Handling the cost of having visitors... - Page 2

Zhills · ‎11-15-2011

FYI..."Everybody you know is your friend and would love to visit once you move to Florida...or NC!

Zhills · ‎11-15-2011

"Fish and Visitors smell in 3 days!"

house_cat · ‎03-09-2010

Ha! Ain't that the truth! It wasn't any better when I lived in the Los Angeles area, but I had a heck of a lot more money then. Also I had a regular full time job and people seemed to respect that more than my substitute teaching job.

~ house cat ~

on the bay · ‎03-09-2010

@house_cat,

As much as you like having guests, when it becomes a hardship, you probably being human feel some resentment either with them for being so clueless or yourself for not being able to have some boundaries., and not being able to say no.

It's ok to say how about the 4th- 7th or whatever dates that are a smaller window and let them know that you have to work and would like to be able to spend time with them.

My bil always says the fish rule-

"guests like fish begin to smell after 3 days."

I don't like that analogy but I think it's kinda true!

It is a lot of work to have guests and can get very expensive with food, electricity, driving places etc and missing days of work.

Do you live near a beach or lake or they just love you and want to get away? You seem like a very sweet and kind person.

Hey I've got some time coming up-I'll be over too and get those other guests to go home lol!

"If you walk the footsteps of a stranger, you'll learn things you never knew. Can you sing with all the voices of the mountains? can you paint with all the colors of the wind?"

Zhills · ‎11-15-2011

@house_cat wrote:
@Zhills

Ha! Ain't that the truth! It wasn't any better when I lived in the Los Angeles area, but I had a heck of a lot more money then. Also I had a regular full time job and people seemed to respect that more than my substitute teaching job.

LA is a nice resort area also!

rockygems123 · ‎06-04-2012

@house_cat

Some of my visitors have been generous, others have not and their income level is no barometer of how they pitch in, it's their personality.

One couple insisted I drive them around for several days and them not a rent a car. It took a long time each visit to convince them that since I run my own business I can't be free all day every day.

Finally had to cut them off completely, it wasn't sinking in that they needed to participate financially on their many visits. Also my local friends said they would not talk to me again if I let them continue to take advantage lol.

They were kidding of course but I appreciated the support.

Kachina624 · ‎03-10-2010

@house_cat. Theres nothing wrong or disgraceful about being honest with your visitors and explaining that, like most retirees, your income has been reduced and you depend on your teaching jobs. Then go do it and let the guests either entertain themselves or plan to come in the summer when school's out.

As long as you volunteer to bear the entire expense, they have no way of knowing you can't really afford it. You need to make it clear that there are fees involved, ask if they are willing to pay X dollars. If not, do something else.

Frankly, your friends are rather inconsiderate. My guests bend over backwards to pay their own expenses and insist on chipping in for gas. You've become their expense-free vacation. They can take advantage of you only if you let them.

New Mexico☀️Land Of Enchantment