u/raflaurent

A friend of mine borrowed some money from me a few months ago. It wasn't a huge amount, but it was enough that I expected him to pay it back.

He told me he'd return it within a couple of weeks. I didn't make a big deal about it because we've been friends for years and I trusted him.

A few weeks passed, then a few more. Whenever I brought it up, there was always another reason why he couldn't pay me yet.

Eventually I stopped asking because I didn't want money to become the main thing between us.

Then recently he asked if I could lend him money again.

I told him no.

He got pretty upset and said I was being petty because I knew he was struggling financially. He also said that if I was really his friend, I wouldn't leave him hanging when he needed help.

I told him I understood that he was struggling, but he still hadn't paid back the first amount. I wasn't comfortable lending him more when I didn't even know if I'd get that back.

He said I was treating our friendship like a business transaction and that I should be more understanding.

Now I'm wondering if I handled this badly. I don't want to ruin a long friendship over money, but at the same time, I feel like it's reasonable to say no after the first loan wasn't repaid.

Am I wrong for refusing to lend him more?