Meaning of the word "eat and drink with your relatives, but do business with strangers" in English

What does "eat and drink with your relatives, but do business with strangers" mean in English? Explore the meaning, pronunciation, and specific usage of this word with Lingoland.

eat and drink with your relatives, but do business with strangers

US /it ænd drɪŋk wɪð jɔr ˈrɛlətɪvz, bʌt du ˈbɪznəs wɪð ˈstreɪndʒərz/
UK /iːt ænd drɪŋk wɪð jɔː ˈrɛlətɪvz, bʌt duː ˈbɪznəs wɪð ˈstreɪndʒəz/
"eat and drink with your relatives, but do business with strangers" picture

Idiom

a proverb suggesting that one should maintain social and emotional ties with family but avoid financial or professional entanglements with them to prevent conflict

Example:
I decided not to hire my cousin for the project because, as they say, eat and drink with your relatives, but do business with strangers.
Mixing family and money often leads to trouble; it's better to eat and drink with your relatives, but do business with strangers.