Post by High Priestess on Feb 16, 2016 3:44:56 GMT
Dee shared Feb 15 2016
Breakfast not included
I have a guest with me for 4 nights, on her first night, she arrived around 11pm, so I told her she could have breakfast the next morning to give her time to get to the shops. She said no so I didn't bother to show her what was already open. The next morning she had helped herself to cereal, which wasn't open and I said nothing, yesterday she helped herself again and I politely reminder her, that breakfast is not included and suggested she buy some milk, which she didn't.
This morning I go downstairs again I find she sat at the table having breakfast and she says 5 minutes later, she'll pick milk up today.
I'm not happy, but I've not said anything to her as yet, partly because she off to an interview and I didn't want to upset her.
Any suggestions please?
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Dee
Dee18 hours ago
It wouldn't have bothered me if she had asked!
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Linda
Linda16 hours ago
Hello Dee - that's really nervy for her to ignore that you told her breakfast is not included. I would make kitchen off limits. Get a small refrigerator for your guest room so guest can stock there own breakfast like yogurts, milk, cereal and bread
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Dee
Dee15 hours ago
Hi Linda, thanks for your reply. My single room isn't big enough to put a fridge in it and I try not to encourage people to have food in the rooms. I've been hosting since end of September 2015 and I've never had anyone ignore what I said so blatantly and without a care, I am pissed and I've reported it to airbnb, I've also sent a message giving her the option to replace what she has used or pay additional fee through resolution centre, will see what she does when she returns.
Linda
Linda14 hours ago
It's alway a bad apple in the bunch. Glad you have had great guests. I let one person use the kitchen and she fried food every day for a month, but she was otherwise a great guest! I then made kitchen off limits. Then I stopped doing breakfast because I had a meat eater and vegetarian at same time and that wore my out. Hosting brings it's challenges, but I love the financial reward, big help to me and family.
Dee
Dee13 hours ago
I thought about putting the kitchen off limits, but feel I'd be punishing other guest for what this 1 has done and also, I'm not sure if it would put new guest off if they can't make food and drinks?
Mig
Mig5 hours ago
That guest sounds a bit self centred and entitled. Making the kitchen off limits to other guests without providing alternate ways of making snacks & drinks may cost you dearly in the long run.
Dee
Dee5 hours ago
Hi Mig, I'm not going to make my kitchen off limits, but I did put the other post up to see what host offer as an alternative and to see how there guest cope. I was just was so annoyed she continue to take after I told her.
kay
kay11 hours ago
Hi Dee, personally I think a person decides to book in at 11pm is already not going to have a lot of respect and you have s very nice place there. I tend to agree with Linda I would type in your house rules Kitchen off limits. The cheek of the girl. I would put for her feedback more suited to a hotel then at least the other hosts will give her a wide birth. Good luck with your future guests!!! Kay
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Dee
Dee11 hours ago
Hi Kay, I didn't mind her checking in at 11pm, as she asked if it was OK when she booked. Not like another guest who arrive at 10.50pm when she was expected between 5 and 6. She has been OK with everything else, that I'm aware of, she just keeps helping herself to my milk and cereal, which I find disrespectful! How do guest cope without access to the kitchen, if they are stay a few days or 2 weeks?
C C
C C9 hours ago
I hope other hosts don't give her a wide birth, but a wide berth I would definitely support.
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Dee
Dee9 hours ago
Hi cc, I'm sure that was just a slip by Kay, but I knew what she meant
helga
helga7 hours ago
I don't announce breakfast but free coffee and tea. But they can do a self service breakfast if they like. Some do, some don't and maybe a few eat a bit more than included. I found a late arrival Australian girl in the kitchen half an hour after check-in eating breakfast food. She looked a bit guilty. I made a joke about eating liver spread on cookies during ski camps in school and heated up some frozen soup for her. -
- I check if the average benefice is ok. As I would not refund 1,50 euros to a guest who had not even coffee, I don't mind if another one eats for 3 Euros or maybe 5. - you could just tell her politely "I see you don't get around to do your shopping with all the business dates you have. Let's include cereals and milk for breakfast for 3 (5) dollars more. Does that arrange you?" And then send her a request via airbnb.
