Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To think I shouldn't have to replace my colleague's umbrella?

154 replies

PineappleFwitters · 19/05/2017 11:49

One of my colleagues is notoriously tight-fisted - the sort who steals biscuits from meeting rooms, is always the first to help himself when you buy treats for the office yet whatever he buys never gets offered around.

He is also very proud of the fact that he's never bought an umbrella for years as he has a collection of ones he's found on the train! He keeps about 3 of them in his drawer at work. The other day it started bucketing down and I had no umbrella so I asked if I could borrow one. After much deliberation he gave me the oldest one he had but I was grateful anyway as it saved me from being drenched.

Unfortunately it was also a windy day, and just as I got home, it got caught in a gust of wind and turned completely inside out. I examined it and it was pretty much wrecked. I apologised to my colleague the next day and explained what happened and he's insisting I buy him a new one, and "not one of those cheap jobs from Primark"!

AIBU to think I shouldn't have to? It was an ancient one he found on the tube years ago and he has plenty of spares! Or, if I'm going to replace it I don't see why it should be with a brand new brolly when it wasn't new to begin with. And no, it's not that he can't afford a new umbrella (he is single, on a good wage and has no mortgage) or that he's a collector of antique umbrellas!

OP posts:
Thread gallery
6
PineappleFwitters · 19/05/2017 20:55

Oh don't, he's a huge fan of the Judge!

OP posts:
TroysMammy · 19/05/2017 21:16

I worked with someone who would happily help herself to cakes brought in for a birthday but never bought cakes brought in for charity, especially as we raised money for breast cancer and this was very close to home for her. I pulled her up on this and said " why do you always take cakes when they are free but never buy any for charity?" It wasn't because he couldn't afford it, she was tight beyond belief. She would take handfuls of Christmas chocolates from work to put in her children's Christmas stockings.

I can't remember whether she paid up or never had any cake in work afterwards but I was the only one to say what everyone had been talking amongst themselves about. And it was me who made the cakes.

PineappleFwitters · 19/05/2017 21:48

Same with my colleague Troy, and his moaning about having to make a donation to Macmillan before scoffing the cakes from their coffee morning.

OP posts:
TaliZorahVasNormandy · 19/05/2017 23:08

Tell him you thought about getting him one, but since he has another two in his desk, you made a charity donation instead.

BorisTrumpsHair · 20/05/2017 14:23

Inspired by this thread I've got the Moosewood one in the oven now.

BorisTrumpsHair · 20/05/2017 14:24

Oops wrong thread!

Mummmy2017 · 20/05/2017 14:47

You should ask lost property if they have any old brollys, and give it to him........

Starlight2345 · 20/05/2017 16:47

I was at a village hall today and saw an old abandoned brolly..I did think of this thread .It was leopard print , would of been perfect.

PineappleFwitters · 20/05/2017 17:00

Right, NEWS! I spotted an abandoned umbrella sitting on a wall today so have taken it for cheapskate colleague. I shall post an update on Monday...

OP posts:
expatinscotland · 20/05/2017 18:16

Grin DO IT! And remember, he takes it or leaves it. Tough shit.

dudsville · 20/05/2017 18:18

Even though it wasn't good quality, and even though he's an ass, it was, in the broadest sense of the term, his property, so I think I would take the higher ground and buy the replacement.

Mummyoflittledragon · 20/05/2017 18:23

YEH! He's going to be disappointed. You've outwitted a chespskate.

expatinscotland · 20/05/2017 18:51

He probably wants you to hand him a nice one so he can use it as a gift for someone, the tight wanker. 'Like for like. Take it or leave it.' Don't ever borrow anything from him again.

PastysPrincess · 20/05/2017 20:33

Excellent plan!

Siwdmae · 20/05/2017 21:47

He loaned you an umbrella and you broke it. Who's being tight here? I'd buy him one comparable to what he had. He didn't steal the umbrella

As mentioned, theft by finding is a crime.

SuperFlyHigh · 21/05/2017 13:34

Marking place but please please fill it with maggots or glitter or paper from hole punchers.... Grin

BluebellsNsunshine · 21/05/2017 14:39

I would just replace it to keep him sweet, you never know when you'd need an umbrella again and if you don't replace it you may get drenched next time. Just make sure when you give him the replacement there is an audience, so if he says something ungrateful or outrages he'll be the one paying for it socially!

cantthinkofafunnyusername · 21/05/2017 20:29

Place marking for update tomorrow 😁

rightwhine · 21/05/2017 20:38

How convenient.

RibenaMonsoon · 21/05/2017 20:49

Sounds like someone I know. He goes out walking to see if he can spot coins people have dropped. He then takes them home, puts them in separate jars and has a spreadsheet detailing where and when he found them.

Glad you found one and didn't have to buy one. How cheap can you get?!

jakscrakers · 21/05/2017 22:26

go to a poundshop and buy the brightest gaudiest one they have for him

TaliZorahVasNormandy · 21/05/2017 22:33

Ribena, what the fuck! Who has that much time on their hands?

Italiangreyhound · 21/05/2017 22:41

Replace it with like for like and never borrow from him again.

AwaywiththePixies27 · 22/05/2017 06:25

Sounds like someone I know. He goes out walking to see if he can spot coins people have dropped. He then takes them home, puts them in separate jars and has a spreadsheet detailing where and when he found them.

That person has way too much time on their hands. 😂

Iris65 · 22/05/2017 06:36

Give him one of the paper umbrellas that are in some cocktails. It is an umbrella. ☂️