My Opinions:

- Just because you invite someone does NOT mean you can't
ask for gas / expenses money. You can ask for anything
you want; it's your prerogative. It *is* like asking someone
over for dinner...you can ask them to bring a dish or the wine
if you want to.

- It is NOT uncouth to ask for 1/2 of expenses. Even if
they are paying half of the out of pocket expenses for the day
you still have the investment in the boat, probably
lots of upkeep, responsibility, etc., etc.

- They can say "no" and/or not offer anything. That
is perfectly fine; that is their prerogative.

- If they choose not to offer anything do not be
mad at them. Just dont' invite them if you don't
like it.

- If you KEEP inviting them when they don't pay
then you have NO right to bitch about it.

- If you don't ask for anything and they don't give
anything you might think they "should" give something.
But some people are shy in weird ways...My feeling
is you should not be mad at them if you don't ASK
for something. Maybe they honestly don't know
and/or honestly don't want to offer something for
fear it will offend you. People think weird things...
ASK them for what you want.






"Paul Dougherty" wrote in message
om...
Hello Group,
I have a friend who I take out on my boat very often fishing. Grant
it, it is a small boat 16' 6". But it still runs on fuel. He never has
offered to pay for fuel or help to wash all the crude out of it from
fishing. I did invite him to go so I do not feel right asking him. For
example yesterday we went fishing at small lake. I drove my truck,
towing my boat 140+ miles round trip, used 6 gallons of fuel on the
lake. I know that is not a lot since some people here have boats that
use 6 gallons just to start. But, he could offer.
Another example last year we went to Canada for a "guys" week. We used
60-70 gallons of fuel running around a much bigger lake (Bobs Lake if
anyone knows where that is) that week. That is not including the 70-80
gallons to get there and back. He did not offer cash for gas. But, he
did pay his share of the house and food. My brother and his friend
shared a boat that week and split everything 50/50 and made comments
about sharing the cost in front of my friend. But, he was still
clueless.
My brother's father in-law has a boat at the Jersey shore. When he
invites me down, even though he has more money than I will ever see, I
offer and intend to pay part of the $100-150 fuel bill. But he always
refuses. But I always offer.
Does anyone have or has had this issue? What did you or are you going
do?

Paul