to feel like I shouldn't have to pay to stay with family?

[thelifeofamber]

So to make this short, my cousin lives in Paris and has done for 3 years now. Its one of those where you keep intending to go visit but then life gets in the way.

So we finally decided on a date and my flight is booked.

She has just sent me an email to say that I will need to contribute some money for staying in her apartment.

I'm sleeping on the sofa (which I expected) .... and I'm not expecting any food to be given to me.

Its for 3 nights, and if it was for a week I would of course offer some money... I just assumed (maybe wrongly) that if the roles were reversed I would never ask for money.

We have all sorts of Latin American cousins showing up here in London. I've become very used to it, and I suppose I knew it came with the territory when I married my husband. Charging money would be very rude. Would never dream of it.

So, does your cousin know you're not expecting to be given food? That might be all she's talking about

I can't believe this thread is so long!

OP. YANBU. It's weird and rude to charge guests to stay for x3 nights. End of. But particularly when they're staying in the sofa!

It's thoughtful - and usual - for guests to bring gifts, or offer to pay for a meal. But that's another issue and you may well have been planning to do so.

Sounds as though it's out of character for your cousin though, and I'd be interested to know why she's done it.