for my top or the neighbours tomato plants - these things happen.