I’m NOT a Grocery Store
By DianneN
@DianneN (247186)
United States
January 15, 2019 10:15am CST
Never a lender or a borrower be. That is a quote from William Shakespeare’s play, Hamlet, said by Polonius in Act I, Scene III.
I have never borrowed anything in my life except for a pen at times and something blue for my wedding.
However, my doorbell rang last week. Someone needed ketchup . I had an I opened one in my pantry, so I obliged.
The next day, that same person returned a new bottle of ketchup, but asked if I had any toothpaste. I gave her a new tube from my pantry.
Later that day, that same person asked if I had any Worcestershire sauce. I had one opened bottle and gave it to her. However, my husband had to get me a new bottle, since I needed it the next day for beef stew I was making.
And if that isn’t enough, our sister-in-law needed 1/2 cup of milk in my measuring cup.
I don’t mind giving, but I’m not a grocery store!
What about you?
~Photo is of our backyard. I couldn’t tell whether the tide was coming in or going out. It went out.~
57 people like this
60 responses
@andriaperry (117133)
• Anniston, Alabama
15 Jan 19
Been there and got that before. And, That is why I moved to the woods. I do understand needed an egg every now and then but come on! Daily bumming, no way! I would be embarrassed.
Bums are like cats, once you feed them they won`t go away.
10 people like this
@andriaperry (117133)
• Anniston, Alabama
15 Jan 19
@DianneN Next time tell the girl, No I am sorry but I don`t have any of that. So sorry, bye bye.
2 people like this
There have been times when I was a grocery store, but for my kids, not strangers.
Does that mean I could come and ask you for something from your pantry? 
@1hopefulman (45120)
• Canada
15 Jan 19
Well, thanks for asking. I could use some oranges, do you have some I can borrow?
4 people like this
@1hopefulman (45120)
• Canada
16 Jan 19
@DianneN Great, I'll pick them up in a little while! 
Have you ever visited and orange grove?
Have you ever visited and orange grove?1 person likes this
@marguicha (223720)
• Chile
15 Jan 19
I think that it is about time that you say to that person that you don´t have what she is asking.
5 people like this
@marguicha (223720)
• Chile
15 Jan 19
@DianneN But is seems that one of these days, she´ll take over your house
She knos no limits.
She knos no limits.2 people like this
@purplealabaster (22091)
• United States
15 Jan 19
I have borrowed things, and I have lent things. However, I have never, ever gone to a neighbor's house to borrow food, and I just can't imagine ever doing it. The closest thing to it that I have done is been at my parents' house and asked to take something home, because I knew I would need it and didn't want to stop at the grocery store. Even then, most times I just went to the grocery store rather than take from my parents.
3 people like this
@allknowing (137574)
• India
16 Jan 19
Pretty odd that person made a repeat of that. Next time just say you do not have what she is asking for.
No one does that here anyway and nor do I borrow from anyone.
3 people like this
@allknowing (137574)
• India
16 Jan 19
@DianneN Charity and a kind heart begins at home
1 person likes this
@DianneN (247186)
• United States
16 Jan 19
@allknowing I’m just as kindhearted as you, it seems.
1 person likes this
@Tampa_girl7 (50604)
• United States
15 Jan 19
My sisters and I borrow from each other. 
3 people like this
@wolfgirl569 (107927)
• Marion, Ohio
15 Jan 19
I dont mind, but I wont give my last to anyone.
4 people like this
@wolfgirl569 (107927)
• Marion, Ohio
16 Jan 19
@DianneN I would not loan anymore until I got those back.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (121659)
• Gainesville, Florida
16 Jan 19
I don't mind lending food items from my kitchen, but I am a little more hesitant when people ask to borrow money. That's generally a big no-no for me.
4 people like this
@moffittjc (121659)
• Gainesville, Florida
16 Jan 19
@DianneN I agree. It's a sure-fire way to ruin family relationships.
1 person likes this
@noni1959 (10104)
• United States
16 Jan 19
Back when I lived near neighbors, I'd have this happen and have to ask for my tools, cups etc back. When I moved from the last city place, I lived in the foothills on a mountains and the only borrowing was to my library. I had over 3,000 books, movies etc and the ranchers near came to me but always returned what they borrowed. I didn't mind and encouraged it. Now, we live in the forest in Oregon and our place is high up on a steep long drive so no one has come to borrow anything here. Now, my daughter, whom I live with, comes down to my kitchen, (we are in a tri-level with two kitchens), and borrows things but that is fine too. It cost more in gas to drive to a town.
2 people like this
@noni1959 (10104)
• United States
16 Jan 19
@DianneN That is very true. I love living in the mountains but sometimes I wish for the simple. No yard - no maintenance but I am finishing my mini and will have some more quiet. It's still here on my daughter's property and I help out.
1 person likes this
@JohnRoberts (109846)
• Los Angeles, California
15 Jan 19
You mean you are not one stop shopping lol?
3 people like this
@kobesbuddy (78871)
• East Tawas, Michigan
15 Jan 19
I've been in that same position before, while I was struggling to raise two children alone. My neighbor was constantly, in need. One fine day, they wanted to borrow my car. He explained to me, 'It's just sitting in the driveway all day long, not being used! Why shouldn't we be able to drive it?' That's where it all ended! Neither one of them had a job, nor were they seeking out employment and I wasn't their provider
3 people like this
@kobesbuddy (78871)
• East Tawas, Michigan
15 Jan 19
@DianneN Neighbors can be pretty annoying, or they can also be, almost like family. An elderly lady, Rose Mary, acted like she was my own mother! I will never forget her kindness, to me and the kids!
1 person likes this
@cmoneyspinner (9219)
• Austin, Texas
16 Jan 19
That person sounds like a nuisance. And don't tell me they don't know that they're being a nuisance! I'm sure they know it!
It's up to you how you handle it. We had a nuisance neighbor like that. After a while when we heard a knock on the door or the doorbell rang, we looked out the window. If we saw that person, we just didn't answer the door. After a while they stopped coming over.
But you said "sister-in-law". If it's family I'd just tell them I'm not a grocery store! Straight up! I'll say: "Hey! Do you see me coming over to your house asking for stuff? Go grocery shopping like I do." If it's family you don't have to be polite. Just tell 'em where to go! LOL.
2 people like this
@cmoneyspinner (9219)
• Austin, Texas
16 Jan 19
@DianneN - Yeah. Like I say it's you how you want to handle it. You know if you want to maintain the relationship and whether or not a person is taking advantage of you. Our neighbor was being a pest.
1 person likes this
@DianneN (247186)
• United States
16 Jan 19
@cmoneyspinner I hear you! This was the first time in the 6 years that neighbor ever borrowed anything.
1 person likes this
@responsiveme (22926)
• India
15 Jan 19
The blue blue sea looks so good.
What blue did you borrow for your wedding?
2 people like this
@DianneN (247186)
• United States
15 Jan 19
@responsiveme I was. Eventually, it became mine. It was set in platinum with diamonds, but was stolen from the pocket of my jacket at the hairdresser's. I'm still sick over it.
1 person likes this
@responsiveme (22926)
• India
15 Jan 19
@DianneN that must have been very pretty.
And the old ?
1 person likes this
