Last year, an old friend of mine rang me up, pleading with me to host her closest friends at my house for a week. Theyd decided to unwind along the seaside in our little village. I found it awkward to refuse, so I agreedbut I made myself clear beforehand:
The seasons at its peak, so I cant offer them a room for free. Yet, I dont feel comfortable charging your friends either.
At this, my friend replied, Dont worry, darling, theyll pay. Money isnt an issue. Theyre only afraid theyll bump into con artistsyou know, the sort who take fees upfront and then refuse to let holidaymakers stay or chuck them out halfway through their stay.
Ah, I fell right into the trap. If only Id known what this holiday would really cost me, Id never have said yes.
Feeling uneasy, I decided to give them a generous discount. They got their room at half the usual price.
The day arrived! Instead of the promised family, a teenage girl showed up, dragging along a ten-year-old boy. Well, friends are friends, I supposebut the three of them hardly felt comfortable together in one room!
Our meeting was pleasant enough. I did my best to cook a nice meal and, after dinner, showed them around the local landmarks. Wishing them well, I left to attend my evening classes.
On the second day, the guests son fired a water pistol at my TV while it was on. The parents were in the room, but that didnt stop the cheeky lad. The couple apologised and promised to pay for the repair, although the TV, sadly, was ruined (still waiting to be fixed). I brought over a spare TV from the next room. What will you do in the evenings?
Then, that friendly family managed to burn the kettle. Sorry it was the teenager, who forgot to add water.
Soon enough, they started rearranging the furniture (the room was too small for their liking), breaking two legsone off the bedside table and another from the dining table. They laughed it off: Ha-ha, youve got plenty of furniture! Well tape the table leg back on, itll be fine. And well wedge something under the bedside tablenot a big deal.
The high point was a wild party that raged until two in the morning, full of drunken shouts and rowdiness. When I asked them to turn the music down at eleven, they replied, Relaxits your moneys worth! To be fair, they did lower the volume, after a second warning.
There was no point arguing with drunken guests, so I waited till morning. Next day, I sat down for a frank chat with the couple, telling them such behaviour was unacceptable. They werent the only ones holidaying here. I asked they be careful with the household appliances, too.
My friends shrugged, dissatisfied. Well, weve paid for it. I lost my temper, Thank you for coming as friends of a friend. Otherwise, you wouldnt be here at all!
Following my words, they started behaving more modestly and there were no more broken appliances. But that was the end of the friendship.
In the end, we stopped speaking altogether. Still, that didnt stop them from taking the gifts and souvenirs Id prepared for them and our mutual friend. And, along with those, two large bath towels and a terracotta sheet vanished from the room.
I must admit, these were the best friends of my old schoolmate. She and Id been close throughout secondary school, until she married and moved to another town. She described her friends as lovely, well-mannered people. If that had been true, they could have joined us for summer holiday every year.
But thats how it unfolded. My friend was silent for ages, then, during a phone conversation, finally told me they hadnt enjoyed their holiday: They said you kept picking on them and spoiled the mood. Even though theyd paid good money!
Im sorry, but the money they handed over wouldnt buy a new TV, kettle, table, bedside table, bedding, and towels. Not to mention, they frayed my nerves and upset the other guests. That affects my reputationand next year, the tourists may well choose a different place.
Still, Ive gained plenty of experience, and now I know for sure: sometimes, its best simply to say no.
