to think if you go and stay with someone for a week, then you might at least buy them a bottle of wine as a thank you for putting them up and feeding them?

[MrsSchadenfreude]

I'm not asking to be taken out to dinner for a big fancy schmancy meal or inundated with gifts. I understand that a week's free accommodation in Paris is a cheap holiday for some friends who might not get a holiday otherwise. But you can buy a reasonable bottle of wine for 5 euros here, or a small bunch of nice flowers for about the same - if someone has put you up for a week, fed you, provided beer, wine and gin, and you haven't as much as brought tea bags with you, it is not too much to contribute a bottle of wine to dinner one night, is it?

Eh?
Give us more info-sounds intriguing.
Are they with you in Paree?
Friend or family (foe by now I suspect)
Why are these appalling people who let others wait on them??

YANBU

Did they help with the washing up?

They are tight ungrateful sods. YANBU (are they the types that can peel an orange in their pockets?)

If you invite me to Paris I'll take you out for a fancy schmancy meal.

its rude, bloody rude.

I'd deffo buy my hosts something lovely. Not expensive, but just thoughtful.

I wouldn't dream of expecting anyone to put me up for a week either.

Most guests are lovely, but there have been a few (a fair few) who have, I feel, taken the piss. My mother being one of them.

And no, Humphrey, they did nothing to help. The sort who look up from their book and say "What's for dinner then?" as I come in through the door from work.

Come on.More info.

Send them a bill instead of a Christmas card this year.

agree with piratecat
it's the least you can do

some folks are just thoughtless and ungrateful, sadly

No, YABU, why is it we have a "gesture gift" society, why is a simple Thankyou not enough anymore, I dont want a gift, I want my guests to have a fab time, and hoped they felt at home in my house, and are happy to return again.

My family live 250 miles away, and if the felt the need to offer me a gesture to say THANKYOU, I would be hurt and felt they were disrespecting me, and they coming to visit is MY gift!

I have started saying no to people. Got a text this morning from one of them who said "We are going to come out and see you for a week again in June." I am torn between not replying and saying "How lovely. Where will you be staying?"

(This was friend who spent over 500 euros on a designer bag on her last visit.)

yanbu
rude bastards

LittleMrsHappy - a thank you would have been lovely. Some of our guests seem to view it as an entitlement. And I think if you are staying for a week with someone, then it is nice to offer something. Doesn't need to be big or expensive, as I said. I think it is manners just to offer a small token of thanks.

And I don't think it is a "gesture gift" society. I was brought up to think it was manners.

I have had people stay who raise their eyebrows in disapproval when I buy wine and then happily quaff it down their necks every night..cos 'we're on holiday!'

It's not too much to hope for but it isn't something you should expect. My best friend is coming to stay with us next week. His company is thanks enough for the friendship I appreciate.

"How lovely. Where will you be staying?"

Genius. Please do it.

If I stay with someone (excluding my parents) I try to take them out for a dinner or drink if possible. If not, I try to chip in around the house (cleaning up after meals so they can put their feet up) or chip in for any food/drink that we will be enjoying. It is common courtesy!

No wonder they can afford the handbag - that would be the price of a couple of days all inclusive in paris

taking the piss and sorry but we are away for a few days then and have other guests stay at different times - would love to meet up with you if are dates coincide...

YANBU

when my 25 year old sister stays she always leaves the gift of bronzer/fake tan all over my cream carpets/bed linen

if that makes you feel any better....

It is indeed manners. It doesn't have to cost much but does need to be thoughtful. It's very kind to put people up, especially for a whole week, and you should show your appreciation.

YANBU!

YABU littlemrshappy has probably summed it up better than I could but it has never dawned on me to buy a present for friends we visit purely because we have stayed. Nor has it occurred to me to hope for/expect a gift in return when people stay here.

having said that I tend to offer to chip in or buy random presents that suit a friends personality but that can be when I haven't seen them in months or when we are together. gifts should be unexpected.

I find this idea of expecting presents pretty rude, in my book the company of good friends is worth far more than any gift they could give.