I'm having some guests over because every time they come in town they pay to stay at a motel. I suggested they stay over so they don't have to spend money on lodging. My husband and I, however, do not wish to provide them with food as well (they'll be staying for 2 days and we're living on only one salary). what is the best way to tell them that we don't want them eatting our food without offending them?
2006-07-13 14:18:53 · 19 answers · asked by chapped lips 5 in Dining Out ➔ United States ➔ New York City
i don't know if we phrased the question right. we are doing them a favor by letting the 2 guests use our extra room. we are doing them a favor in that they would not have to pay for the hotel accomodiations. they are not coming to visit us per say. they are dating each other and they live far away. so i suggested, that if they want to save money on the hotel, they can use our room to do whatever they would normally do at a hotel. but we are not inviting them over for our benefit. sure we'll hang out and stuff, but we may not. my husbant and i might just go out on their own. so that's why i'm asking if i'm required to provide them food with the room, or can i just offer them the room. thanks you guys. we're not trying to be cheap, but we can't pay for food for 4 people.
2006-07-13 14:56:24 · update #1
You kinda can't. If you open your home to them, you also open your fridge. Hopefully, they'll volunteer to foot some of the food bill.
2006-07-13 14:20:57 · answer #1 · answered by zippythejessi 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Being the couple lives far away from each other, I think they will be eating out there stay. I know I wouldn't expect someone that was already gracious enough to let me stay at there home, to serve me food as well. There is no way that you can tell them hey you cant eat my food without offending them. I think that they'll probably be in the bedroom for most of there stay haha but if you hear one of them make a comment like I'm hungry or whatever, say.... such-n-such has the best pizza y'all should go there! that doesn't sound rude at all and your kinda letting it be known, like an unspoken rule. When they stay at a hotel they do not get food there, so they shouldn't expect it at your house either.
2006-07-14 00:01:36 · answer #2 · answered by lost_carolina 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Wait a second. You dont have to provide them food just because you are lending them a room. You dont automatically get food when you stay at a hotel, do you? No. You can let them know ahead of time (in a funny kind of lighthearted way) that you dont do much cooking or that you wont be doing any cooking during this time because.... or like another answer suggested, just eat out alot. If they are nice people they will likely not expect you to provide meals. If they do expect it, then they may need a manner wake-up call. Another thing you could do to kind of go halfsies in a nice way - Keep some danishes, cereals and fruits around and tell them they wont have to worry with breakfasts but that you really wont be able to be relied upon for lunch and dinner. I hope this helps. This is what I would do and I dont like to make people uncomfortable - so i think you can trust me.
2006-07-13 23:10:20 · answer #3 · answered by Sweetpea Barbie 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't feel some of the other folks that answered understand that they are sleeping at your place not actually visiting you. How about saying to them when they arrive, " I am sorry that all I can offer you is a room to sleep at this time in our lives". I would have only some things like English muffins or bagels on hand for breakfast but that should be enough to get them on there way in the morning. If they were staying at a hotel they wouldn't have the benefit of a stocked refrig. If they have any manners at all they will invite you and your husband out to dinner and pick up the tab for you giving them a (free) place to sleep.
2006-07-13 22:42:41 · answer #4 · answered by Koko 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Are you telling me that you are concerned that your guests are going to eat your food when you say you live in New York City!? Anytime I've had guests in the city I've always ended up with more food than I ever wanted because they've wanted to eat out (why not!?) and brought home tons of leftovers. Offer them coffee, and the basic snacks, tea, drinks, etc, and get over it if they do have a bite or two - you did invite them to stay with you, and it is for only 2 days, and despite the financial situation it would be rude to tell them, sorry, you can't eat anything while you are here! Tell them about all of your favorite restaurants,and cuisines they HAVE to try, and they only have 2 days to try them all! And if they're smart, they will. Good luck!
2006-07-13 23:21:15 · answer #5 · answered by SusieQ 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It will be hard, I'm not going to lie, most people who are looking to save money by not staying at a hotel would also be willing to eat your food. Not to say they mean to, but most people feel this way. This may sound crazy, but perhaps the easiest way to aviod them eating to much of your food is to not have much food. Wait to go grocery shopping and tell them you don't have much selection and were unable to make it to the store. If this will not work simply tell them that you couldn't stock up on food because money is tight and offer them the location of the nearest market. I'm sure if they will understand if you can't afford to feed them and most people enjoy going out to eat when they are traveling. Hopefully they will take the money they would spend on a hotel and spend some on food(though I would imagine they spend money on eating out when in the hotel also)! Good luck!
2006-07-13 22:23:52 · answer #6 · answered by ekaty84 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You did not open your home to your friends as a hotel. What I'm hearing is it's more a favor than an invite to spend a planned weekend together as couples with shared meals and activities. It sounds like they want to get there and get it on. I agree with the person who said that it might be a nice gesture to have a breakfast bread (english muffins, toast or bagels) available, which are inexpensive, and coffee or tea if you drink it yourself, to share, but more than that should not be expected.
2006-07-13 23:17:26 · answer #7 · answered by Pushy Buttafly 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You've certainly gotten yourself stuck between a rock and a hard place.
You can't invite people to stay at your place and not feed them. Especially if they'll be staying with you for 2 days.
Maybe the best thing would be to find the least expensive accommodation for them close by, and tell them you're really sorry but something came up and you won't be able to have them stay over.......
I know I would rather have something like that, then to be told that I had to fend for myself for food if I wasn't expecting it.
2006-07-13 21:24:45 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is a very hard situation.
You might want to make sure you have an empty fridge and / or cupboards before they come and you and your husband eat out during their stay..
They will get the point without you having to say anything to offend them, I'm sure they will be happy to join you for dinners out and will not hesitate to even pay for your meals..
2006-07-13 21:22:26 · answer #9 · answered by The Chesire Cat 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I can't imagine inviting someone to stay with me then saying - oh by the way, the kitchen's off limit. You'll have to fend for yourself. I think you should have left well enough alone and let them stay at a hotel if you cannot afford to give them your full hospitality.
2006-07-13 21:24:45 · answer #10 · answered by LeAnne 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think you really can say it any way without offending them. You can suggest eating out and splitting the tab both ways. And depending on who they our - and why they are visiting they might offer to buy dinner 1 night - that is the most common scenario. Good Luck.
2006-07-13 21:21:13 · answer #11 · answered by ? 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