Distant friend wanting to stay

[MyFriendsCallMeOh]

We live in the USA and I have kept in touch vaguely with a number of friends across the world through Facebook over the years. One of them, a really lovely person but who I'm not particularly close to (we shared an office in Paris for a year in 2001/2 and haven't seen each other since, we message about twice a year) is coming to the USA next summer and has messaged me and asked if she and her husband and kids (none of whom I've ever met) can stay for a week. I'm not keen on having visitors apart from family to stay, we have a large dog who can be unpredictable with people she doesn't know in her house (so would have to go to the dog sitters) and although she is really kind and lovely, I just don't know her well enough to have her stay. Aibu and how can I say no?

She's French but has an excellent understanding of British culture. I understand about cultural differences, I've lived and worked in 7 different countries on 3 continents and speak 4 languages.

It doesn't really matter whether or not it would be acceptable in her culture, it's not something that I'm personally comfortable with. I don't think any the less of her for asking, I'm not interested in whether this is a cheeky request or not and it definitely won't affect the friendship we do have.

The driving thing is a good point. I think that our London guests expected public transport and taxis at the drop of a hat. Even thought they know we live in a rural village. The nearest (weekly) bus service is a mile away. We had to take both cars everywhere when we all went out. They thought they'd 'just get a cab from the station'. Erm, nope.

Good on you op.

'They thought they'd 'just get a cab from the station'. Erm, nope.'

Yeah, that's a good one. We come into Houston from Europe. My parents live quite centrally in Houston and it's an hour to come get us at the airport and that is with using EZ tag on toll roads.

Not only would you be expected to provide her family with free accommodation for the week, you would actually have to pay for the privilege because you would need to send your dog to a petsitter during their stay. Just say no, it's not convenient.