Is It Wrong to Keep Borrowed Lawnmower Without Asking? | Reddit Dilemma

It started with a simple loan, a lawnmower, and a “take your time” promise. Six months later, a friendship has turned into a weird little custody dispute, and the OP is sitting there thinking, “Technically he never asked for it back.”

The OP, a 28-year-old guy, borrowed Mike’s lawnmower because his own was broken. Mike was laid-back, told him there was no rush, and the OP finally fixed his mower… but then got used to using Mike’s, which honestly works better. Now Mike hasn’t brought it up once, and the OP is considering keeping it, even while feeling guilty.

This is the kind of favor that quietly turns into a boundary test, and Mike might not realize the line has been crossed.

Original Post

So I'm (28M) and I have this friend, let's call him Mike. I borrowed his lawnmower about six months ago since mine was broken.

He was super chill about it, told me to take my time with returning it, no rush. Fast forward to now, I've fixed my lawnmower, but I got used to having Mike's, which honestly works better.

Now, Mike never asked for it back, and I kind of enjoy using his. I'm considering not returning it at all.

I feel bad, but he hasn't mentioned it. Would I be the a*****e for just keeping it without bringing it up with him?

I honestly don't know if I'm wrong here. Really need outside perspective.

The Fine Line of Borrowing

This scenario highlights the delicate balance between friendship and ownership. The OP initially had a casual arrangement with Mike, who assured him there was no rush to return the lawnmower. But as six months passed, that lighthearted agreement started to feel more like a grey area—especially since the OP's own lawnmower was now fixed. It's easy to see how one could grow attached to something borrowed, but does that emotional attachment justify keeping it without asking?

In this case, the OP's reluctance to return the lawnmower reveals a deeper conflict about entitlement and respect for boundaries. The moral dilemma here isn’t just about a lawnmower; it’s about what it means to honor commitments in friendships. Would Mike even want it back, or is the OP simply rationalizing his desire to keep something that’s become convenient?

The moment Mike said “no rush,” the OP basically took that vibe as permission to coast, and now the six-month timeline is doing damage.

Comment from u/catlover_123

NTA, if he hasn't bothered to ask for it back, it's practically yours now. Might be good to offer to return it though, just in case.

Comment from u/pizzaforlife

Bruh, just ask him if he needs it back. But not bringing it up at all is shady.

Comment from u/garden_guru77

Honestly, just be upfront with Mike. It's his lawnmower, not yours. Even if he said no rush, it's the right thing to do.

Comment from u/mysteryreader

YTA if you don't at least mention it to him. Put yourself in his shoes, how would you feel if someone did that to you?

While the OP’s own mower is fixed, Mike’s mower is still in the OP’s yard, getting used like it’s part of the deal.

Comment from u/icecreamfiend

It's a tricky situation, but communication is key. Just ask him about the lawnmower. Better to have clarity than guilt.

This is similar to the AITA debate over asking my friend to repay a loan, risking Mike-level friendship.

Is It Wrong to Ask a Friend to Repay a Loan? The Dilemma of Friendship vs. Finances

Comment from u/coffeelover2021

Honestly, returning it without him asking would show a lot about your character. It's not about the lawnmower, it's about respect.

Comment from u/musiclover99

NTA as of now, but you would be if you keep it without discussing it with him.

Reddit commenters cut straight to it, with u/pizzaforlife calling it “shady” for not even asking, and u/garden_guru77 saying it’s still Mike’s lawnmower.

Comment from u/skygazer55

To keep it or not keep it, that's the real question here. But seriously, just talk to him. It's the mature thing to do.

Comment from u/artsygirl_27

It's important to respect people's belongings. Maybe he's too polite to ask, who knows? Just ask him about the lawnmower situation.

Comment from u/codingaddict

If he said no rush, he's probably not the type to demand things back. But out of respect, give him the chance to decide what he wants to do with his lawnmower.

Even the “NTA, it’s practically yours now” take from u/catlover_123 comes with a tiny lifeline, “might be good to offer to return it,” because the guilt is clearly there.

What are your thoughts on this situation? Share your perspective in the comments below.

Community Perspectives on Ownership

The Reddit community's reactions to this post show just how divided people can be when it comes to borrowing. Others will argue that a lack of communication doesn’t equate to consent. This illustrates a broader issue: when relationships involve shared resources, expectations can easily misalign.

Moreover, it raises questions about the nature of friendships. Are we obligated to return borrowed items, or does the passage of time create a kind of unwritten ownership? This story resonates because it captures the complexities of adult relationships, where rules aren’t always clearly defined, leading to both confusion and debate.

Where Things Stand

This dilemma underscores the intricacies of borrowing within friendships and how it can lead to unexpected tensions. The OP’s situation resonates because many of us have faced similar challenges in navigating personal boundaries. Should he return the lawnmower out of principle, or is it fair game since Mike hasn't asked for it back? What would you do in his shoes?

What It Comes Down To

The situation with the borrowed lawnmower highlights the complexities of friendship and ownership. The OP's initial casual agreement with Mike quickly turned into a grey area as he grew attached to the more effective lawnmower, which reflects a common human tendency to rationalize our desires—especially when there's no immediate pressure to return something. The lack of communication from Mike adds further ambiguity, leaving the OP to question not just his moral obligation but also what it means to be a respectful friend.

Now he’s wondering if “he never asked” is really a good excuse, or just a fancy way to keep someone else’s stuff.

Next, see what happened when a friend ignored the money repayment agreement and refused further loans.

Friend Ignores Money Agreement: Would I Be Wrong to Refuse Further Loans?