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I completely disagree with Cary's advice regarding the theft of $1,000. The host knew his own staff had stolen the money. He either knew it directly (fr. questioning them) or must've had strong suspicions that one of them was the thief. If it were my household, I would've done precisely what the host did here. It would've been the honorable thing to do: It's my fault the fellow lost his money. I hired the person who stole it. These were guests in my home. I owed them hospitality and yet they received the worst treatment a guest can receive.
The boyfriend, a poor man, took the host's money as he had every right to do. Were he as wealthy as the woman's father or the host, then I agree that he should have refused the money.
As for whether the boyfriend should repay it: absolutely not. My first inclination would be to tell my parents (if I were the daughter) that they are being selfish & mean-spirited in demanding that he repay it. And that is if they continue to do so, she will only promise that he will do so when he becomes as financially comfortable as her own father who can afford to toss around $1,000 so easily.
Cary, you're coming down too easily on the side of the comfortable and well-heeled. Whatever happened to the plight of the hard-working stiff whose only mistake was accepting the hospitality of a fabulously rich South African whose staff stiffed him?
