There is a saying: "A friend in need is a friend indeed."
However, when a friend wants to borrow money, whether in real life or in TV shows and movies, it's often difficult to lend money immediately. The issue is not about whether you have the money or not. There is always a concern: if I lend the money, will I get it back in the future?
According to the saying, a friend in need is a friend indeed. If you refuse to lend money, it might make you feel a little regretful because most people are kind and afraid of being unkind.
Let us examine this saying more closely.
Is this person really your true friend? When you think about the definition of a "friend," this person might just be an acquaintance or a distant relative.
Often, we are reluctant to lend money because we know of many examples where relationships were ruined after lending money. There's another saying: don't lend money to a true friend if you still value the relationship.
So, if your friend wants to borrow money from you, you should refuse if you can, or be prepared to lose both your money and the friendship.
This might sound a bit harsh, but it has become a social principle since that saying became widespread. Therefore, a true friend should not try to borrow money from friends, but instead turn to a bank or financial institution.
But what if there are many friends or relatives who genuinely need help and money? What is the solution?
If you really cannot refuse and have to lend the money, then you should do so and just forget about it. Don't expect to get it back. If you can keep this in mind, you will feel better.
There is always a judgment involved: a true friend will not borrow money from you, and if they are a true friend, there should be no problem lending them money.