This thing about it being ‘only £6...’ and the suggestion that either someone shouldn’t ask for ‘just’ £6 back (as if it infers some kind of poverty on yourself...or stinginess to want it back) or that it’s almost okay not to pay it back if it’s a small amount....NO! Missing the point totally.
If you give/lend money to a close friend, your relationship with each other and financial things might determine whether you repay the money or just take it in turns to pay for things, or one person always pays...or whatever. All fine if it’s all understood.
Here we are talking about a neighbour/stranger. They have responded to a request for help and gone out if their way with time and also been prepared to find the purchase from their own purse. That money should certainly be offered back to the Op, totally regardless of the amount. It is money the neighbour needed to spend and the Op essentially lent it to a stranger. The neighbour did not ask for a hand-out or a purchase to be funded, simply for someone to go to the shops for them. Giving money or funding as a form of charity if someone can’t find themselves is a different kind of help to providing practical help in terms of purchasing, but the person needing help having the ability to fund the purchase themself.
As the Op ‘signed up’ to carry out a practical task of shopping and not to funding or gifting a purchase, they absolutely can expect the money back or at least offered. That was the basis on which the help was given. Of course Op should not have to ask for the money, but if several days have passed and the neighbour has been seen out and about and made no effort to return the money, then asking for it is perfectly fine.
Asking for that money can be totally non-confrontational by text, note through the door etc....various possibilities to return the money can be offered making it easier for neighbour to do so. Most people would feel a bit uncomfortable to knock on the door and ask for the money....but of course that wouldn’t be wrong, if rather ‘in your face’ for many people. And the amount is irrelevant. Do some people think it would be worse or better to knock and ask for £50 instead of £6, or to send a note for a larger amount rather than £6.
Op could just decide it’s all too awkward to text, WhatsApp or drop a note. That would be a shame because it obviously has played on her mind or she wouldn’t have posted here. By not responding she will be left feeling a bit irritated and probably less likely to help someone again.
In the end, is it best to not ask for the money but be left with a bitter feeling and to have list your faith in humanity a bit and be less likely to help someone in future? Or is it better to bite the bullet and send a friendly text, which in all likelihood will receive a response of an apology for tardiness followed by speedy return of the money..perhaps a friendship with this neighbour will develop or perhaps the Op will be encouraged to help other people in future ...and the world is a better place. And that’s all for the sake of just sending a text.
There is nothing wrong in asking for the return of money which was effectively lent to a stranger. Some people seem to think that would be a source of shame,e specially if a small sum. Unless you volunteered to actually gift the purchase rather than just make a visit to the shop, returning the money (ideally upfront) but if not pretty quickly after, really is part of the deal. Those who want to avail themselves of neighbours’ kindnesses should make sure they pay back cash if that’s part of the arrangement and they should be held to it....not just because they owe the money but because if people aren’t held to it, the basis of people being willing to help people like this is quickly eroded. So it’s not just about the £6 itself, but the principle for the Op and the bigger principle for a society where people need neighbourly help and we want neighbours to be willing to provide it.
Fine not to knock on the door. Definitely don’t shame the person on Facebook, but a quick private WhatsApp or text or note which is a friendly reminder is more than absolutely fine..it’s also helping neighbourly support continue into the future.