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Dee
Dee7 hours ago
Hi Helga, she did go to the shops and came back with a few bits, not enough for her stay, but decided to eat my breakfast without asking. Now do you see why I ask the question on my other post, as it was suggested.
C C
C C7 hours ago
Helga, I sent you a private email.
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Rebecca
Rebecca6 hours ago
Dee, is there a particular reason why you don't offer a basic breakfast? I have some cereals in plastic containers (it lasts for ages) that guests can help themselves to. It costs pennies (Aldi do great cereals btw and the milk is super cheap) and it's just a little something to get them started in the morning. The advantages are two-fold:
1) guests appreciate not having to buy a whole box of cereal just for a one night stay
2) guests know what they can have and what they can't. It would annoy me too if someone helped themselves to my stuff without asking. But if you provide some basics in a guest-specific place (I put it on a separate shelf) then it's clear.
Just a thought!
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Dee
Dee6 hours ago
Hi Rebecca, I do offer breakfast at no extra cost if people are here 1 or 2 nights and when people arrive late after the shops close, but I find a lot of guests request so many different types of milk and breakfast stuff, it impossible to cater for everyone, so offer what I have at no extra to some guest depending on what I have in. Which is 4 different cereals and porridge and hot drinks are available as much as they like.
Rebecca
Rebecca5 hours ago
So what was the guest taking that she shouldn't have? It sounds a generous enough breakfast that you give. I don't understand? Is it because she's staying more than two days? Personally, I don't entertain requests for breakfast stuff. I provide what I provide - if they want almond milk or gluten-free, they have to buy it themselves.
Dee
Dee5 hours ago
Rebecca, please see original post, I only offered the first night, it more about me feeling disrespected and about the principal rather than anything else. A guest that shows me respect can have almost anything they want, I go out with guest and occasionally cook an evening meal and invite them to join me, but if I'm taken for granted or ignored, they get nothing, I don't reward bad behaviour. Manners cost nothing, but can get you just about anything, rude guest pee me off, it's principal not cost!
Rebecca
Rebecca5 hours ago
I totally get the idea of being disrespected, believe me. Sometimes guests follow all the rules but somehow they still manage to make you feel disrespected! But I do think it's not clear in your listing about breakfast and what's provided. It's fine to do nice extra things for the guests that you like but the ordinary ones need to know what is offered and what is not. You said in your original post that breakfast is not included but then you said you DO offer breakfast under certain circumstances. You need to be consistent so everyone knows where they stand, that's all. God, I sound bossy.... just trying to be helpful, honest.
Dee
Dee4 hours ago
It doesn't say breakfast is included and I didn't tick to say it was and as my guests are not all here at the same time and I don't change my listing, I feel I am being consistent, as it's my choice who and how often I offer breakfast and evening meal. They are not paying for it and I don't tell one guest what another person has been given!
Rebecca
Rebecca4 hours ago
OK fair enough. It might be worth specifically saying in your description, though, that breakfast isn't offered. But be aware that you might have reviews mentioning when you DO offer breakfast and then other guests will expect it and/or be confused when it isn't. Honestly, I do think it's a good idea to be very firm, clear and consistent about these things. It's not fair to make guests second-guess.
Dee
Dee4 hours ago
Rebecca I think you're missing the point, the guest knew breakfast wasn't included and decided to help herself anyway. It's not been a problem with any other of my guest, so please don't try to make this out to be my own fault, when my guest had clearly been ignorant and rude!
Rebecca
Rebecca4 hours ago
I wasn't saying it was your fault, Dee. I was just giving my opinion on how such a situation might be avoided in the future. Obviously there is no magic cure for rude and disrespectful guests. Like I said, they happen even when rules are obeyed. Apologies for exacerbating your irritation.
