Originally posted by: swbsam
Originally posted by: rgwalt
Originally posted by: swbsam
Originally posted by: Crono
Originally posted by: swbsam
Originally posted by: Crono
If you are going to play host and lodge them, then it's your responsibility to be as good a host as possible, even if you have to go out of your way.
If it really is that desperate a situation that you can't adequately provide for them, then don't have them stay at your place.
Are you asian?
I'm Indian, so technically yes
No, I just think that the host<->guest relationship should be a very positive one, and whichever role you find yourself in, you should do your very best to do what's honorable and right even if you have to sacrifice a little.
It's not really an Asian concept, btw, it extends across many cultures but is often forgotten in modern societies.
I asked because I'm indian, and your mentality is my mom's.. She would blow a grand on a week visit from some distant cousin. I think that's why I'm freaking out!
I think the guest<->host relationship is skewed for me, since there will rarely be a.. karmic balance. I doubt I'll EVER visit them in the midwest and, as New Yorkers, I sure as hell will have more friends of friends who want to crash here.. So it'll always be me being hospitable and me never getting any of that hospitality returned. That's a crude way of putting it, but that's why living in desirable locations is a mixed blessing
I have a friend who lives in downtown Chicago. She is always playing host to guests from out of town and has started basically saying "This is what I have to eat. You are welcome to join me, go out, or buy your own". In fact, she has started turning guests down who want to go out to eat every night simply due to the cost. When I go to visit for a weekend, I will take her to dinner one night, buy some beer for the fridge, and otherwise drink water, eat cereal, or go out. If I run her out of something, I walk the two blocks to the grocery and replace it. But, that is the kind of guest I am... I figure she is doing me a solid by saving me $$$ on a hotel.
If it were just me, I wouldn't go out of your way for these guests to have something to "munch on". I would probably try to plan 2 or 3 dinners to cook in with your guests. Plan some meals that they will enjoy, but will also fit into your diet. I would let them know that they are free to eat what is in the house, and then casually recommend the neighborhood grocery for anything they might need otherwise. Two people for six days is a lot of time. In all honesty, if I were in their shoes I would hesitate to ask for that kind of favor. That is a pretty significant imposition.
Your friend's situation is similar to what it's like for me right now - guests at least every 6 weeks. Yeah, we've had about a dozen guests since last christmas. It's all been family, but in all honesty, the more extended family is here to see NYC and not us. I don't whine about family, but this was a case of people I don't even know (and one my wife doesn't even know) mooching. Honestly, I don't like guests. Even family - call me anti-social, but I'd rather seem them once a year at family get togethers, but that's a battle I won't win so I try not to be a stick in the mud.
The last time a cousin of my wife's visited he set the course of the trip (let's go here! let's eat here!) and we footed the bill.. Which SUCKED because he wanted trendy restaurants, not Boston Market. I didn't complain, being family...
But, yeah, we'll get some snacks just so we have something around the house when they get here (at night)... I don't really mind that as a compromise, I'm just tired of paying for people's vacations when they're really here to experience the wonder and joy that is NYC, not to honor me with their company.