4 Commandments of Borrowing a Phone

We get hit by a wave of panic when someone borrows our phone. No matter who the borrower is – from best friends to parents – we aren't able to trust them with our phones. Borrowing phones can save us from many troubles, so why not respect our saviours?

1) YOU SHALL NOT PASS
I just got my phone back and it shows "Try again in 30 seconds"; I instantly know the person was up to something devious. The reason my unlock pattern requires the adept finesse of a skilled tailor is because my entire life is on that device – social media accounts, bank accounts and emails. If you want access to that stuff, I'd suggest you provide me with a security deposit, a non-disclosure agreement and a vial of blood. Or maybe you could have it unlocked by the owner. Saves you from the embarrassment when s/he notices that you were trying to have a peek.

2) IT'S NOT YOUR MONEY
I recharged Tk 20 and my friend uses my phone to call another friend. S/he chats happily and surprises me when returning the phone, "Sorry, mate. I didn't realise the phone would run out of credit."
Thanks. I refill my phone balance for you so that I run on emergency balance.
Asking the person on the other end to call back is the least we can do to not seem like a leech.
    
3) DON'T BE A WONDER WO/MAN
It's not always the family dawats when seconds feel like hours. Our hearts start racing the moment our phones are in others' hands; after all, these little devices hold our deepest and darkest secrets. Our friends constantly send us screenshots and snapchats. The gallery has 30 almost-similar selfies which were taken by the owner in an attempt to Instagram one. In few, they even look like intoxicated ducks. Had any of these been meant to be shown to others, theywould have been uploaded to Facebook.
Besides, finding out your contact name in my phone as "Creepy guy from class" or that your message was seen isn't what you expect when you decide to dig the chamber of secrets.
Of course I saw your message, I replied to it in my mind.

4) OOPS IT WASN'T ME
Well, we all have been there when it was only us and someone else's phone. As tempting as it is to change our friend's account name to Batman Returns, dropping their numbers in public groups is no joke. Once when a friend asked me for money over Facebook, I was so freaked out that I and many others immediately reported that account. 
No, we couldn't reach her then because she wasn't near her own phone. Duh!
The next time you borrow a phone, remember the chain reaction of karma can haunt us for eternity. 

Myat Moe is an occasional philosopher whose favourite pastime is confusing people with
her nationality. Reach her at 145michelle@gmail.com