what would YOU do?

[malta blue]

I have a very good friend who works for the same company as me. She taught me how to change a diaper when Little MB was born, I bought the house next door to her when Little MB's dad and I split up so I could be close to her, you get the idea.

We carpool to work as much as we can now that all the employees for our company are in the same building. There were many times prior to the consolidation that she drove me to work so I could leave my car for my mom, and I would give her gas money.


There is another woman who catches a ride with us, but she has no vehicle. The week that my very good friend was on vacation in August, this woman rode with me every day and gave me $20 for gas.

For the past month, I have not been able to carpool because of the Mr MB issues, schedules, etc., and I just found out today that this woman has been riding with my friend every day and has never given her gas money :wtf:

She said she figured since my friend picked her up on the way, she didn't need to give any money.

Now I know everyone's belt's have tightened, but shouldn't she be kicking SOMETHING to us? I mean, my friend and I don't exchange money because (1) we are close friends and (2) we take turns driving. I think this woman should throw some money our way....

And she wants to ride with me tomorrow since my friend has a scheduling conflict :banghead:

[taterguy]

1. What distance are we talking about?

That will determine how I answer

[malta blue]

2. our commute is 30 miles each way

and my friend would usually get on the highway at a different exit if we were NOT carpooling. I pass the exit to get to the park n ride.

[4 t 4]

3. I've found in my life

in situations like this "kill um with kindness" 20 bucks here or there is not going to change your life. Let her come to the conclusion that it's not fair and if she doesn't, chances are you won't be friends with her soon because maybe she has some character flaws.

[malta blue]

4. you're right, the $$ is not going to make a huge difference

it is just the idea that this woman thinks she shouldn't have to pay is a really messed up one.

[rug]

5. Stop at Dunkin Donuts, send her out to buy coffee, drive away.

[Lyric]

6. We were in a reverse of that situation last Spring.

A friend whose classes started at the same time as ours (and who only lives a quarter-mile away) would swing by and pick us up on his way in most of the time. We'd try to offer gas money, but he'd just shrug it off and say, "I'm going there anyway. It's no extra expense to take you along." Sometimes I'd hide a twenty in his glove box just to get him to take it. He's sweet. Unfortunately, his class times and ours no longer coincide, so we're taking the bus every day.

If you want gas money from your co-worker, but you aren't comfortable with confronting her directly about her stance, just tell her that you're both tightening up your gasoline budgets due to the bad economy. Extra weight in the car *does* decrease your mileage to a degree, so it's perfectly reasonable to ask her to contribute.