Should you offer to show visitors around your home?

[evelynj]

Hi all

Just that really? I do for close f&f but what about e.g. newish school mum friends? I love seeing round peoples homes but don't know what the etiquette is re asking 'would you like a tour. Fwiw, I love my home & happy to show but it's usually messy in a few parts & I I think I have lower standards than most!

[PrimalLass]

Jeez no. I normally have shoved the mess into other rooms.

[Mintyy]

No. There is absolutely no reason whatsoever to show new acquaintances around your entire home. If someone I barely knew asked me if I'd like a tour I would think they were completely barking (and not my sort of person).

[emsyj]

I would think someone was a bit odd if they offered me a tour - unless they were a close friend and had recently moved. I wouldn't offer really, bit weird!

[Lally112]

Not without a hard hat in mine. Its a 'work-in-progress' shall we say.

[evelynj]

Hmm, thanks all. I guess most of my new visitors until recently had a always been close enough that I know they'd want to see around, although also I've been in a few new homes where recently the host has said 'come have a look'. There's kids so often kids & parents end up in ds room trying to get some little uns out.

I should maybe start on getting the parts oh the house that are definitely going to be seen cleaner & tidy then?

[TurnOverTheTv]

God no. I would think you were showing off for whatever reason. Very odd!

[Onesleeptillwembley]

Unless it's a new house/old friends, or work you've had done/old friends, no, why on earth would you? Someone said upthread that it's like showing off. It certainly would seem that way.

[ABlandAndDeadlyCourtesy]

Err, no.

[jaynebxl]

I can't think why you would, and nobodybhas ever offered me a tour of their home. Actually the one exception was when we moved house and for the first week or so any visitors would look round the whole house but once we were settled they didn't.

[scousadelic]

Heavens no! With the exception of if you have recently moved or had major renovations done

[LilyandGinger]

Depends, I have differed a tour to good friends when we'd just moved but only immediately after the move.

I would expect to be offered in a long established home. On the other hand When I first visited a friend's house (who lives in an amazing converted barn she offered a tour after I complimented her on her lovely home. I was very happy to take the tour and ooh and ahhed (so pretty ) in all the appropriate places but wouldn't necessarily expected to be offered.

[LilyandGinger]

^^ wouldn't expect in a long established home doh!

[ovenchips]

I wouldn't ever offer a 'tour' of my home, unless we'd very recently moved and the person was desperate for a nosey.

And I wouldn't ever want to get shown round either. I'm not that fussed and start being very stuck for things to say about the rooms as I'm going round.

[evelynj]

Good stuff-we moved in 2 years ago now & have had major work done-I've had people ask too but not been offended by it. I am glad it's not expected but only because it's never tip top organised to show off!

[annabanana19]

Unless you're a snob and a show off - no.

[LilyandGinger]

Anna I don't think it's snobby to show your home.

OP if you've been renovating then I might well ask for a wee tour. My good friend totally re did her living room recently and I popped round specially to see it when it was done. ('twas lovely) You don't have to say yes obviously

[annabanana19]

Of course its snobby! Showing off is a rather naff thing to do. "Look what I have....."

[Kendodd]

Of course not. If somebody I'd just met offered me a tour of their home I think they were mad.

This is only ok with long term friends if you'd just moved.

[Kendodd]

Why do you want to give people a tour anyway?

[ZenNudist]

I'd think you were showing off. I don't mind if a friend says can I see your [specific room] if you've redone it or if they're looking for ideas to redo theirs but 'a tour' is rather grandiose.

I assume you've got a big house?

[Thurlow]

New house or lots of work done, old friends - perfectly normal to show them around.

I don't mind showing people around and I don't mind if people ask, mainly because I like looking around other people's houses because I am nosy (on room size, not belongings)

[HRMumness]

Depends on context. We did when we first bought our home (a total fixer upper) and would give people another tour if they were keen to see progress when they visited again. I meet a lot of mums in similar situations in our area, so if they are keen I'm always happy to give them a tour and show them what we have done / what work is planned next. I wouldn't ask in someone's home but if they offered I'd be interested but that's because you can get ideas / offer advice if you have done something similar in your own home. Don't see it as nosy at all.

[Subhuman]

I agree with everyone else, if you've just moved in/renovated/redecorated and are proud of it, then you might want to show off those particular bits, or if it's someone you know is looking for inspiration for decorating, etc...

But if you've been there a long time and you have your pants on the floor, lightbulb needing changed and a stubborn stain on the landing carpet, then there's no real incentive for showing them.