I'll give you petrol money

A phrase that every driver at some point will hear is "I'll give you money for petrol." Or at least something similiar. These offers usually come from friends or family that don't drive and are asking you to take them somewhere. Usually they would offer up a somewhat modest sum, which, depending on the drivers character, is more that often declined and the 'lift' is offered with no charge. Occasionally though it doesn't quite work like that...

Let's first start with the friend who has no concept of the price of fuel, this can either go well for the driver, if they are of a low moral standing at least, when the friend offer a substantial amount of money for a short journey that would cost much less if they called a taxi. At the other end of the scale is the friend who has no concept of the price of fuel and so offers next to nothing for your trouble. This is generally because they don't understand how much it actually costs to run a vehicle or more likely they are just tight with their money.

So, I think there should be a bit of generalisation, for example, if you invite yourself or are asked to go somewhere then usually no money should change hands, the journey was being made anyway, the extra weight in the vehicle will cause the engine to use more fuel, but not a substational amount. The same applies if you invite a friend to go with you somewhere, such as the cinema or out for a meal, the usual inclination is that you would then pay for snacks or buy a drink or similar. The only real time money should change hands is if the trip benefits you.