Honor in Small Things
My neighbor borrowed my tools six months ago and hasn't returned them. It's bothering me more than it probably should, but here's the thing: it's not really about the tools. It's about his word. He said he'd return them in a week. That's a breach of honor, even if it seems small. I finally asked him about it and he got all defensive. Guys, we have to do better. We have to be the kind of men who follow through on every commitment, no matter how small. If you tell someone you'll do something, you do it. That's the gentleman's code.
That'd drive me nuts too. Six months is a long time to just not bring them back. Maybe frame it casual like 'Need those for a project this weekend?' and give him an easy out to return them.