House Guest Etiquette
 

Re: House Guest Etiquette
 

Make certain they have filled out their organ donor cards before you just start "helping yourself."

Re: House Guest Etiquette
 

We have for the most part have had really great house guests.


I did have a house guest do something one time I though was rather inconsiderate. That I would like to share.

this guest was staying with us during a conference that was being held at our church. One night our guest asked if he could be a guest for dinner, the guest was a misssionary. so we were excited to have this guest for dinner. We pulled out all the stops and made prime rib --ect.

Well our guests never showed, they decided to pray instead. Never called us-

I think if you stay with someone they maybe planning their meals around when you are there, so it is important to let your host know your plans so they do not go out of their way for you while you are making other plans.

Re: House Guest Etiquette
 

All of my bad stories come from growing up in a pastors home, we had some really "interesting" guests back then. One in particular was a guy who felt the need to correct me and question what I was doing whenever my parents weren't around... in my own home.

As a 10 or 11 year old, that really went over well with me. My favorite was when he picked up a bowl out of the refrigerator and dropped it, and then immediately turned to me and said "SOMEBODY didn't put the lid back on right." I liked him a lot... :nah

Oddly enough, last time I heard, this guy was in jail for some kind of fraud...

But as far as guests in my home, I always want them to feel as comfortable as possible, and to be able to relax. But there is a fine line between guests making themselves at home, and just being obnoxious.

Most people seem to know the proper boundaries, and some just don't get it at all. I think too, it has to do with your relationship with your guest. If I am guest in someones home, the way I behave is vastly different if I am staying with an acquaintance, or if I staying with family or one of my best friends!

Re: House Guest Etiquette
 

Elaborate please. How different let's say with a close friend as opposed to an "acquaintance"?

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I always make sure the guest room has nice magazines, a few books, a candle and other personal toiletries. I like to put out a fresh set of towels on the bed with a nice bar of scented soap.

I have had house guests that do not ever offer to help you cook or clean up after any of the three meals per day for TWO weeks! :foottap LOL! I am smiling and cooking and cleaning, but on the inside! :bigbaby

I had one young mother who knew her child poured milk from his cereal bowl onto the floor, looked the other way and let me clean it up. And another mother who gave me the privilege of cleaning up her child's vomit. Nice! LOL!

We had one man who wanted to sit at our computer and offered to consolidate our bills onto a program of his choice! LOL! What a trip! You don't want to make my husband mad. He doesn't hide it very well. He, of course, was furious. We have never invited them to come and stay with us again. LOL!

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Wow, send him a bill! LOL! Did you find someone else to come and eat with you?

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Yea, I want to know that to? Does she pick her nose at a friend's house? We have to know these things! :toofunny

Re: House Guest Etiquette
 

I can't remember- I think we may of had family over instead.

We thought it was a dumb thing, I dont care if they did end up having a prayer meeting, good grief they could have ate and then prayed. People are weird.-Lol!

Re: House Guest Etiquette
 

You know what, I probably would have done the same thing. My mom is the same way.

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Love the way you say things, LIZ!!!!!!!!! :ursofunny :ursofunny :ursofunny

And I agree with you!!!!!! In the words of Napoleon Dynamite - "Idiot!" :ursofunny

Re: House Guest Etiquette
 

:lol :lol

Well it's true! :D

Re: House Guest Etiquette
 

For PO... :smack

Well, for instance, this summer I stayed for two weeks with my daughters soon to be in-laws. I had never met them before I arrived. So, especially at the beginning of the trip, I was extremely careful to not impose in any way, always made sure I was 100% ready for the day before going into the kitchen in the morning, asked for permission to get a drink, etc.

By the end of the trip I felt comfortable enough, and felt like I knew them well enough to not always have my hair completely done, felt comfortable enough to get a drink or snack for myself if I needed to, and so on.

I think some of those things depend on the level of acquaintance, how each house operates, and your reading the vibe of the family. I have aunts that I would never open their refrigerator without asking, and others that I would feel free to get whatever I needed without asking.

I think you have to be sensitive to the rules of the house that you are in. Some friends I stay with, we hang out in our pajamas, others I would not feel comfortable to do that with.

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I'm sorry!!! I didn't mean to tell!!!!

:bliss

:toofunny

Re: House Guest Etiquette
 

:thumbsup

Re: House Guest Etiquette
 

We were taught to never go into someone's fridge without asking ... didn't matter if they were family.

Also, you never sat on a young lady's bed as a male.

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As Ben Franklin once said, "Fish and visitors stink after three days. ...:ursofunny :ursofunny :ursofunny :ursofunny :ursofunny

Re: House Guest Etiquette
 

We give our guests full access to all amenities, first and foremost. I keep the fridge stocked with plenty of snacks and show them where they are. I usually ask ahead of time if there are any foods they can't (or won't) eat, and make sure we have things they like available. I leave the guest account open on the computer. I make sure they have lots of towels, and leave samples of toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, etc. in a basket on the bathroom sink. I like to put fresh flowers in the bedroom, and lay out some good magazines, books and the newspaper. If they're going to be out late, I leave a key under the mat so no one has to be woken up for them to get in. (And I wouldn't impose any kind of "curfew" unless the guest was a minor.) We let guests know if we're doing anything fun, such as going to the zoo, park, out to eat or shopping--but we don't try to make them go along with whatever we have planned. Our house is a place to relax--if you want to go in the back bedroom and sleep all afternoon, that's fine with me.

When someone stays in our house, they're part of the family, and should have all the same privileges. :thumbsup

With all that said: Complaining about food that is served--big no-no. If you fix yourself a midnight snack, at least be kind enough to put the plates in the sink and return perishables to the fridge. And don't make your host or hostess pick up your dirty clothes. My washer and dryer are free for guests' use, but I will NOT pick up someone else's dirty underwear or socks. The biggest one - Accessing inappropriate sites on the computer is NOT something you should do at someone else's house. :foottap (Or anywhere, for that matter, but PLEASE don't leave a nasty history trail on OUR computer.)

Another annoying offense is when a guest turns on a movie or TV show that isn't child-friendly while my children are in the room. :nah

One evangelist that stayed at my parent's house one time kept making me run all kinds of errands for him (and with him--to the cleaners, etc.). I was about 15 or 16...anyway, when he got ready to leave, he asked me to take his luggage to the car, and I had had enough. I told him to carry his own luggage and stalked off. So--please don't expect your host family to be your servants. It's one thing to appreciate service when it's offered; it's another to expect it. :coffee2

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This is an area I think Western Christians could improve upon. Hospitality in the NT was expected, a regular part of culture. Always hosting travelers and fellow brothers/sisters.

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Well, I would never go without asking, but some people I wouldn't even ask, I wouldn't feel that comfortable!

AND, I wasn't even allowed to have a boy in my room! :foottap

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We have a small "guest house" next door (well OK - it's also my office and our Homeschool)

The house has a fridge, bath, washer, dryer etc. That works out very well both for us and guests. If they are staying in business hrs they share the common areas with Kristin and the tribe, but after four and weekends they have total privacy if they want/need it.