Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
We have my spouse's parents coming to town (not staying with us) this weekend. They'd like us to go out to dinner because they think it's fun when they are on vacation, but they don't want to pay for us.
We were not planning on going out this weekend and usually only go out to a meal about once a month or so. We had not budgeted in the cost of a meal out this weekend in our family budgets. We can afford the cost but I don't like the concept that we go spend a wad of cash when people visit, and besides, my wife makes better food than what we get in restaurants anyway.
So, what is the correct ettiquette in this situation?
If it's a rare occurrence (once, twice a year) I'd join them, especially if you don't see them often. I hate spending money when I hadn't planned on it, too, so I feel you, but if it means spending extra time together then I'll do it. Again, that's only if they don't make it a habit, otherwise I'd say, "We thought we'd stay in for dinner, but please don't let us stop you. Go out and have fun."
If it's a rare occurrence (once, twice a year) I'd join them, especially if you don't see them often. I hate spending money when I hadn't planned on it, too, so I feel you, but if it means spending extra time together then I'll do it. Again, that's only if they don't make it a habit, otherwise I'd say, "We thought we'd stay in for dinner, but please don't let us stop you. Go out and have fun."
Good luck with that.
This ^^. Unless, your wife wants to go out, and in that case, I would defer to her.
... but I don't like the concept that we go spend a wad of cash when people visit...
See with our family this is expected. We either plan a dinner which costs money or go out to eat. Either way, guests always need to be entertained somehow.
Quote:
Originally Posted by ExerciseVidiot
If it's a rare occurrence (once, twice a year) I'd join them, especially if you don't see them often.
The correct ettiquette is you go to dinner and pay for your inlaws dinner too. How often do you see them? This is one thread where I would like to question the OP's wife.
I say it's up to your wife, it's her decision. Either you go out to eat, and if this is a once-in-a-blue-moon kind of thing, you really should be offering to pay for everyone; OR you offer to host the meal in your home, if your wife wants to cook.
Or, you stay home and fend for yourself, and your wife enjoys a meal with her parents.
If your in-laws are paying to travel to your town, and paying to stay elsewhere, then you should take them to diner. If you really can't afford it, offer to cook for them. If they really want to go out, go and pay for yourselves. It shouldn't be a lot more than cooking for them anyway. How long are they in town? When we have family visit we usually do a variety of things for dinner. We take turns paying to eat out, or bring home take out, or I cook for all of us. If you usually go out to eat once or twice a month, just make this one of those times.
If your wife is going to be cooking all day, pay her for the time. I think you will find that, plus the cost of the groceries, is the same as eating out. The only difference wil be that your wife will be exhausted from the cooking, plus the entertaining, plus her usual work.
If your wife is going to be cooking all day, pay her for the time. I think you will find that, plus the cost of the groceries, is the same as eating out. The only difference wil be that your wife will be exhausted from the cooking, plus the entertaining, plus her usual work.
What???
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
