How to Couch Surf Without Wearing Out Your Welcome

As long as there have been couches, there have been friends in need who live on them: couch surfers. Everybody either knows one or has been one. If you're couch surfing, chances are your friend will never tell you when it's time for you to go. Follow these steps to make sure your friend never has to.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Be looking for another place. If you're out of work, be looking for a job.

2. Get up when your friend gets up, even if you don't have to. Your friend shouldn't have to tip-toe around his or her own house because you're sleeping.

3. Make your bed (or put it away) as soon as you get up.

4. Clean up after yourself, and clean up after your friend. Basically, clean up.

5. Buy food and cook it (or at least heat it up). Provide meals for your friend.

6. At least one night per week, tell your friend you will be out late, then let them have their house to themselves until well after midnight. This will make another six days of you on their couch tolerable.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't appear to be getting comfortable, even if your friend tells you to make yourself at home.
• Don't stay longer than a month unless your friend insists, then leave within a week.