Dee
Dee4 hours ago
Thanks. But it wasn't anything to do with it not being clear and I don't know how I could've been any clearer after telling her twice face to face, oh yeah, I can hide my cereal and milk from her lol
Rebecca
Rebecca4 hours ago
Indeed, that's taking the piss. How about putting laxative in the milk and fart-powder in the cereal? Oh wait, that will only rebound on you, dammit!! Only solution is to write an honest succinct review. Nobody wants a guest like that - you can forgive a misunderstanding but not blatant disrespect. Cheers and sorry again if I sounded critical.
helga
helga4 hours ago
There is a joke for you both, as I had the idea to tamper the milk too: A frequent guest in a bar is annoyed as every time he goes to the toilet, someone drinks down half his beer. So he puts a note on it: "I spit into the glass". He comes back and someone added 'Me too".
Dee
Dee4 hours ago
No problem Rebecca, I bounce back, once I get if off my chest. Going to be closing this down, as it delt with now. I did have a guest that stole mine and other guest food and sweets, could've done with some laxatives then for him! At least he did it behind my back!
Dee
Dee4 hours ago
Helga, you're a demon
Rebecca
Rebecca3 hours ago
She is indeed, the best sort of demon. Glad you're the bouncy kind, Dee
Wishing you good guests and an awwriight from Embra. Sorry - that's my interpretation of a Sheffield hello!!
Dee
Dee3 hours ago
Lol. I'll have you know, even though I was born and always lived in Sheffield, I don't have the accent apart from the odd word that will give me away
Rebecca
Rebecca3 hours ago
What, like 'stop thy mithering'
Accents are great, I love them.
Dee
Dee3 hours ago
You've spent too much time down the pit or in the steel works, as even I couldn't come up with that one. I laughed so much, you made me cry!
Rebecca
Rebeccaan hour ago
Too much time with my ex-father in law, I'm afraid. Och aye the noo to you. Oh the pain actually typing that....
helga
helga5 hours ago
Rebecca, will you post on Deborah's forum after this one shuts? I did not have much time for anything the last weeks, still don't but I look in there from time to time and will do more often after this one closes.
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helga
helga5 hours ago
globalhosting.freeforums.net
Rebecca
Rebecca5 hours ago
Yes, I will. I've already posted a couple of things. But if you post in fluorescent pink comic sans I will steadfastly ignore you.
helga
helga4 hours ago
Haha, that were the times, on Windows 3.1 when people discovered how to formate text !
helga
helga4 hours ago
I even remember an Excel lesson in the Finance Ministry in Austria, where a participant transformed all his computer like that. The administrator had foreseen a lot of things and excluded external media and other nuisible things, but had not foreseen that a 50 year old functionary in the finance building would set all menues to pink and light green and mouse trails of half a screen length etc. A got nauseous when I needed to check what he was doing on his screen. ;-)
Rebecca
Rebecca4 hours ago
Mmh, no comment. (I love you really, Deborah)
Rebecca
Rebecca4 hours ago
Pink and light green with sparkly flashing twinkly text. Oh those were the days! When you had to wear sunglasses to presentations..
helga
helga4 hours ago
You are not in danger by me. My sight is going and I read best if it's in sharp contrast in black and white and only clear letters, Arial before Times New Roman and certainly no Comic. But as long as I hear very well and get no wrinkles, I'll live with that. And my smiles are only ;-) no emoticons. And nothing that moves. Even though I liked creating animated gifs. In 2001.
Rebecca
Rebecca3 hours ago
Good to hear. I stopped needing pictures to aid reading when I was four years old. If you have something worthwhile to say, pictures are not necessary.
Deborahin a few seconds
Rebecca, what about, "A picture is worth a thousand words"? To my way of viewing the world, text and language would take a back seat to the importance of imagery. The way I see it, if an author has something important to say, I have a hard time believing it's important if they dont' include pictures. So you see, how very different folks can be? Rebecca you and I are like night and day on this particular topic! :--) I'm working on illustrations now for my upcoming novel. Not a page shall go by without a nice big luscious drawing!
