Borrowing Office Supplies from Colleagues
Learn polite ways to ask colleagues for office supplies and offer to return or replace items
Situations
Choose from 6 conversations to practice
Realizing You're Out of Supplies
A colleague discovers they've run out of a crucial office supply (e.g., a pen, stapler, sticky notes) right when they need it for a task.
Initially Requesting a Common Item
A colleague politely asks another for a common and inexpensive office supply that they can easily lend, like a pen or a piece of paper.
Borrowing a Less Common/Specific Item
A colleague needs a less common or more specific office tool (e.g., a hole punch, a label maker, a specific type of marker) and approaches a colleague they know might have it.
Offering to Return/Replace
After borrowing an item, the borrower proactively offers to return it promptly or replace it if it's something consumable.
The Borrower Forgets to Return
The lender gently reminds the borrower about an office supply that was borrowed previously and hasn't been returned yet.
Returning the Item with Thanks
The borrower returns the borrowed office supply (or a replacement) to the lender, expressing their gratitude.