My heart sank when this happened...

[IainBusby]

All the posts are helping me - thanks.
English Rose - sadly I don't seem to have messaging yet.
IainBusby - I can't bring myself to say how much but not a big sum. I can afford it.
TomThumb - Gee - a lot of wisdom there in one post. I have done it. It made it a gift, not a loan. We will see where we go from here. My instincts now are to tell her exactly how I feel about her request and that I am now wary. If it turns sour and the friendship ends I will still not regret it because I am sure that the money is going where it is needed. I can live with someone briefly taking advantage of me if that is/was the case here.

It would be better not to use words such as wary, just let her know in no uncertain terms that you are definately not in the habit of doing this sort of thing.

[South-east boy]

It would be better not to use words such as wary, just let her know in no uncertain terms that you are definately not in the habit of doing this sort of thing.

I agree with this.

[English Rose]

It would be better not to use words such as wary, just let her know in no uncertain terms that you are definately not in the habit of doing this sort of thing.

I agree, you have to set your boundaries pretty early on and stick to it. Filipinos are such charming, gentle people you find yourself handing out the cash before you've realised it.

[Arthur Little]

There's no harm, I suppose, in lending the woman a small amount to "tide her over" until next pay day... if, as you say, you can afford it! But MY fear is that this might be just the start, and the requests would continue. And you certainly don't want to run the risk of ending up in 'Queer Street' yourself, as a possible consequence.