More guests and an etiquette question.
More guests arrived on Saturday. It was confusing to say the least, as I thought they were only coming Monday and Tuesday and then suddenly, on Friday they called to say, oh no, it was Saturday-Tuesday, maybe even Wednesday but we’re not sure. This being my 3rd week of hosting people, here’s what we did. You’ll notice how much I slacked, or really how much I enjoyed the more independent guests this time around:
Saturday: They arrived late. I was already sleeping through The Grudge. We talked. I showed them how to turn on the broken faucet. I fell asleep.
Sunday: I took them to Discovery Park. We picked blackberries on the way, but there aren’t many yet so don’t get your BPA free water bottles out just yet. I say in 2 weeks time you’ll be in pure jam-making bliss.
Then it was off to the Taco Truck for the rice bowl. It’s my new favorite thing at Rancho Bravo because it’s just as filling as the Rancho Burrito, but I get a fork and I don’t have to deal with any wrap falling apart business.
They left for a wedding, and I took the boyfriend to Portage. We were going to try How To Cook A Wolf, but after hearing by numerous people how shitty and snooty the staff is there I decided that even though the food is probably great, we wanted to go somewhere comfortable and not high and mighty just because they’re the hot new thing in town. That said, Portage was the perfect place. It was quiet and the meals were light and the staff was oh so kind without having to fake it. But please do go for desert. The flour-less chocolate cake is more like fudge and it’s just the right amount for sharing. Be prepared to spend $100 for two. Or about $20 if you just do desert. I suggest the latter, although there wasn’t really anything wrong with dinner. I just didn’t think it was worth the money.
Monday: I went to work and suggested loads of places. They ended up at Agua Verde and said it was wonderful. Especially the catfish tacos.
Tuesday: I left work early and we all headed to Georgetown for some Frito Pie at Smartypants. I’ve had this dish plenty of times before, but sitting outside with the planes overhead and the chill in air, this warm beany, fritoy goodness definitely hit the spot. Even when I asked for it without jalepenos, there was still a kick to it that I actually thought added something. After a few beers, we hit up Fantagraphics where I found out that Daniel Clowes will be making an appearance August 29! With more time to spare, we played Euchre at All City Coffee and then we kissed good-bye, patted the cab’s trunk and jetted home to start preparing for our much needed camping trip (t-minus one day)!
So, here’s the etiquette question. Do you treat your host to a meal or a gift card or something, to show your gratitude for everything they’ve done to make your trip a little easier, and freer? Usually, that’s how I roll. If I’m taking up someone’s space, eating their food and having them show me around, I figure the least I could do is take them out for a dinner or give them some flowers or something. And while, these guests did give us chocolates and flowers, they were from the wedding that they came here for. Thus, these tokens of appreciation, seemed more like hand me downs, rather than appreciations.
I want it to be known that I’m not complaining. I don’t care either way, as it was still very nice to see my friends again and I wasn’t expecting a free meal out of them (and the chocolates will be used for our smores this weekend). But I was just wondering what you guys think or do. Was this rude of my guests or was it more of an understanding that, “hey, whenever you’re in NYC come crash at our place” kinda thing? Or am I overthinking it altogether?
I think it depends on the guest. If it were family, I wouldn’t expect anything. Distant friends…at least helping around the house (dishes, etc).
Yeah, definitely depends on the guest. My family didn’t get me anything, and neither did my most recent houseguest, but one of my good friends bought me a paid Flickr account as a gift. That was the best thank-you gift I’ve ever gotten :)
if your guests are from nyc, it’s more than a fair trade to have their place at your disposal. i have that unwritten deal with a buddy in sf, and it works out wonderfully. just make sure to get to nyc to even things out.
I really like having guests. If they’re respectful of my space, it’s often treat enough to just have them. We had some loaner guests recently - they came for a mutual friend’s wedding and needed a place to stay, we offered our place because we have room and they:
Took us for dinner
Bought us brekkie treats from Bakery Nouveau (score!)
Gave us an odd but nice bottle of hooch. Hey, it’s the thought.
Any one of those things would have been fine, but I’m of the mind that they’re our guests, we invited them, and we are happy with the gift of their company.
A Flickr account is an AWESOME prezzie from a guest!
I think it’s common courtesy to give a (purchased) gift or a dinner to your host. But I also think it’s common courtesy to not block the whole damn bike path with your stroller when you see someone coming toward you on a bike, so what do I know.
Euchre, huh? Where are you from, yayunicorns? Michigan or Ohio?
If we stay with friends, we generally take them out to dinner one night, if it’s family it largely depends on who it is. My folks I’ll bring out a bottle of wine or some good beer for dinner, my brother though I just stay at his place and count him lucky to be in my presence!