He allegedly agreed not only to pet sit, but also to take them to the airport. But on the morning of her flight, her lover was unreachable. Worse still, he didn’t show up. She missed her flight, but she saved the flight. After taking her leave, she took him to court, which is “quicker, cheaper and less formal than court,” her website says.
You can use the court to settle claims as small as $30,000 related to issues such as car or bike accidents, hating your neighbor’s fence or chasing debt. There are no lawyers or judges. Instead, the parties attend the hearings and a so-called “arbiter” helps the parties settle disputes, or the arbitrator settles disputes for them. The result is legally binding.
The woman sought compensation for financial losses incurred by her boyfriend who violated their contract. She had to pay for another flight, as well as an airport shuttle and a dog kennel. Another insult: He never reimbursed her for the ferry ticket for another vacation, and she wanted that reimbursement, too.
The order was issued recently, According to NBC NewsHe did not reveal the names of either party or when the failed airport trip took place. The court concluded its findings in March. The referee, identified in the order as “Ms Cowie DTR”, rejected that claim.
“There are many examples of friends letting their friend down, but the courts have confirmed that it is an irrecoverable loss unless the promise goes beyond being known among friends and becomes a promise they intend to keep.” books.
For an agreement to be “enforceable,” there must be evidence of “intent to create a legally binding relationship.”
The airport trip affair doesn’t seem to have that, just the basic promises you find in a typical romantic relationship.
What would happen in an American court?
The ghostly woman is unlikely to have a case in the United States either, said attorney Steven Krieger, who runs a civil litigation firm in Arlington, Virginia.
“In my opinion, this is just an unenforceable promise – and probably not good for the relationship… but I don’t think she can win in court to get financial compensation,” he said.
Krieger said the key missing element in her case is a legal concept called “consideration,” meaning both sides get something of value from the arrangement.
While the woman claimed her boyfriend enjoyed staying at her home in the past, she did not make a deal with him based on his prior or desired use of her home. It was not a contract to perform a service (watching her dogs and taking them to the airport) or compensation (the use of her house), but a promise that he would help her out of her predicament.
“In general, promises without anything else are not enforceable,” Krieger said.
Maybe it wasn’t a simple matter deserving of charges, it was a crime against etiquette.
“She’s been standing there smiling expectantly for 5, 10, 15, 20 minutes, an hour, and she still doesn’t have a boyfriend… and that’s absolutely unacceptable,” said Thomas P. Farley, aka etiquette expert. Master of morals.
Who should you take to the airport?
Farley says etiquette doesn’t dictate that He should Take your romantic partner to the airport or keep an eye on their pets, but ghosting is never the answer.
“If there was, for example, a work commitment that he couldn’t get out of and had to beg to pick her up from the airport, I would definitely tell her,” he said.
Nick Layton, two-time Emmy Award-winning talk show host and co-host of the podcast “Were you raised by wolves?“Agreed.
“From an etiquette perspective, we want to respect our obligations,” he said. “And when we need to break a commitment, good etiquette is that we let the person know as soon as possible, apologize profusely for all the inconvenience we will cause, and try to make up for it if possible.”
While Farley called the entire situation — from the initial shadows to the case going to court — “ridiculous,” he said it points to a larger question: Who deserves a ride to the airport?
“No one deserves anything,” Layton said, but taking someone to the airport is “the ultimate kindness.”
Farley says it depends on the size of the airport and your relationship with the person riding shotgun. Is he a friend or an acquaintance?
“If you have a car and your airport is small enough… I think it’s a really nice gesture,” he said.
For parents, grandparents or people who need help with technology or mobility, you should take them or arrange a trip for them.
What about loved ones who land at a large, chaotic urban airport and have full power to hail taxis or arrange Uber services? “I think it’s a really nice and romantic gesture, but does etiquette dictate that? No,” Farley said.
Layton added: If you’re not in a position to take someone to the airport, or don’t want to, just say no in the first place.
“The idea of setting boundaries and behaving politely is completely compatible,” he said. “Etiquette does not require you to say yes to everything.”
To avoid some heartache, find a romantic partner who shares your belief on this issue.
“If you need an airport hookup…you need to find someone who fits your style,” Layton said.
“Infuriatingly humble alcohol fanatic. Unapologetic beer practitioner. Analyst.”
