If someone you were very close with asked you for a nominal amount of money ($200-$500) with the intention of paying you back in a few weeks, how would you react?

Edit: Thanks so much for all of the discussion and points raised so far, it’s been an eye opener.

To those asking, it isn’t that significant of an amount of money to me but I was taught that the best thing I could do would be to give them the proper advice so that they can help themselves again in the future. Similar to the whole, “give a man a fish and he eats for a night. Teach a man to fish and he eats for the rest of his life,” type advice.

I’m always happy to help with budgeting or advice about loans or LoC’s but after this thread I realize I may need to adjust my approach. I will be providing this friend with the funds and making it clear that paying me back is not expected, so as to not jeopardize our relationship.