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Costly business Debora Robertson’s guidance on having people to stay sparked discussion [Jul, p39]
From: Ilona Kosmowsky One issue I’d like advice on: money. If you have people staying, of course you’ll provide food and drink. As it’s not a thing to ask relatives for a contribution, what are the rules when friends or friends of friends stay? Who can afford to cater for all of them? Do I as a guest go shopping with the host and offer to pay? Or buy some items that got used up? Debora also suggests visits to local restaurants. Who pays the bill – the host, everyone or the guests? Debora replies… I wouldn’t have anyone to stay who I couldn’t have a frank talk with about it. I’d say, “Times are tough at the moment and it will be lovely to see you, but let’s work out a way we can get together without it bankrupting us all... If I make dinner on Friday, could you make lunch on Saturday?” Then I’d suggest all the great free things to do where I lived. I’d rather have soup and sandwiches with people I love than a Michelin-starred dinner anywhere.