What started as a simple act of kindness between friends has slowly turned into a quiet source of frustration.
For one intern, giving a daily lift to a colleague seemed like no big deal at first. After all, they were heading to the same workplace, travelling nearly 48 kilometres round-trip, five days a week. However, over time, the imbalance became hard to ignore.
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The RM10 weekly petrol contribution
Fuel costs add up, especially for a 1.3L car that isn’t exactly fuel-efficient. Yet, instead of sharing the burden fairly, the passenger consistently contributes only RM10 per week, an amount that barely scratches the surface of the actual expense. What makes the situation more awkward is how the transaction takes place.
The money is transferred without any prior discussion, effectively cutting off any opportunity to agree on a fair split.
This pattern doesn’t stop there. According to a viral Threads post, the same friend also frequently joins another car for short trips to get food, contributing just RM5 per week on the grounds that it is “only for meals.”
While these may seem like small amounts, the principle behind them matters more. When someone benefits daily from another person’s time, effort, and resources, fairness shouldn’t be an afterthought.
For illustration purposes only
Malaysians call out the lack of consideration
Across the responses, the common theme is the importance of fairness and boundaries in shared arrangements. Many feel that underpaying in situations like this demonstrates a distinct lack of consideration.
Netizens suggested that clear communication, such as agreeing on a fixed contribution upfront, is essential to prevent misunderstandings.
At the same time, commenters emphasised that it is perfectly acceptable to prioritise your own resources and not feel obligated to help if the other party isn’t reciprocating fairly. Being kind does not mean tolerating an imbalance; sometimes, maintaining respect in a relationship requires being direct and consistent about expectations.
A simple conversation can go a long way. Agreeing on a reasonable contribution, perhaps by splitting fuel costs or setting a consistent weekly amount, creates clarity and avoids resentment.
Also read: “She became cold” – Man Tells Woman He Took E-Hailing Ride to KLCC Date, Gets Rejected Later
