Is it rude to invite people to the pool but make them pay the guest fee?

[Anonymous]

DD was invited for a playdate but we are going to the pool, so I responded that we are going to the pool (need to be a member) and they are welcome to join us and guest passes for $5. Is that rude? We pay a lot for membership and I dont want to pay an extra $15 for DD's friends and friends' parents to join us every time, but then it also felt a little rude. Its certainly much cheaper for them to pay the $5 fee than join as full members.

[Anonymous]

I think it's rude. $15 in the grand scheme of things...

[Anonymous]

Once or twice, the member pays. every week - guest pays. Sort of the difference between issuing an invitation and couple of friends mutually deciding to go to the pool.

[Anonymous]

So rude. If you don't want to pay for your guests, don't invite them.

[Anonymous]

I think you shouldn't have asked. If you all arrive together, they'll see you shelling out and would offer.

[Anonymous]

Yes, it's rude.

They can't go to the pool without you so you must invite them. When you invite someone, then you are paying.

If you don't want to pay the guest fee, suggest you all meet up at a public pool.

[Anonymous]

I like what you've done. "Welcome to join us" is perfect.
And since you aren't paying their way, they won't feel obligated to return the favor. Just friends getting together.

Perfect.

[Anonymous]

I wouldn't want to pay the $15 either, but I would not have reponded the way you did. I would have declined, saying that we already had plans, then suggested an alternate date/time for a playdate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Once or twice, the member pays. every week - guest pays. Sort of the difference between issuing an invitation and couple of friends mutually deciding to go to the pool.

+1

[Anonymous]

huh I thought you could give out guest passes or the host covers the cost. It would be like going to a birthday party at someone's house and charging admission to cover cake and pizza.

[Anonymous]

are you going to charge the host for bringing your gift?

[Anonymous]

I am interested in how others reply, as I have always wondered about this. People pay a lot for pool memberships, so I find it unfair that the etiquette seems to be they pay for guests. I always appreciate being invited, given we could not get in without the invite (to me this is different then other invites to places I could go on my own). So I offer to pay. But if we ever get in, I wonder if inviting guests will be a huge money suck.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Once or twice, the member pays. every week - guest pays. Sort of the difference between issuing an invitation and couple of friends mutually deciding to go to the pool.

+1

+2

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Once or twice, the member pays. every week - guest pays. Sort of the difference between issuing an invitation and couple of friends mutually deciding to go to the pool.

Agree. We just get a couple of guest cards at the beginning of the season. $15 seems small to me. Maybe they will volunteer to bring or buy snacks and drinks and it evens out.

[Anonymous]

They are your guests. Yes, it is rude. If they are going every week, they should join - they are then abusing the guest system.