What, in your opinion, constitutes good behaviour/manners from a guest in your home?

[SinisterIslandRoundabout]

Inspired by the brilliant thread started by @Imamumgetmeoutofhere regarding CF behaviour people have experienced from friends/relatives/strangers, it got me thinking about what is considered good manners by MNetters.

If you’ve read thread, you’ll know what is considered CFery and some of the stories are hair-raising and hilarious at the same time.

When I’m staying with someone or visiting, I try not to outstay my welcome, offer to help tidy/clean/cook and generally be pleasant and helpful as a bare minimum.

Equally, if any offers I make are not taken up, I won’t take it upon myself to help anyway as that can be a nuisance if the hosts have a certain way of doing things and I wouldn’t want to get in the way.

I read the other thread hoping not to recognise myself in any of the stories, in case I am a CF but didn’t realise it.

Also, I am and, we are as a family, often invited back so we can’t be that bad!

So, in brief, what makes a good houseguest?

Never stay more than 2 nights.
Wait to be invited.
Bring lovely gifts-wine, chocolate.
Offer to take out the hosts for a meal or cook.
Don't spend ages in the family bathroom.
Wash up.

Yes the key is not staying too long! Anyone overstaying their welcome will annoy hosts just by breathing.

I agree with the above. Offer to help once or twice, but if you're not given a job to do, then just drop it.

Offer to treat to take-aways and meals out. Don't cook. They're not interested in your famous chilli, you'll just make a mess.

See, I wouldn't particularly appreciate someone offering to cook/take us out. I would find it rude if someone invited themselves to cook in my kitchen; paying for a meal out might be nice but it's certainly not required - and if I'm hosting, I have probably planned meals already. Mind you, my perspective is skewed by my parents. For years they'd arrive, and insist on taking us out, as if I couldn't possibly cook a decent meal for them. I found it insulting.

I think, in addition to not overstaying your welcome and not spending ages in the bathroom, stripping the bed when you go is polite.