COUPLE'S BOORISH HOUSEGUEST RUINS CHANCE OF ANOTHER STAY
DEAR CR-ABBY: My husband and I have built and begun using a second home. We have entertained some wonderful houseguests here.
Last weekend, a couple of longtime friends, "Shirley" and "Arnold," came to stay for three days. They were the most miserable three days I can remember, mostly because of Arnold.
He dominated all conversation, expected all his food to be served to him -- even though the dessert course was explicitly buffet-style -- made noises while eating and never once offered to prepare any food.
The final straw came during the last night of their stay. Arnold came into the living room in his pajamas, lay down on the couch and, when he saw what we were already watching on TV, said, "I prefer the History Channel." I was so dumbfounded I could only laugh.
Needless to say, we are not planning to invite Arnold and Shirley back (which creates some other problems). What, if anything, should I say to this couple? And are there any books or other resources on "how to be a good houseguest" that I can send him anonymously?
-- DISTURBED IN THE DESERT
DEAR CR-ABBY: My husband and I have built and begun using a second home. We have entertained some wonderful houseguests here.
Last weekend, a couple of longtime friends, "Shirley" and "Arnold," came to stay for three days. They were the most miserable three days I can remember, mostly because of Arnold.
He dominated all conversation, expected all his food to be served to him -- even though the dessert course was explicitly buffet-style -- made noises while eating and never once offered to prepare any food.
The final straw came during the last night of their stay. Arnold came into the living room in his pajamas, lay down on the couch and, when he saw what we were already watching on TV, said, "I prefer the History Channel." I was so dumbfounded I could only laugh.
Needless to say, we are not planning to invite Arnold and Shirley back (which creates some other problems). What, if anything, should I say to this couple? And are there any books or other resources on "how to be a good houseguest" that I can send him anonymously?
-- DISTURBED IN THE DESERT
Dear Slayed in Death Valley,
Assuming that your friends are in your same age group, I put it to you that this guy is beyond redemption/re-training and that his idiosyncracies will only get worse. Hence, my advice drop them off your list. Not sure what other problems that causes (as you hinted above) but if you are worried about the "wifey" getting caught up in the crossfire, rest assured she is already deep knee in it 24/7.
She is either incapable or unwilling of curbing his boorishness and/or has become numb to it's abrasive impact on others. In either case, she is a casualty of social warfare and cannot be rescued. She can only save herself if she is so inclined.
If by chance you find yourself in the unenviable position of hosting this larda## again,...I would very obviously...leave the meal at it's intended "pick up point" and when asked to serve, simply say...I'm the cook,..I don't wait and bus tables too and btw, you and my hubby are signed for dish duty.
Cr-Abby
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment