Tips for Being a Good House Guest

Being a house guest is a privilege, not a mandatory friendship bond. The biggest problem with the average house guest, especially family related house guest, is that the guest out lives there welcome really fast. They seem to forget that they are in someone else's home and should live now according to that person's lifestyle.

Yes the lifestyle of the person you are staying with may be very different from your own, but if you are going to stay with this person for however long, you need to bend and morph to their life. No different than what you would want if someone was staying at your house. Always remember, do unto others as you would want done to yourself. If you would not like it, the odds are neither will they.

So I have a couple tips for people who will soon be a house guest in someone else's home. You could turn these tips into things that will reflect your gratitude and so the home owners exactly how grateful you are that they allowed you to stay in their home.

Tip 1:

When you first arrive at the home you will be staying at, it is a good idea to start off on a good note. Bring the home owners a small gift of some sort. I am not saying to go out and get them a 70" plasma, but just something small and that says thank you for opening your home to me for x amount of time. Some gift ideas would be: cookies, a cake, flowers, plant, etc. Just make sure that what you are giving them will not be a burden to them, like a fish.

Tip 2:

Offer to do things around the house for them while you are staying. If you notice a stack of dishes that need to be washed, offer to do them. If the person you are staying with needs something from the grocery store, offer to go for them. Always keep a happy face and tone when asking to do something even if you do not want to do it. This will make them feel as if you are truly grateful.

Tip 3:

Do not isolate yourself from everyone. If you are staying with a family or something, try your best to be part of that family. This will help everyone to become comfortable with one another and make the staying experience enjoyable. Staying isolated in your own little room will make you seem as if you do not enjoy the family you are staying with, especially if you are asked if you would like to joy the family for an event and you turn them down for no reason.

Tip 4:
You can offer to take the family you are staying with out for dinner one night. This will relieve them from spending their money, giving up their time to cook, and it will give them a night off from dishes. Give them a night to relax and enjoy.

Tip 5:

When you arrive at the house you will be staying at, do not go ahead of your host and show yourself to your room unless you are asked. This is not your home and you must respect the wants of the host. Let them show you to your room or wherever when they are ready.

Tip 6:

Do not constantly ask when dinner will be ready. Ask if it is okay to do your laundry before you invite yourself to do so. If you need extra bed spreads, linens, etc ask before taking.

Tip 7:

Do not leave your items lying around their home. Not even in the room you are staying at.

Tip 8:

On the day that you are leaving, make sure to have everything cleaned up in the areas you used for the host. Make your bed and make sure you do not leave garbage everywhere. And to put the icing on the cake, get the host a card and right them a note. You can place the note on you pillow so they will see it when they go to gather your bed clothes after you leave. Make sure to thank the host before you leave.