Out came a thought and then another...

That was a very useful link.

Yeah! Vimal - long time no see! where have you vanished to?

You can edit/modify the application too! And build your own! Just any database, not just books. And I shall remember the deal :)

Krithika - yeah, it is a deal :) did I get the spelling of your name wrong? Is it a 'k' or a 'g'? I remember seeing a spelling with 'g' somewhere in your blog.

In a galaxy far, far away...

That's alright, I use them both interchanegably. Feel free to use 'k' or 'g'.

Isn't it reasonable to assume that one would lend a book only if he / she trusts the borrower? Why should one lend a book if we don't trust the borrower?

Is it a case where we trust the borrower initially and then change our opinions?

@Kaps: I think trusting takes on a different connotation in this context. Let us say I lend a book to a friend A. Obviously A is my friend and therefore I trust her. Now A borrowes my book and I don't get it back for ages. I keep following up and A finally admits that she cannot remember where she left it.

As far as A is concerned, it is just a book and therefore not such a big deal. As far as I am concerned, it is a book that I probably spent ages hunting down and associate special memories to. Since I recommended the book to her, chances are I keep rereading the book. Therefore this book and A losing it is one BIG deal to me.

So while I can probably trust A with my secrets and my life, will I trust her with my book the next time? Fat chance :)

"Is it a case where we trust the borrower initially and then change our opinions?"

Yes. I usually don't say no when people borrow books from me for the first time. The second time onwards, it depends on how long the concerned person had the book, the condition it was returned et al.

Oh, I forgot what I came here for. I would like the "long uninteresting account" of Sambhar.

krithiga[dot]ganesan[at]gmail[dot]com

@Kaps & Krithika: I agree with Krithika. I usually do not say no to someone borrowing my book the first time. But any repeat borrowing happens only on the rating that the first one gets.

@Krithika: Yes indeed - you shall hear soon and in all likelihood, you will be wondering why you ever asked :)