The boundaries of politeness

So I have just moved houses. Here’s the story:

Or perhaps it’s better to begin (and end) like this: They say it takes money to move. I have just successfully moved for approximately one US dollar (less than one euro). Life lesson number one: If someone every gives you this option, do NOT take it. Pay the 7 euros for the taxi ride. Here’s what the one dollar option entails:
1) walking 15 minutes to the metro (subway) station with over 70 pounds of everything you own either on your back or in the rolling suicase behind you.
2) carrying all that stuff down a few flights of stairs
3) looking like an idiot (hey, you get used to it as an American in Europe!) with all your stuff on the metro. I literally heard a group of girls say “mira esta con la maleta” (look at this guy with the suitcase!). The best part though is trying to blend in with all the stuff, like “oh, yeah, this is how I usually roll. No problem here. Just doing the usual…” (yeah like ANYone bought that!)
4) getting off the metro, climbing back up escalators and stairs, finding daylight, asking a group of old men for directions, and finally, reaching home.

Here’s what the taxi option entails:
1) get in taxi and give the driver directions
2) get out of taxi and say “thank you.”

But here’s the real kicker (why I’m sometimes just unfortunately unintelligent…): My host family offered to move me to my new place. In many ways, my host family had already accommodated me, so…of course I was like “oh…don’t worry about it. I’ll be fine. You’ve done enough already.” Hindsight is 20-20!

If someone gives you the option to move for one dollar, do not take it.

Check.