My first real disappointment--two young women who seemed generally friendly and polite, if a little needy, stayed with me for five nights. They asked for a lot more support and amenities than my other guests have, but I'm happy to do whatever I can. Then at the end of the stay, they presented a parking ticket and told me they expected I pay it--even though they hadn't told me they'd rented a car mid-stay. My last communication with them before this was my own text saying, "Please ask me any questions that come up!!" I checked in every day this way.
Well, they didn't ask, and I am not psychic. I knew they initially didn't have a car based on all the research they had me doing on ubers and lyfts and shuttles and buses--and also because I ask prior to arrival. And, there are obviously street signs; this is how parking works. I was honestly stunned at the level of "helpless entitlement" in their expectation that I be liable for their mistakes in the wider world, almost as if they thought this was a guided package tour with me worrying about every variable. I'm not a camp counselor, my friends. I don't guarantee your entire vacation--I guarantee comfort and support in my home. If you trip and fall down the block, I do not pay your hospital bill.
Anyway, I explained that they never let me know they had rented a car and had never asked for any guidance, so I couldn't have prevented their mistake or now pay their ticket for them. They insisted I was responsible, and then told me they would be contacting me and the company.
I guess my question is: Is there anything I should do, preemptively, when she's declared she will take action? I'm frankly insulted that, after all I did for them--printer, beach blanket, research, guided walk, better printer paper, spring water instead of brita, wooden hangers instead of wire, special tea instead of coffee and, yes, a residential parking pass I buy for guests even though I have no car--they still found a way to feel wronged and felt comfortable trying to make me pay for their helplessness and carelessness. They are young, so maybe they are used to others taking care of them and handling their mistakes, but that makes them terrible guests in the real world and their inexperience or lack of understanding now threatens to impact me. Ideas? I don't want to leave them a bad review; I just want them to go away. Should I do nothing/is there a risk in waiting for them to make a move?