Friend from America

[Plymouthho1]

Some advice please. I have an American friend who I have known for over 50 years. She visits twice a year. I am not wealthy, she is. This time she hosted me for a night in London and then stayed with me for 4 nights. I always bend over backwards to give her a nice time. I bought her train tickets, stocked up with things I know she likes. She likes to eat out and we either split the bill or go in turns to pay. This time I would say it cost me about £500 to have her to stay. I can't carry on doing this. Is it time to call it a day?

Surely with a friend of so many years you can be completely frank and honest?

Why can't she come and stay with you, visit places via tube/walking (of course she should pay her own fares - you are providing accommodation after all), eat in at home on the cheap?

She comes to see YOU surely, not "the sights"?

If you think you can't be upfront or she'd sneer at your much more humble hospitality then its time to reassess what this Friendship really is?

How does it cost you £500?

A long term friend surely you’d just have a honest conversation with her.

You’ve been very kind but it’s time to just be honest and say things have all gone up so much here so you need to do things a bit different next time. You will happily have her but will have to eat in when she’s here and afraid cannot pay rail fare etc. Your user name, are you still in Plymouth? I have family there and the train fare is ridiculous, if I go that way that’s £100 right away. If she wants to come and see you she has to pay for rail tickets. I’m sure a true friend will understand and take you up on your hospitality and hopefully take you out for a meal locally, there’s many lovely places to eat down there!