Money Moral Dilemma: Should I insist my friend pay for the ornaments she broke?

Peter_Vince

Absolutely, yes.  If she didn't immediately offer to pay, then she's not someone I would want as a friend!

[Deleted User]

I can't help thinking that the person you describe as a friend is not a friend.  A friend would take more care not to damage your property in the first place, and would certainly offer to make recompense if they did such a thing, it should have been an instant reaction.  Anyone not offering is not a friend.  You have recognized she is not a friend, that's why you are considering insisting she pay, which of course you can't enforce.  You therefore have nothing to lose in asking for compensation, but it sounds unlikely you'll get it.  Perhaps you could suggest something as an acceptable replacement, assuming that she wants to make amends, and see how she reacts.   

Deelight

I actually can’t believe you have even raised this questions! This should have been dealt with at the time. You can’t rewind the clock and ask for payment now! You can’t replace it anyway so why ruin your friendship! 

Some people don’t alway have the same moral compass and having ‘expectations’ of how someone should behave isn’t helpful either! 

finnifog

A friend is worth gold and rubies, beyond compare. An ornament is just a temporary object. Friends matter more, accidents happen and it's something to laugh about. No - don't ask your friend to pay, unless you want to lose a friend. 

Pollycat

guiriman said:

Why were they even in your house? Count yourself lucky they didn't give you covid and follow the rules in future

How do you know the originator and friend are not in a support bubble?
Even in tier 3, people who live alone can form a support bubble.
The rules are bad enough without making them even more Draconian.

Beeboo23

Who knows, you might get some new ones for Christmas

Marvel1

guiriman said:

Why were they even in your house? Count yourself lucky they didn't give you covid and follow the rules in future

You do know that Wales, England, Scotland and Ireland all have different rules don't you? More shocking (not aimed at you) even though Boris is the PM for the UK, whatever he says in relation to COVID only applies to England!

Let's not forget support bubbles also.

nannysquirrel

A true friend would offer to replace/refund without being asked.

Gloria_Steeth

If you ask outright for reimbursement, when your friend hasn't offered, she might see it as a reproach and that could well strain your friendship. We don't know why she hasn't offered so perhaps a more subtle approach is required, e.g. "Could I borrow your rare Faberge egg to fill THAT BIG GAP on my mantelpiece?" Then sell it. (jk)

Pollycat

Gloria_Steeth said:

If you ask outright for reimbursement, when your friend hasn't offered, she might see it as a reproach and that could well strain your friendship. We don't know why she hasn't offered so perhaps a more subtle approach is required, e.g. "Could I borrow your rare Faberge egg to fill THAT BIG GAP on my mantelpiece?" Then sell it. (jk)

According to the thread title, the originator of the dilemma is considering insisting that the friend pays for the breakages.