My friend keeps finishing my water!
So here’s the deal: my friend and I chat a lot during fourth period (art class), and every time, he ends up guzzling half of my water bottle. It starts off around 3/4 full, and by the time he’s done, it’s down to 2/4 or even 1/4. My mom doesn’t want him drinking from my bottle because she thinks it’s gross. I’ve told him to cut it out, but he just won’t listen! If there’s any water left, he’ll down the rest during sixth period too. He does this to my other friends as well, so I really need some advice! (By the way, I’ve resorted to hiding my water bottle from him.)
It sounds like you’re in a bit of a tricky situation! It’s definitely frustrating when someone takes advantage of your generosity, especially if it’s making you uncomfortable. Here are a few suggestions on how to handle it:
Communicate Directly: Have a private conversation with him about how you feel. Let him know that you appreciate him as a friend, but you really need your water for yourself. Sometimes people don’t realize how their actions affect others.
Set Boundaries: If he continues to drink your water despite you asking him not to, it might be time to set some firm boundaries. You could say something like, “I really need my water for myself, so I can’t share it anymore.”
Use a Different Bottle: Since you’ve been hiding your water bottle, consider getting a different bottle that’s less appealing to him. This might deter him from drinking from it.
Bring Extra Water: If it’s feasible, bring extra water for yourself, so you can still have enough even if he drinks some.
Involve Others: If he’s doing this to other friends as well, maybe you can talk to them and come together to address the issue as a group.
It’s important to stand up for yourself while also trying to maintain your friendship. Hopefully, he’ll understand once you talk to him! Good luck!