Ever lent something out only to get it back looking like it survived a demolition derby? That’s exactly what happened to one Redditor who let their neighbor borrow a few IKEA folding chairs for a child’s birthday bash. But instead of a thank-you, they got a stack of twisted metal and cracked plastic—and zero accountability.
What started as a simple favor spiraled into a neighborhood feud, complete with finger-pointing, snarky comebacks, and a $15-per-chair compensation demand. Was the Redditor wrong to ask for cash, or was this a textbook case of “you break it, you buy it”? Let’s unpack the drama, the ethics, and the scorching Reddit takes that followed. 
This Redditor’s tale is a wild backyard brawl—hold onto your lawn chairs!
According to the post, the Redditor had previously lent some IKEA folding chairs to a mutual friend for a party, and they returned in great condition.
So when their neighbor Barb wanted to use them for her daughter’s birthday bash, the Redditor said sure—but made it clear to borrow through that same mutual friend, not directly.
Instead, Barb helped herself while the Redditor was out of town and later returned the chairs “visibly damaged”—four of them bent or creased beyond use.
When called out, Barb and her husband didn’t apologize. Instead, they blamed the chairs themselves, saying they were “cheap” and suggesting the damage wasn’t their fault.
The Redditor, understandably annoyed, asked for $15 per chair in compensation, which set off an exchange where Barb’s husband insisted the chairs were junk to begin with.
That’s when the Redditor made the infamous remark about “normal-sized people” not having issues—an obvious reference to the couple’s weight, which made an already tense situation explode.
Expert Opinion
Talk about a neighborly favor folding faster than a cheap chair! This Redditor thought they were doing a solid by lending out their chairs, only to find their generosity used and abused. And the fact that Barb took the chairs without asking adds a whole new layer of audacity to the story.
The irritation is real. Setting rules for borrowing is one thing—but having them blatantly ignored is another. Barb’s excuse that the mutual friend “said it was okay” is just a deflection. It’s also clear the Redditor’s chairs weren’t falling apart before the party, since they’d survived years of regular use.
It seems likely that the guests at the party—perhaps heavier than the chairs were rated for—pushed them beyond their limit. But instead of offering an apology or replacement, Barb and her husband doubled down with insults.
Was $15 per chair a fair ask? Absolutely. That’s not just about money—it’s about acknowledging damage and taking responsibility. The Redditor’s sarcastic “normal people” comment, though, definitely crossed a line.
Dr. Susan Krauss Whitbourne, psychology professor at UMass Amherst, says:
“Respecting others’ property is a cornerstone of trust in relationships” (Psychology Today, 2020).
That goes both ways: if someone breaks your stuff, they should offer to fix it—but if you want to preserve peace, personal attacks don’t help.
A 2022 study in Social Psychology Quarterly found that nearly 45% of neighbor disputes start with miscommunications about boundaries or shared resources. This case is textbook. Clear expectations were set, but Barb chose to ignore them.
The Redditor’s only misstep? Letting frustration turn into a cutting comment. If they want to avoid more drama in the cul-de-sac, a little more chill—and maybe some chair insurance—would go a long way.
Many redditors agreed the poster was NTA, pointing out the friend took the chairs without asking, damaged them, and got defensive instead of apologizing.
Some commenters agreed the original poster wasn’t the problem. Barb lied to borrow the chairs without permission, then broke them and tried to dodge responsibility.
Others mostly agreed the original poster wasn’t at fault—Barb lied, broke the chairs, and didn’t offer to replace them.
Are these comments pure wisdom or just Reddit’s peanut gallery tossing shade? You tell us!
What started as a neighborly favor ended up folding under pressure—literally and figuratively. The Redditor’s bent chairs became the symbol of broken trust, and their $15-per-chair demand wasn’t just about furniture, it was about standing up for personal boundaries.
Barb’s brush-off and refusal to own the damage made things worse, but the Redditor’s stinging remark might’ve torched any chance of reconciliation.
In the end, it’s not just about the chairs—it’s about how we handle conflict, communication, and common decency. If this story teaches us anything, it’s to set firm boundaries, document your loans (even the plastic ones), and maybe keep the folding chairs under lock and key.
How would you handle a neighbor who thinks your property is theirs to ruin? Sound off in the comments—just maybe don’t bring up body size while you’re at it.
