Q: How long should you let a friend stay in your home before asking him or her to pitch in?
Although circumstances may vary, 72 hours is a reasonable period of hospitality for anyone hosting a friend in their home.
If the stay is stretching longer than you anticipated, politely let him or her know that you simply can't afford to host for an extended period.
Say something like, "You have been here two weeks instead of two days. If you would like to stay longer, it will be important for you to start paying rent and half the expenses." Then add, "Are you comfortable paying cash or by PayPal?"
If you prefer him or her to leave, give 24 hours notice. You also can try cleaning the guest room, stripping the bed, vacuuming and placing boxes and packing tape in your friend's room to send the message.
To avoid any conflict, the day before say, "Where has the time gone? It seems like you just arrived and now it's time for you to go."
_ Sharon Schweitzer, international business etiquette expert, author and founder of Protocol & Etiquette Worldwide
When you're working out whether to ask a friend to pitch in, the first question is: Would hosting your friend cost you rental income from turning away others? Don't try to turn a profit; you're not a hotel. But nor should you suffer thousands of dollars of lost income in silence. With the rise of Airbnb, if you open up your house to a friend today, there could be a financial opportunity cost.
If you decide that there's a loss to recoup, you could broach the issue by saying, "I can't wait to have you visit! I was just wondering if it's possible to contribute something."
Alternatively, name a figure. There's no point hosting a friend if you'll harbor a grudge against them for overstaying their welcome. That won't help your bank balance or friendship.
_ Alex Stephany, expert on the sharing economy and the author of "The Business of Sharing: Making it in the New Sharing Economy"
