Comments on: How to Be a Gracious Houseguest

on 8/22/2008 I know of two family members that are going to get this article - anonymously, of course. Thank you.

on 1/1/2008 Dear madam,

they said the compensation programs and I can't find where to sign up.Can I ask u a question and I click the top box get paid and write and and click learn and nothing came out?


Can u explain to me regarding the compensation program and how to sign up....

can u reply me as soon as possible.


http://adelineblognumber1.blogspot.com


Regards,

adeline8.

adeline_780@yahoo.com

on 1/1/2008 Dear sir,

they said the compensation programs and I can't find where to sign up.Can I ask u a question and I click the top box get paid and write and and click learn and nothing came out?


Can u explain to me regarding the compensation program and how to sign up....

can u reply me as soon as possible.


http://adelineblognumber1.blogspot.com

Regards,

adeline8.

adeline_780@yahoo.com

on 6/30/2006 To make house guests feel welcome and more at home, I always make sure they have everything they may need in their guest bedroom or bath. Books to read, TV remote, iron, extra blankets, several pillows (soft/medium/firm), stationery, stamps, pens, notepad, extra toothbrush, toothpaste, bubble bath, hair dryer, a new comb, shampoo and conditioner, disposable cups, etc. The list is endless. I always receive so many comments following a visit.

on 2/14/2006 If the host offers to pay for a meal, allow them to - once! At least make the offer to cover all the meals if you dine out. Don't get too comfortable and expect them to feed you everyday, especially if they are providing transportation as well. And don't let their opposite sex significant other pay every time, even if they insist; this could cause friction long after you're gone and may make you seem like an opportunistic leech.

on 1/26/2006 Make sure to inform your hosts of your daily plans, and to arrange all of your own transportation. If you need a car, rent one. And don't expect your hosts to loan you a car or provide lifts every day. Better yet, attempt to include your hosts in some of your activities. They may not want to join, but an invitation is courteous and always appreciated. Treat them to dinner at least once, and let them choose the restaurant.

on 1/9/2006 "Make yourself at home" should not be taken literally. Be especially aware of this when visiting close family, because it may be too easy to "do things your way". Don't use the family computer without permission, don't rearrange furniture, don't take off in the family car without permission and for long periods of time, and don't invite yourself into private rooms; such as the bedroom or master bath. I have all of these happen to me on a regular basis and it makes for a very tense visit.

on 11/22/2005 When visiting close relatives do not invite other family houseguests before you ask the hosts permission. Don't mention it to the family member you wish to invite until you have obtained your hosts response. It is your hosts decision, do not be offended if the answer is no. Make sure the host feels comfortable enough to be able to say no.

Inviting friends into your close relative?s home is even touchier. You should know the invitee and the host very well. Remember your friend is a total stranger to your host. If you feel that your host would be open to a stranger in their home ask permission premised by; I will completely understand if you are not comfortable with a stranger staying at your home. You must realize that you are responsible for your friend?s behavior in your host?s home.

on 11/22/2005 When your host tells you to make yourself at home, don't abuse the privilege. I invited two classmates over for the weekend. We are all students, and I had in my pantry some treats my parents had sent me (which I was consuming sparingly). One of my guest raided my pantry while I was out, and he finished off all the treats my parents sent! He did it without a second thought! I felt a great loss, as the particular items were hard to come by.

on 11/22/2005 Should you find yourself the houseguest of a family member, practice all of the same courtesies you would if your hostess were simply a friend. This holds true even if the stay is prolonged. I am especially offended when my mother-in-law washes my delicates or empties my personal bathroom trashcan during her stay in our home. By all means, offer any assistance you see fit, but never proceed with the chore after your hostess has responded with a polite "Thanks, but no thanks."

on 11/22/2005 I agree with Kelly G. We live in New Zealand and are happy to open our home to friends and family. While delighted to have these visitors share my new life, it means a lot when they contribute in small ways - a bottle of milk, a loaf of bread, etc. I don't expect them to clean the kitchen or bathroom but it is nice if they are considerate enough to simply be tidy and hygienic. There is a fine line between being the guest from hell and being the repeat invitee. As hostess I am happy to cook for you, but don't just turn up for meals. Likewise, don't take everything out of my hands when you see me doing it. Bottom line - it's my house, treat it as such.

on 11/22/2005 The reason I consulted this site is that I have just finished a six week string of visitors and one of the common issues I had with each one was the guest being overly "helpful." I noticed among your tips that the guest is told to strip their bed and even to launder their sheets, or to cook a meal for the host. I find myself offended by such behavior and read it as an insult to my ability to be a gracious hostess. My guests insisted on washing my dishes after every single meal. One even took all the burners off my stove and everything off my kitchen counter and scrubbed it all down. I discovered her in this process as I was leaving for work and fretted over it all day long. I took it to mean that my housekeeping was not up to her standards. While I want my guests to feel comfortable helping themselves to a beverage or a snack, I would advise them to stop short of doing household chores. A host runs his household how he likes. When a guest intrudes on this, it is presumptuous. It is also robbing the host of the joy of being a host and making his guests comfortable. When I invite a house guest, I do not do so with the expectation that they have to pay me back by running my household. I am offering a gift to them of my hospitality, the ability to spend time together, to show them a nice, relaxing time in my home.

on 11/22/2005 Never make yourself too "at home." Hosts who request it are simply being polite. Respect their home environment and organizational style (if you don't know what that means, ASK! They will appreciate your courtesy). Always thank them profusely in words and by your actions!!

on 11/22/2005 Be conscientious and cover your tracks. There's nothing worse than a houseguest that leaves a trace of herself in every room. Hairs in the shower, messy toothpaste tube, windows left open while the heat or air conditioning is on' Whenever entering a new room, take note of how things are set up. Before you lay down to sleep on the couch, note where the pillows are placed and how the blanket is folded. In the morning, put everything back as you found it. If your host takes any pride in her home, she will notice and be impressed that you were so thoughtful.

on 11/22/2005 Peoples homes are their own private kingdoms. Even messy hosts plan where their stuff goes. You may think you're doing your host a favor by rearranging her cupboards, but she'll feel intruded upon and resentful, and at the least, she will probably have trouble locating items she normally wouldn't have trouble locating. Preventing the host from feeling intruded upon can be more important to staying in your host's good graces than a gift afterwards.