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Original poster

House guest etiquette

32 replies

AlexaShutUp · 12/02/2022 09:36

16yo dd is going to stay with the relative of a friend who has very kindly offered to host them during the half term.

DD is very sociable and makes excellent company, and she is also very self aware so I don't think she will be making any major faux-pas, but thanks to the pandemic, it's ages since we have stayed with anyone and I want to make sure that she is aware of all of the relevant etiquette.

I think she will think of obvious stuff like helping to clear up after dinner, tidying up after herself etc, but what else does she need to be aware of so as not to be a PITA guest please?!

I am going to suggest that she gets a little gift for her host, but should this be given at the beginning of their stay or the end? Are flowers the most suitable option?

OP posts:
sillysmiles · 12/02/2022 14:19

For me, a lot of these pp are way ott. If you're having a guest to stay they shouldn't be invisible or made to feel like they have to be invisible. For me it would simply Be by bringing gift when you arrive help clean up after dinner be sociable and talk. I assume the people who invited her know her and like her or at the very least are willing to host the 16 year-old that accept that that means having an additional person in their house and that this person is not invisible!

SeaToSki · 12/02/2022 14:20

Arrive with a small gift

Be willing to chat

Be willing to help prep and clean up after meals

Be aware of the household’s routines re bathrooms, bedtimes, getting up times and ask if you need clarification

Dont leave your stuff scattered all around

The morning you are leaving, ask the hosts if you should strip the bed or leave it and what you should do with your towel. Remember to pack everything

Have fun

Gwenhwyfar · 14/02/2022 21:01

@sillysmiles

For me, a lot of these pp are way ott. If you're having a guest to stay they shouldn't be invisible or made to feel like they have to be invisible. For me it would simply Be by bringing gift when you arrive help clean up after dinner be sociable and talk. I assume the people who invited her know her and like her or at the very least are willing to host the 16 year-old that accept that that means having an additional person in their house and that this person is not invisible!
Read some of the 'how to be a good host' threads!

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

General relationships
HarlanPepper · 14/02/2022 21:09

There's no set list of rules! Just... don't be a dick. Offer to help with the washing up/loading the dishwasher. Don't leave a trail of dirty laundry everywhere. Flush the loo. That sort of thing. Surely at 16 she'll already have the idea.

sillysmiles · 14/02/2022 23:37

Read some of the 'how to be a good host' threads!

No way! According to those I'm probably a terrible host and a terrible guest.
But these lists of rules....

Gwenhwyfar · 15/02/2022 21:37

@sillysmiles

Read some of the 'how to be a good host' threads!

No way! According to those I'm probably a terrible host and a terrible guest.
But these lists of rules....

After one of those threads I was bitched about on Reddit and called disablist because I didn't own a bedside lamp at the time (switch was by the bed).
Gwenhwyfar · 15/02/2022 21:38

I'm curious about the going to bed first thing, how do you know when the host will go to bed? Do you have to go at 8 to make sure you're first? Do you have to ask them to give you a time?

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