[quote name='JTUK' post='1369329' date='Sep 11 2011, 12:43 PM']Know the player and the circumstances...
In your shoes, the very least is the borrower should be told to call you and have the chat..!![/quote]
This! He's the one on the cadge so it's just polite to ask in person rather than get some third party to ask on your behalf. Where's his own gear? There may be a perfectly logical reason why he would rather use yours, but surely it's better for him to explain this to you in person?
Bad manners in all forms irritates me - so for that reason in these circumstances I might well say no... but if he asked nicely and promised to take care, I could be persuaded to accept.
Problem is, I never see myself in the position of needing to use anyone else's gear - so unless there is a sound reason I don't see why I should be expected to lend mine out.