How to ask friends to pay me back?

This is really minor but I payed for me and my friend’s dinner because I had this app that got us a discount, (there were only 3 of us), they each owe me around £20, which I know isn’t huge but we are teenagers 😭 I want to ask them to pay me back but they aren’t getting my hints. I’ll say things like ‘what did we eat last time?’ Or ‘wow the discount app works for practically everything’ I even whipped out the receipt and sent a picture on our group chat (tbh it was at the very bottom of a bunch of photos) but they seem to have forgotten. They are both definitely more better of than me so it’s not like they’re broke 😭. How do I ask for the money back? Or do I just let it go, it’s just because usually we all pay back immediately and idk what to do, it’s been a few days 😭

Reply 1

LJ234

Just ask them outright. £40 is a lot of money and it’s not fair, especially if they’re better off than you. Just say ‘I never got that meal money’ or ‘do you mind sending that £20 for the meal over? Thanks’ or something. You don't have to justify wanting £20 back lol

Reply 2

Zarek

“you still owe me £20 from dinner the other day” Maybe they thought it was your treat

Reply 3

Dunnig Kruger

There's a few options.

Shame them in front of their social circle / the whole class. EG Say in a loud voice so everyone can hear "Hey Charlie, you know that £20 you promised me for that meal at (insert name of place)??? So you've got that £20 now?... No?! Come on Charlie I'm disappointed. You promised!!! I'll come home with you after school today, so we can settle things? OK?" Rinse and repeat till they pay up.

Arrange to go to another restaurant with them. Eat and drink £60 worth. Even if you have to bring your kid brother if it's a cheapo place. At the end of the meal declare "It's your turn to pay guys. I paid last time."

Go to their home and demand the money, plus your travel expenses, plus the value of your time to travel there as payment from their parents (something in the region of £40). Explaining how disappointed you are by their broken promise.

Treat this as a good life lesson. Never lend money to friends, boyfriends, girlfriends. It's also fine if you never give them gifts. Go on great adventures and mini adventures with friends and lovers. Don't put yourself in a position where you can become a victim.
Place a high value on your time. And with time being money, an appropriate value on your money.

I agree with you that it's annoying and disappointing when friends don't pay you back without prompting.
This is the sort of thing that was covered humourously in Stephen Potter's Oneupmanship series of books. Where your friends have gotten one up on you by getting you to pay for their meal. They either get to keep the £20. Or they get to make you feel guilty for pestering them for it. Either way they are one up on you.

Reply 4

Anonymous #2

Original post by Anonymous

Just say to them "...have you got the App yet. May we should go out for dinner again....." THEN make sure you "accidentally" leave your App at home and see what happens. That will show if they are spongers or genuine !! Make sure you eat £40 worth lol