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Precepts of Hospitality

02:18 / 25.04.10

I've a question about Hospitality.
I hold quite high the idea of Hospitality... You invite someone into your household as a guest and they have freedom in your home, praise Zeus.
However, how far does this go? I've had a house-guest for some months now, I've offered him my home to stay in and I've honoured that. However, he's begun to be openly rude and mean to me, through word not action thankfully, and I don't know how far he is allowed to go before I can ask him to leave without being disrespectful.
I'm unsure of where to find actual precepts of the tradition of Hospitality, and I'm living in the situation enough that I don't entirely trust myself to be impartial.

Any thoughts on the matter? or advice on where to look for the information I seek?

Fr.Ps

-- cross-posted in the Temple --

16:09 / 30.07.10

Hospitality is a two-way process. Your home is not a free hotel! Though many cultures and traditions do place emphasis on kindness towards guests, after a number of months I would say the status of your visitor has altered somewhat and they ought to be contributing to the household in some way. In any event they should treat you with the same courtesy they would any other occupant, not to mention that you are their host. Perhaps latent guilt at having to live off your hospitality is at the root of their rudeness, but nonetheless it needs to be confronted and, if necessary, don't hesitate to ask this person to modify their behaviour or else leave. Modern life has enough stresses and strains without feeling uncomfortable in your own home!

17:20 / 31.07.10

Your house. Your rules. If they're making you uncomfortable in any way then IMV they need to go. Guests have a responsibility to their hosts too, the door swings both ways.