How long do you want house guests?

[SquarePeggyLeggy]

I was having this conversation with some friends recently - I realised that I absolutely hate house guests, of any duration longer than a night or weekend max. It doesn’t matter who they are, I’m very introverted and countdown until they leave. I don’t think I let on about this, people always stay longer. It’s more dramatic after having 3 kids, I used to mind less but really a week was long enough.
My friend LOVES having guests to stay and catching up with friends in her home. She has people to stay all the time. So we are opposite ends of the spectrum. But I also don’t ever want to stay with people either, I always put us up nearby if possible.
What do most people think? How do you arrange it if so? Do you tell people who say they’d like to come for a week you want less? Or just take it as it goes?

[runninguphills]

Nope. People think I'm very sociable and I like people coming over for an dinner/evening drinks.

However, those 3-4 hours is my maximum limit. I hate anyone staying longer. I love my home and my space and love the peace and quiet to relax and recharge.

[Runningdownthathill]

We don’t have room anymore. We used to have more space and I enjoyed it for two or three nights. I honestly can’t bear having anyone but my children now. I get really stressed.

[AGnu]

I can cope with a couple of hours... A whole day & I'm looking for excuses to pop upstairs, or I'll just go make everyone a cup of tea... We've rarely had people stay overnight but we have quite a small house so it's difficult to fit people in. We're looking to move & the first thing I check about any potential house is the layout & how suitable it would be for having guests. It gets bonus points if it has an annexe or if it has a couple of reception rooms so we don't have to have everyone in the same room all the time.

I'm just really antisocial & am actually enjoying the pandemic because I don't have to see anyone else! We're a family of 5 so can't even meet up with grandparents altogether. I've not quite got as far as sending DH & the kids to see my parents without me but there's always a chance I might!

[AfterSchoolWorry]

I don't want any guests at all overnight. My dh's nephew is the exception. He's really easy going and you wouldn't know he was there.

[EmbarrassedUser]

This is why I prefer staying with other people as we can leave when we choose. We’ve got a couple of friends who are real lingerers and won’t take the hint to leave which can be a bit tiresome. Love them to bits but it’s still so much easier when we can be the ones ‘with plans’ 😂

[floofycroissant]

Depends on the guest tbh. I can't stand for more than 2 nights max if they expect to be entertained and to spend all the time together. If they can occupy themselves for a portion of time, or have things planned other than with me then possibly longer.