My girlfriend of 4 years is out of town for a week. My sister is our housekeeper and we pay her 50.00 dollars every week to clean house. She broke my girlfriends beveled glass top coffee table by accident. She said she would replace it and she did, but the glass top wasn't beveled like the original, instead it was a plain piece of glass. She e-mailed me and said beveled would cost 350.00 dollars so if my girlfriend and I didn't like the plain glass that she would just buy us a new coffee table. The problem is that first, the coffee table isn't mine it's my girlfriend's. Two-my girlfriend was picky about the coffee table anyway and three I believe the coffee table cost more than 350.00 dollars! And my sister is like suggesting that if I think it's fine then it should be fine with my girlfriend! It's really not my decision to make because it's not my coffee table. I don't want my sister and girlfriend to get mad at each other. What do i do?
2007-05-29 20:24:56 · 8 answers · asked by CLINTON H 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
What would you do if it was NOT your sister, but a hired cleaner you don't know?
Actually, I feel for your sister because I have worked a a cleaner and it is terrible when you break something.
If you and your gf don't have household insurance, unfortunately I think your sister will have to replace the coffee table to the standard your gf requires.
However, as it was a mistake and your sister has tried to make restitutiotn your gf might agree to meet her halfway with the cost, although in truth she is not obliged to do so.
As mature adults, they should be able to work this out.
Good luck! :-)
2007-05-29 20:39:48 · answer #1 · answered by thing55000 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Communication.
If your GF is so bent over the coffee table that the relationship is trashed, do you really want to be with someone who values a coffee table over you?
Tell her what happened. If she wants the beveled glass top, then get the beveled glass top. You're saving enough in housekeeping that it shouldn't be a problem. Or tell sis that you're just going to have to take a break from the housekeeping for 7 weeks to pay for the glass top.
Get it fixed up and don't sweat it. And if there's need to sweat it, is she really the one you want to be with?
2007-05-30 03:36:17 · answer #2 · answered by JoeB 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get dialing and start calling furniture stores and glass stores.... Maybe you can get it back before your g/f comes back If you can't tell your g/f the truth.... It WAS an accident... she should understand and she should be glad that your sister or anybody was hurt when it broke. TAKE THE BLAME FOR IT, that way your g/f won't have anything against your sister.... Did your sister break it when she was cleaning your house? Maybe your sis could work for you guys for a couple of weeks and re-pay for the broken glass. When your g/f comes back buy her some flowers and/or take her out some where nice and then tell her about the table.... :) do you have any pets? You could blame the pet hehehe..... GOOD LUCK!
2007-05-30 03:33:36 · answer #3 · answered by ♥ miss_colombiana ♥ 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't let them get into a fight about this. Your sister was at fault when she broke the glass. In a court of law, she would be required to pay for all damages. I know she's your sister, and she might be upset, but she needs to pay the whole amount of the value of the table... even if it's more than 350.00 like you say.
2007-05-30 03:38:45 · answer #4 · answered by MoMoney23 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Tell her the truth in advance. If she values a coffee table more than her beloved man (w/c i hope the answer is no) then break up (ow!). If she doesn't get mad, give her a gift or treat her to a romantic home-made candle lit dinner (or anything as long as she likes it) when she comes.
Browse for anonther coffee table with your girlfriend and agree with your sister to split the payment for the new table. Try to make the replacement cheaper just in case. Goodluck with your predicament!
2007-05-30 06:20:00 · answer #5 · answered by Coin 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's a coffee table. It was made out of glass.
Things break.
Your girlfriend should find a way to live with the fact that things break.
It wasn't broken on purpose, it wasn't broken because your sister hates her, it just broke.
Things sometimes break. Not all the things that we aquire when we're 20 make it with us till we're 75.
You should realise that it is not a matter of life or death, but an accident and a coffeetable didn't make it.
When you realise this this, you should make sure your girlfriend gets it too.
Life will go on, somehow. You'll just have to live day by day.
2007-05-30 06:46:26 · answer #6 · answered by mgerben 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Wow, if your sister is working for you for $50 a week.....and she accidentally broke the table...and she tried to replace it .......why don't you meet her half way...after all she is family and sounds like she is trying to do what is right.... and if you and your girl are serious it's time to find out what family means to her...if it were my sister....I'd be happy with the plain glass...
2007-05-30 04:52:31 · answer #7 · answered by G-ma 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Don't you or your girl friend have house and contents insurance if not you are negligent in making someone pay for an accident just tell your girl friend what happened and put up with the whinging~~
2007-05-30 03:39:57 · answer #8 · answered by burning brightly 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