Breakfast not included
I have a guest with me for 4 nights, on her first night, she arrived around 11pm, so I told her she could have breakfast the next morning to give her time to get to the shops. She said no so I didn't bother to show her what was already open. The next morning she had helped herself to cereal, which wasn't open and I said nothing, yesterday she helped herself again and I politely reminder her, that breakfast is not included and suggested she buy some milk, which she didn't.
This morning I go downstairs again I find she sat at the table having breakfast and she says 5 minutes later, she'll pick milk up today.
I'm not happy, but I've not said anything to her as yet, partly because she off to an interview and I didn't want to upset her.
Any suggestions please?
8 comments
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Dee
Dee18 hours ago
It wouldn't have bothered me if she had asked!
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Linda
Linda16 hours ago
Hello Dee - that's really nervy for her to ignore that you told her breakfast is not included. I would make kitchen off limits. Get a small refrigerator for your guest room so guest can stock there own breakfast like yogurts, milk, cereal and bread
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Dee
Dee15 hours ago
Hi Linda, thanks for your reply. My single room isn't big enough to put a fridge in it and I try not to encourage people to have food in the rooms. I've been hosting since end of September 2015 and I've never had anyone ignore what I said so blatantly and without a care, I am pissed and I've reported it to airbnb, I've also sent a message giving her the option to replace what she has used or pay additional fee through resolution centre, will see what she does when she returns.
Linda
Linda14 hours ago
It's alway a bad apple in the bunch. Glad you have had great guests. I let one person use the kitchen and she fried food every day for a month, but she was otherwise a great guest! I then made kitchen off limits. Then I stopped doing breakfast because I had a meat eater and vegetarian at same time and that wore my out. Hosting brings it's challenges, but I love the financial reward, big help to me and family.
Dee
Dee13 hours ago
I thought about putting the kitchen off limits, but feel I'd be punishing other guest for what this 1 has done and also, I'm not sure if it would put new guest off if they can't make food and drinks?
Mig
Mig5 hours ago
That guest sounds a bit self centred and entitled. Making the kitchen off limits to other guests without providing alternate ways of making snacks & drinks may cost you dearly in the long run.
Dee
Dee5 hours ago
Hi Mig, I'm not going to make my kitchen off limits, but I did put the other post up to see what host offer as an alternative and to see how there guest cope. I was just was so annoyed she continue to take after I told her.
kay
kay11 hours ago
Hi Dee, personally I think a person decides to book in at 11pm is already not going to have a lot of respect and you have s very nice place there. I tend to agree with Linda I would type in your house rules Kitchen off limits. The cheek of the girl. I would put for her feedback more suited to a hotel then at least the other hosts will give her a wide birth. Good luck with your future guests!!! Kay
Reply Like 1 reply•1 like Delete
Dee
Dee11 hours ago
Hi Kay, I didn't mind her checking in at 11pm, as she asked if it was OK when she booked. Not like another guest who arrive at 10.50pm when she was expected between 5 and 6. She has been OK with everything else, that I'm aware of, she just keeps helping herself to my milk and cereal, which I find disrespectful! How do guest cope without access to the kitchen, if they are stay a few days or 2 weeks?
C C
C C9 hours ago
I hope other hosts don't give her a wide birth, but a wide berth I would definitely support.
Reply Like 1 reply Delete
Dee
Dee9 hours ago
Hi cc, I'm sure that was just a slip by Kay, but I knew what she meant
helga
helga7 hours ago
I don't announce breakfast but free coffee and tea. But they can do a self service breakfast if they like. Some do, some don't and maybe a few eat a bit more than included. I found a late arrival Australian girl in the kitchen half an hour after check-in eating breakfast food. She looked a bit guilty. I made a joke about eating liver spread on cookies during ski camps in school and heated up some frozen soup for her. -
- I check if the average benefice is ok. As I would not refund 1,50 euros to a guest who had not even coffee, I don't mind if another one eats for 3 Euros or maybe 5. - you could just tell her politely "I see you don't get around to do your shopping with all the business dates you have. Let's include cereals and milk for breakfast for 3 (5) dollars more. Does that arrange you?" And then send her a request via airbnb.
