Things You'll Need:
- Minimal baggage
- Good attitude
- Lots of generosity
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Step 1
Be sensitive…so you call to ask if you can stay, or let’s say the host has invited you to set up camp at their home…listen for anything between the lines. Does he/she REALLY mean it? It is perfunctory or is there really space for you to sleep?
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Step 2
Look at the situation financially. Think of all the money that you are saving by not having to pay for a hotel. So plan to be liberal with the pocketbook. Offer to pick up dinners, trips to the market, etc.
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Step 3
Start off right with bringing gifts. A bottle of wine or a gift that you know your host would appreciate. Nothing too extravagant, but coming in the door bearing gifts is always a good way to start off the visit.
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Step 4
Keep your stuff organized. Don’t just unpack your stuff and leave it laying around. Be aware of the space you are taking up and try not to take over the entire house. Consider the space you have to work with, and if it means you need to fold up the clothes you just took off, do it.
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Step 5
Always do the dishes. If your host has just cooked dinner or ordered in, be the first to clean up the dishes (even if they are paper) and clean up the kitchen. Doesn’t matter how much your host protests, get in there and do it.
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Step 6
Give your host some space. Depending on the length of your visit, you might want to spend an afternoon or an entire day out of the house (alone or with your family) and leave your host in peace. No matter how casual the situation, it is always nice to have a few hours to oneself when guests are visiting.
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Step 7
Replenish what you have consumed. Restock the fridge. And not knowing the location of the local market or not having a car is no excuse. The longer you have been visiting, the more you have drank, eaten and used. So a bag of groceries and sundries would be appreciated by your host and save him/her a trip to the store to restock.
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Step 8
Always send a thank you note. And it doesn’t have to be old school. Just a quick online greeting card. Or a call when you get home to say thanks again. Just be sure to follow up and reiterate how much you appreciated the hospitality.
