How do I ask for something back nicely.. I let a friend borrow one of my cake books and I would really like to have it back... I don't want to come across of mean.. She's had it for over a month she could have copied the pages if she needed it longer than that or at least acknowledge that she still needs the book.

Thanks

I would ask her if she is about done looking at it and tell her you need it back by whatever date so you can use it as a reference for making an upcoming cake. Maybe you could get her a copy as a gift.

The next time you talk with her, just ease it into the conversation that you will be stopping by on such and such day to pick up the book because you need it .

Steal her car...when she calls the cops, tell them..."Well, she has my cake book and I want it back." Then negotiate a trade like it's a hostage exchange. Tell them you'll need a helicopter and 19.95 in untraceable bills.

Maybe you could say something to her like, "has that book been of any use for you?"

She may not catch on, but there's a good chance that she may have totally forgotten about it, and bringing it up in conversation might make her think, "oh yeah, I need to get that back to her".

Or, if you want to be less subtle, just ask her for it back as you'll be needing it shortly. There's nothing wrong with just coming out and asking for it either.

I would just ask for it back. You were nice enough to lend it to her, and it has been a month... Time enough for her to go through it and copy whatever she needs.

I was in a similar situation once, a friend borrowed my precious PME Plunger cutters. ( I live in India, and equipment is just not available)

I know she was using them, and two months later, when I decided to stop being "Nice" I asked for them back.

She had the audacity to say "Oh... You want them back? Why would you, you don't do cakes professionally!"

Lesson learnt, she never got to borrow anything from me again.

Karen

I would just say that you needed a recipe out of there for thanksgiving or christmas and that if she was done looking at it, you needed it back and once your done if she needs it again she can borrow it except when she asks say you miss placed it when you find it you will let her borrow it