Dear Amy: Some of my family members are going to have a mini family reunion in Paris (where my brother lives) in a few months. My brother’s son, wife and their two young children will be flying to Paris from Istanbul, and I will be flying from Los Angeles.
My nephew’s family and I will be staying at the same hotel. Several times my brother has mentioned that his son and family are coming to Paris “especially to see the uncle from America.” In light of those repeated comments, do you think it would be the right thing to do for me to pay for the family’s hotel bill during their week’s visit in Paris?
And yes, I can afford to pay. But do I need to?
Amy says: Thank you for asking a question that will be met by a universal sigh: “What a nice problem to have.”
Your nephew and his family are traveling for a family reunion, which will include his father (grandparent to the children). Presumably these family members have spent time together previously.
I infer that your nephew and his wife have not spent much (if any) time with you, and that their children possibly have never met you. You can imagine their excitement and curiosity about meeting their American uncle.
Your brother is passing along this family’s excitement, not asking for you to foot their bill or implying that you should. But if they are in need or you want to be generous, then paying for their hotel bill would be a very kind thing to do.
Otherwise, I hope you will bring some small gifts from Los Angeles, perhaps take them to lunch or to a museum, and — if you all hit it off — you could invite them to visit you in your home, and foot the bill when they do.