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Dee
Dee7 hours ago
Hi Helga, she did go to the shops and came back with a few bits, not enough for her stay, but decided to eat my breakfast without asking. Now do you see why I ask the question on my other post, as it was suggested.
C C
C C7 hours ago
Helga, I sent you a private email.
Reply Like Delete
Rebecca
Rebecca6 hours ago
Dee, is there a particular reason why you don't offer a basic breakfast? I have some cereals in plastic containers (it lasts for ages) that guests can help themselves to. It costs pennies (Aldi do great cereals btw and the milk is super cheap) and it's just a little something to get them started in the morning. The advantages are two-fold:
1) guests appreciate not having to buy a whole box of cereal just for a one night stay
2) guests know what they can have and what they can't. It would annoy me too if someone helped themselves to my stuff without asking. But if you provide some basics in a guest-specific place (I put it on a separate shelf) then it's clear.
Just a thought!
Reply Like 18 replies Delete
Dee
Dee6 hours ago
Hi Rebecca, I do offer breakfast at no extra cost if people are here 1 or 2 nights and when people arrive late after the shops close, but I find a lot of guests request so many different types of milk and breakfast stuff, it impossible to cater for everyone, so offer what I have at no extra to some guest depending on what I have in. Which is 4 different cereals and porridge and hot drinks are available as much as they like.
Rebecca
Rebecca5 hours ago
So what was the guest taking that she shouldn't have? It sounds a generous enough breakfast that you give. I don't understand? Is it because she's staying more than two days? Personally, I don't entertain requests for breakfast stuff. I provide what I provide - if they want almond milk or gluten-free, they have to buy it themselves.
Dee
Dee5 hours ago
Rebecca, please see original post, I only offered the first night, it more about me feeling disrespected and about the principal rather than anything else. A guest that shows me respect can have almost anything they want, I go out with guest and occasionally cook an evening meal and invite them to join me, but if I'm taken for granted or ignored, they get nothing, I don't reward bad behaviour. Manners cost nothing, but can get you just about anything, rude guest pee me off, it's principal not cost!
Rebecca
Rebecca5 hours ago
I totally get the idea of being disrespected, believe me. Sometimes guests follow all the rules but somehow they still manage to make you feel disrespected! But I do think it's not clear in your listing about breakfast and what's provided. It's fine to do nice extra things for the guests that you like but the ordinary ones need to know what is offered and what is not. You said in your original post that breakfast is not included but then you said you DO offer breakfast under certain circumstances. You need to be consistent so everyone knows where they stand, that's all. God, I sound bossy.... just trying to be helpful, honest.
Dee
Dee4 hours ago
It doesn't say breakfast is included and I didn't tick to say it was and as my guests are not all here at the same time and I don't change my listing, I feel I am being consistent, as it's my choice who and how often I offer breakfast and evening meal. They are not paying for it and I don't tell one guest what another person has been given!
Rebecca
Rebecca4 hours ago
OK fair enough. It might be worth specifically saying in your description, though, that breakfast isn't offered. But be aware that you might have reviews mentioning when you DO offer breakfast and then other guests will expect it and/or be confused when it isn't. Honestly, I do think it's a good idea to be very firm, clear and consistent about these things. It's not fair to make guests second-guess.
Dee
Dee4 hours ago
Rebecca I think you're missing the point, the guest knew breakfast wasn't included and decided to help herself anyway. It's not been a problem with any other of my guest, so please don't try to make this out to be my own fault, when my guest had clearly been ignorant and rude!
Rebecca
Rebecca4 hours ago
I wasn't saying it was your fault, Dee. I was just giving my opinion on how such a situation might be avoided in the future. Obviously there is no magic cure for rude and disrespectful guests. Like I said, they happen even when rules are obeyed. Apologies for exacerbating your irritation.
