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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

to ask to borrow my neighbour's Economist?

30 replies

Bumperlicious · 22/06/2008 21:24

Just want to know if this is really cheeky. My neighbour downstairs is a nice man, don't know him really well, just the occasional "hi, how you doing, isn't the weather nice?" type convos. He has a wife and a young daughter, they seem quite laid back.

Anyway he has a subscription to the Economist (we have a communal hallway where the post comes) and I was thinking of asking him what he does with them, as if he just bins/recycles them I would love to nab them and read them. There is no way I could afford a sub, and I couldn't even justify it as I don't get to read much with the baby, but would really like to dip into them, even if they are out of date.

So would I BU to ask if he would mind me borrowing them or having his old ones? How could I ask in a way which allows him to say no and not feel embarrassed? And would the offer off homemade muffins be a really wanky exchange? Would you think I was a freeloading loon in I asked you?

OP posts:
Bronze · 22/06/2008 21:25

Just ask. what have you got to lose

Bumperlicious · 22/06/2008 21:27

My reticence is more that I don't want to embarrass him if he want to say no.

OP posts:
MaureenMLove · 22/06/2008 21:27

nah! Ask away! I'm sure he wouldn't mind. If it wasn't for my neighbours, I'd have to go shopping every week! I'm not sure who even owns the gravy powder anymore!

Amphibimum · 22/06/2008 21:27

if you ask casually enough, along lines of 'if you just bins/recycle them I would love to nab them and read them' i dont see how he can be offended or put on the spot. i think it sounds a great arrangement.

i would NOT think freeloading loon. id think 'cool! what a good idea'

southeastastra · 22/06/2008 21:29

he might collect them

Bumperlicious · 22/06/2008 21:29

Thanks! Should I write a note or ask in person?

Think I will offer some yummy white chocolate and rasberry muffins...mmmmmm

OP posts:
Amphibimum · 22/06/2008 21:30

he might, which is why you ought to ask all casual, like. i keep our old private eyes and new scientists (because i like to think i'll get round to reading them and improving meself at some point )

Amphibimum · 22/06/2008 21:30

oh in person, so you can guage response. definately.

Amphibimum · 22/06/2008 21:31

ok, the spelling of guage has got me (??)

spicemonster · 22/06/2008 21:32

Even if he does collect them (my sister keeps hers) then I'm sure he wouldn't mind if you borrowed it and returned it.

I'd be really pleased if someone wanted my old magazines - anyone in NW London want a ton of Eve mags?

Amphibimum · 22/06/2008 21:33

true! id be happy to lend you a big pile of my mags if you were my neighbour.

Bumperlicious · 22/06/2008 21:34

Ahh, spice, we've all gone off Eve...did you see the Bunting Cupcake threads . We are staging a backlash!

OP posts:
Bumperlicious · 22/06/2008 21:35

Awww you guys are nice . When I used to buy mags I offloaded shared them with my old neighbour. We used to leave randoms copies of Look and Heat in each other's mail boxes .

OP posts:
Amphibimum · 22/06/2008 21:36

thats why shes offloading them, no?

Amphibimum · 22/06/2008 21:37

but thats really nice bumper. aw, youre making me all wistful about having neighbours. nice ones, obv. (live in sticks. could converse with the wildlife but not so rewarding for gossip i find)

spicemonster · 22/06/2008 21:39

I've gone off it too but I had a subscription. There might be some keeno bunting ladies out there - surely there's the odd one or two flouncing around fashioning cupcakes? Swap you two copies for an Economist

Bumperlicious · 22/06/2008 21:39

Yes, 'tis the spirit of the community, not that I am poor tight! I really love the idea of "trading". We actually have a local bartering system that I must sign up to.

OP posts:
MrsMuddle · 22/06/2008 22:43

My neighbours and I are always posting used magazines through each others doors. We barely see each other, but we keep in touch with post-it notes on tatty copies of Red and Woman and Home!

soopermum1 · 22/06/2008 23:15

i think he would be flattered and would give you them. just reinforces his good taste and boosts his ego.

PrincessPeaHead · 22/06/2008 23:19

I'd give him an "out" - say something like "I noticed you get the Economist, and I'm sure you probably keep them to refer to them later, or pass them on to colleagues or something, but on the off-chance that you throw them away or recycle them, I wonder if I could take them off your hands?"

Lets him say "oh I'm really sorry but you are right, I do take them into work and pass them on" even if he doesn't

Issy · 22/06/2008 23:28

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at OP's request

christiana · 22/06/2008 23:28

Message withdrawn

Bumperlicious · 23/06/2008 07:44

Christiana it's actually nearly a hundred pounds a year.

OP posts:
christiana · 23/06/2008 07:48

Message withdrawn

webchick · 23/06/2008 07:48

If u live in s London bumper u can have mine - I read about 1 every 3 weeks so have a bit of a backlog!