ASKING ERIC: Couple disagrees on whether to charge houseguests

Key Takeaways:

• The column is titled “Asking Eric,” suggesting an advice format.
• A couple disagrees on whether to charge people who stay in their home.
• Another query centers on leftover food at restaurants.
• The piece was published on January 7, 2026, by Henryherald.
• Eric Thomas provides an understanding tone to answer real-life predicaments.

Opening Thoughts
“Dear Eric” letters often highlight the daily issues that can test our sense of etiquette. In this installment, the headline mentions a couple at odds over charging their houseguests—an intriguing question about balancing kindness, personal finances, and social norms.

Hosting Conundrums
Though full details on the couple’s conflict are behind a paywall, the question itself is clear enough: Should those who spend the night chip in for the costs they incur? On one hand, hosting can be expensive, from meals to utilities. On the other hand, hospitality traditionally implies generosity, especially for extended family and close friends.

Leftover Food Dilemma
Eric Thomas also encounters a separate inquiry: Is it acceptable to request uneaten food from nearby tables in a restaurant? According to the letter writer, seeing half-finished meals thrown away feels wasteful. The question is whether stepping in for a stranger’s leftovers crosses a social boundary or helps reduce waste.

Final Note
From charging houseguests to pondering leftover pastries, everyday decisions can spark ethical questions. While the full text of Eric Thomas’s advice remains exclusive to paid plans, the scenarios themselves remind us that seemingly simple choices—like food or friendship—can leave us seeking a polite, sensible solution.