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I live in Maryland and I have a friend who lives in Virginia. One time, I was driving south, and I wanted to position myself on the far side of Washington, DC so that I wouldn't have to deal with their infamous traffic congestion right off the bat. My friend offered to let me stay at his house, and I gladly accepted; we had a nice little visit the night before my trip, and then that morning I was able to get a good start and avoid the traffic.
Just last week, this same friend was taking a cruise out of the port that's just a short distance from my house. I offered to let him keep his car at my house (so he wouldn't have to pay for parking at the port) and to drive him between my house and the port. Sure, it was a little inconvenient. But I was happy to see him and chat with him, even if it was only for the short drive to and from the port.
So, I guess we ARE the free Holiday Inn and shuttle service. It's called being friends.
yes, I would do the same.
However, there is a fine (or not so fine) line between offering and expecting and how the friendship is overall.
I get contacted by people through facebook who are friends of friends in Germany. I don't even know them. They want to start a facebook friendship so they can come "visit" me, aka have a cheap trip to sunny California and stay at my house for free. No, thanks.
If it was a once off situation, I'd have less of a problem, but I became their go to person for airport pickups when they took leave or were returning from deployments.
Based on the OP's phrasing of "everyone" it sounds like this is just the latest example of many.
As we live next door to the airport why is it everyone coming back to town calls on us to pick them up and take them home?. at the moment i'm waiting for a flight from the west coast scheduled at midnight and my wife has volunteered to pick some one up and drive them home, rude is a mild descriptor to the way i feel,heck are the taxis on strike? this is one of my wifes friends so if i come out and say what i feel i'll end up in the dog house ..
I have tried to make a commitment to having the passenger side of my vehicle available. But in the past 2 winters. I get people at work saying "Gee! It's sure going to be cold walking home today for 2 miles" and I'll either shrug or I once said "Yep, sure is going to be a chilly morning"....
It's the old "Gas, A** or Grass. Nobody rides for free" but unless they volunteer to pay, then that's their problem. You don't HAVE to give rides. If someone ask tell them "Sorry, I'm going to be sleeping. I suggest Uber/Lyft"
Location: We_tside PNW (Columbia Gorge) / CO / SA TX / Thailand
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jambo101
As we live next door to the airport ... everyone coming back to town calls on us to pick them up and take them home?. at the moment i'm waiting for a flight from the west coast scheduled at midnight and my wife has volunteered to pick some one up and drive them home, rude is a mild descriptor to the way i feel,heck are the taxis on strike? this is one of my wifes friends so if i come out and say what i feel i'll end up in the dog house ..
Seems... It's the wife's deal, you can got to bed & let her do it... or do it yourself ONLY if you are willing.
Quote:
Originally Posted by jencam
Midnight is rather late to ask for a ride from the airport. But if your wife does not mind it, it's mainly between her and her friend.
Quote:
Originally Posted by blueherons
I have a cheap friend that every December asks me to pick up he and his daughter at the airport and to stay with me the night before their cruise. Every year I tell him no.
I am not the free Holiday Inn and shuttle service.
Quote:
Originally Posted by bus man
Who knew that kindness is so expensive?
...
So, I guess we ARE the free Holiday Inn and shuttle service. It's called being friends.
Similar... we are 20 min from an airport and do this for many friends, neighbors, soon to be friends (including international friends we have not met yet)....(for last 40 yrs). I LOVE the late night schedules (the later the better for me since I worked 30+ yrs of night shift). Friends do the same for us. This AM I did an airport run at 3:20AM.
Our home has been open for (free) guests for 30+ yrs, as was my parents, grandparents, and inlaws. Kinda rubs the 'recent' Air B&B operators (profit incentive). We do it for free, for fun and to help others out. (and to learn alot about their adventures!)
If someone insists on paying, we donate it to charity.
The best part... we came home one cold winter night and the lights were on and fireplace roaring... Unexpected international friends had dropped by and let themselves in, and had the tea on!
What a great welcome home! That was wonderful (we didn't have to start a fire, or heat the tea)
For all the people who like to pick up friends and drive them and do other errands...good for you. Just because you feel comfortable doing it doesn't mean that everyone has to.
For all the people who like to pick up friends and drive them and do other errands...good for you. Just because you feel comfortable doing it doesn't mean that everyone has to.
And the OP's wife seems to be one of those people. Good for her.
Sometimes, you just need to tell people like it is.
Maybe you'd be okay with it if they start paying. Start asking for money as a response so that you don't feel like you're being taken advantage of. Do something. If "no" is better, then do that.
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