ADVERTISEMENT
“Don’t Be Cheap” — The Most Common Accusation
Let’s address the word that always gets thrown around in situations like this: cheap.
The moment you say no, someone implies you’re cheap.
But refusing to pay for what you didn’t consume isn’t being cheap — it’s being reasonable.
Cheap is:
- Expecting others to cover your excess
- Ordering freely because you assume the cost will be shared
- Using social pressure to avoid accountability
Setting boundaries around money doesn’t mean you lack generosity. It means you value fairness and consent.
The Unspoken Expectation: “You Can Afford It”
What made the situation worse was the subtle assumption behind it all: I could afford to pay more, so I should.
This is where things get uncomfortable.
Just because someone appears financially stable doesn’t mean:
- They should cover others
- They should stay silent
- Their money is communal
No one knows anyone else’s financial priorities, obligations, or stress. And even if they did — it still wouldn’t entitle them to someone else’s money.
I am not a walking ATM.
And neither are you.
ADVERTISEMENT
