A Venmo request for a coffee and a muffin: is that petty?
Editors' DilemmaOctober 28, 2026· Be the first to vote
A story made up by our editors to get the debate going, not a real account.
My side
A friend and I often meet up on Saturday mornings at the coffee shop around the corner. Last time, she forgot her card. I paid for her latte and muffin: $6.50. That night, I sent her a Venmo request, with a little muffin emoji in the note to keep it light. I do that with everyone: I’m organized, and small amounts add up. She paid within a minute, but she texted me: “Seriously?” Then she reminded me that the month before, she’d paid my parking, $15, without asking for anything back. I had completely forgotten. I told her she should have just requested it.
Their side
My friend explains that between friends, small amounts go back and forth and nobody keeps a ledger. She never thought of asking for the parking money, because to her, that’s part of friendship. Getting a $6.50 request that same night made her feel like a customer rather than a friend.
So, who's wrong?
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