Thai woman wonders about paying friend for regular work lifts

[snoop1130]

 

A lady from Thailand recently took to an online forum to ask if it was correct to financially compensate her friend for giving her a lift to work during heavy rainfall. The woman was unsure if the 100 baht she paid for each journey for fuel was above board and was perplexed about the etiquette surrounding this situation.

 

On August 2nd, in a disagreement over transport matters, she shared her situation on the Pantip forum. The lady who works part-time at a bar in Lampang, usually uses her motorcycle for commuting to work. However, during the rainy season she decided against traveling the 7-kilometer distance on her bike due to safety reasons and also to avoid getting wet.

 

Subsequently, she requested a male friend who lived close by to drop her off at work. He agreed to do so and she used to pick her up at 5pm and drop her home at 12:30am. Things went smoothly until, after the second drive, her friend asked for money towards fuel. Initially she assumed it was a one-time request, but her friend continued to ask her for 100 baht every time he drove her.

 

Perplexed by this, she asked their common friends if this was routine behavior. She came to know that this friend usually expected others to contribute towards fuel for drives. While she normally paid the fuel money, she felt the amount asked was too high especially considering the recent increase in fuel prices.

 

She questioned whether it was appropriate to always give money to a friend, considering it as a matter of courtesy. Most online users empathized with the friend who was giving her the lifts, noting that he was not her personal driver and using his car required fuel which costs money. Moreover, the time he took out of his routine to ferry her was also a sacrifice.

 

Users pointed out the difference between asking a friend for an occasional lift, and taking advantage of their generosity too often. The majority suggested her to consider using a taxi service instead, as it wasn't her friend's duty to transport her to work, as reported by KhaoSod.

 

Some comments said, “It's reasonable for your friend to ask for fuel money. It's not just about the cash but also the time and effort he puts in for you.”

“Perhaps it's time to seek alternative transportation. Your friend seems to be helping you out often and might feel he's being imposed upon.”

 

File photo for reference only

 

-- 2024-08-07

 

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[johng]

Yes she should pay some money for lifts to work even from a "friend"

if she doesn't want to pay then use her own transportation  it will  most likely be more expensive (and wet)..on further reading I think there could be some alternative arrangements made in lieu of cash 😋

[Tropicalevo]

Two x 7 kilometer trips for 200 baht and one is late at night.

Bargain.

[watchcat]

16 hours ago, johng said:

Yes she should pay some money for lifts to work even from a "friend"

if she doesn't want to pay then use her own transportation  it will  most likely be more expensive (and wet)..on further reading I think there could be some alternative arrangements made in lieu of cash 😋

 

Call in sick.