Dee
Dee4 hours ago
Thanks. But it wasn't anything to do with it not being clear and I don't know how I could've been any clearer after telling her twice face to face, oh yeah, I can hide my cereal and milk from her lol
Rebecca
Rebecca4 hours ago
Indeed, that's taking the piss. How about putting laxative in the milk and fart-powder in the cereal? Oh wait, that will only rebound on you, dammit!! Only solution is to write an honest succinct review. Nobody wants a guest like that - you can forgive a misunderstanding but not blatant disrespect. Cheers and sorry again if I sounded critical.
helga
helga4 hours ago
There is a joke for you both, as I had the idea to tamper the milk too: A frequent guest in a bar is annoyed as every time he goes to the toilet, someone drinks down half his beer. So he puts a note on it: "I spit into the glass". He comes back and someone added 'Me too".
Dee
Dee4 hours ago
No problem Rebecca, I bounce back, once I get if off my chest. Going to be closing this down, as it delt with now. I did have a guest that stole mine and other guest food and sweets, could've done with some laxatives then for him! At least he did it behind my back!
Dee
Dee4 hours ago
Helga, you're a demon
Rebecca
Rebecca3 hours ago
She is indeed, the best sort of demon. Glad you're the bouncy kind, Dee
Wishing you good guests and an awwriight from Embra. Sorry - that's my interpretation of a Sheffield hello!!Dee
Dee3 hours ago
Lol. I'll have you know, even though I was born and always lived in Sheffield, I don't have the accent apart from the odd word that will give me away
Rebecca
Rebecca3 hours ago
What, like 'stop thy mithering'
Accents are great, I love them.Dee
Dee3 hours ago
You've spent too much time down the pit or in the steel works, as even I couldn't come up with that one. I laughed so much, you made me cry!
Rebecca
Rebeccaan hour ago
Too much time with my ex-father in law, I'm afraid. Och aye the noo to you. Oh the pain actually typing that....
helga
helga5 hours ago
Rebecca, will you post on Deborah's forum after this one shuts? I did not have much time for anything the last weeks, still don't but I look in there from time to time and will do more often after this one closes.
Reply Like 8 replies Delete
helga
helga5 hours ago
globalhosting.freeforums.net
Rebecca
Rebecca5 hours ago
Yes, I will. I've already posted a couple of things. But if you post in fluorescent pink comic sans I will steadfastly ignore you.
helga
helga4 hours ago
Haha, that were the times, on Windows 3.1 when people discovered how to formate text !
helga
helga4 hours ago
I even remember an Excel lesson in the Finance Ministry in Austria, where a participant transformed all his computer like that. The administrator had foreseen a lot of things and excluded external media and other nuisible things, but had not foreseen that a 50 year old functionary in the finance building would set all menues to pink and light green and mouse trails of half a screen length etc. A got nauseous when I needed to check what he was doing on his screen. ;-)
Rebecca
Rebecca4 hours ago
Mmh, no comment. (I love you really, Deborah)
Rebecca
Rebecca4 hours ago
Pink and light green with sparkly flashing twinkly text. Oh those were the days! When you had to wear sunglasses to presentations..
helga
helga4 hours ago
You are not in danger by me. My sight is going and I read best if it's in sharp contrast in black and white and only clear letters, Arial before Times New Roman and certainly no Comic. But as long as I hear very well and get no wrinkles, I'll live with that. And my smiles are only ;-) no emoticons. And nothing that moves. Even though I liked creating animated gifs. In 2001.
Rebecca
Rebecca3 hours ago
Good to hear. I stopped needing pictures to aid reading when I was four years old. If you have something worthwhile to say, pictures are not necessary.
Deborahin a few seconds
Rebecca, what about, "A picture is worth a thousand words"? To my way of viewing the world, text and language would take a back seat to the importance of imagery. The way I see it, if an author has something important to say, I have a hard time believing it's important if they dont' include pictures. So you see, how very different folks can be? Rebecca you and I are like night and day on this particular topic! :--) I'm working on illustrations now for my upcoming novel. Not a page shall go by without a nice big luscious drawing!
