Dear Queenie,
My husband’s cousin built a new house and my husband, who is a plumber, agreed to do all the plumbing work for it for free (except for the cost of parts) but in all the time he was working they never even offered him a snack or a meal or anything to compensate for the distance he had to travel to get from his home to the new house and back home (not a short drive). And since they moved into the new house they have never invited us to visit, not even for events where most of the family came.
Queenie, should we say something or keep quiet for the sake of peace in the family?—Angry cousin’s wife
Dear Wife,
It is possible that your husband’s cousin assumed that the offer of free work included the cost of transportation and they were not in a position to offer snacks or meals, and that they now assume that you know about the family events and do not need a specific invitation.
Have you and/or your husband had any contact with the cousin since the work was completed? Try wishing them happy holidays and asking them how the plumbing is working. And if you host any family gatherings, be sure to include them – it might teach them something about family hospitality.
