Here is the situation and I wonder if I am wrong in feeling this way. We have company coming for a visit and they plan on staying for a week. A father and son as the son is going through a messy breakup and Dad wants some time with him and they choose our place to do it at. Well son is a computer tech so DH asked the father if his son could look at our computer while he was here Father replies " of course he will and he doesn't charge much only $50. per hour." I was taken back by this I thought maybe he would just clean it up and say thank you for having us here for a week no charge.
Am I wrong for thinking that maybe I shouldn't assume he would do it for free and be glad I can get someone to look at it. What do you think
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It is an interesting situation these days since we all (in general) own computers and we all, again in general, are faced with computers that have a glitch or two that needs repair from time to time. Often it is tricky to differentiate between the person who works as a computer technician ( or similar work in the field) with a person who has a passion for tinkering with computers.
I know that a friend of mine who is a computer whiz and also works in that field says that he is often asked to fix peoples computers. He says that he will arrive at a friends home for a dinner party and they will casually say, "hey, **, can you look at my computer before you go, I am sure it is really simple but I cannot get this to work....or that to open...."
My DH did this one time and I felt very uncomfortable about it and made a comment to him later.
This friend now replies with a reference to somebody that they can phone for computer servicing. In the case of family he comments on it but usually does look at the computer.
Your situation seems very unique Jeep and certainly anybody staying in your home for a week should, IMO, be open to helping out, whatever that may be.
DH says not to even think about it that he thinks the Dad is speaking out of turn for the son. I guess he is just covering things in casse we want to pay him. It is not that we don't want to pay him it just seemed an odd thing to say to me. I am sure it will all work out in the end. DH is going tto ask him about the computer and offer to pay him and see where it goes from there. I guess I was being over senstive maybe to much company lately.
;)
:rolleyes:
LOL! I chuckled over this because I thought the same thing too. I think the father could have said something else such as, "I'm not sure if my son will be up to looking at your computer given how he is feeling lately..." or something like that. I think the charge per hour was the dad's way of hedging the idea of commiting on behalf of the son?
Jeep..I think that the father didn't want to answer for the son and was just paving the way in case he did happen to accept $$ if you offered to pay him.I have a feeling that the son will volunteer to do the service. Let us know the outcome if he does the service.
NO-ONE is ever wrong in feeling a certain way, it is how you act on that feeling can be or do good or bad . .
OK, lecture over, I have no comment on the situation, not knowing the relationship between you/your DH/the father/the son. I just wanted to let you know that YOUR feelings have value, to you if to no-one else.
Would it be wrong to deduct the $50 tech fee from their weekly lodging charges ?
;)
:rolleyes:
Well this is an odd one. For someone who has asked for your hospitality (at I am assuming a cost to you never mind just inconvenience) it just seems really tacky for him to mention paying his son. he could have just left it open since I am sure his son can speak for himself and may not have had the nerve to suggest payment while eating and sleeping for free for a week.
If this is the kind of attitude I normally got from that guy (the dad) I think I'd send them a menu complete with price list so you know what to shop for before they arrive.
NEVER assume!
I'd say can you take a look at my computer and jokingly add "I sure hope that I am not being charged"
For the 'father' to say his son charges...what was he thinking (?) I find that rude as a guest to state that and assume you will pay.
Can't quite figure out why they chose to stay with friends during this messy break-up. Seems to be a odd situation.
Never Assume!!!I don't think there will be a charge, however, the father is the one that made the arrangements and he cannot speak for his son who is the one that will be doing the work!!
I would make sure that when he asks to see the computer that you tell him that you don't want to impose as you realize that this is his job!! He can than said that he is doing it for nothing or.................................and you can than state it is really unnecessary (if you don't want to pay the $50).
May I ask the relationship is, I am also assuming it is probably a brother in law and nephew. If it is just a friend and his son it is more awkward!!!
I do feel that the job should be done for nothing and would be taken aback, also.
I think you are doing the favour for the father and not the son. The son most likely would refuse the money - unless the father knows something that he hasn't said.
Like maybe the son has some really big debts ahead of him and can use all the extra money he can get his hands on.
I wouldn't fret over it - as I said you are doing the favour for the father and let it go at that and see how it plays out. I would not have asked the father at all, but waited until they are there and then ask the son. He wouldn't feel obligated then to do it because his father had asked.