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Original poster

To wish house guests would bring their own towels?

141 replies

Isthisstormcomingorwhat · 03/11/2013 20:08

Just had guests to stay this weekend. They used four towels between two of them, and as we don't have a tumble dryer I now have four towels plus a set of bed linen hanging up to dry in the house.

Would it be unreasonable to ask future guests to bring their own towels (assuming they are driving and not travelling by public transport in which case I appreciate they might not want to carry too much with them).

Love having guests to stay, hate all the washing!

OP posts:
CremeEggThief · 03/11/2013 21:32

If you made a poibt of asking nicely if guests could bring their own towels, as you didn't have enough spare, I wouldn't mind. I think a lot of it is in the asking.

CremeEggThief · 03/11/2013 21:33
  • point
LividofLondon · 03/11/2013 21:39

YANBU. I don't see what is so inhospitable about asking people, who are only staying for a day or two and are driving, to bring towels. I hate washing things that don't need washing, and towels used twice don't need washing. I really wish we could get over this "it's just not cricket" mentality and just be a bit more practical. If I was staying with friends or family I'd take my own towels (unless using public transport) to save them the bother; they aren't a hotel. I would say that's being a thoughtful guest Confused

BackforGood · 03/11/2013 21:43

Well lottie, I don't treat my friends, as hotel staff - they are my friends.
Don't get me wrong, I had a friend staying over last night, and I offered her a towel - it's not a problem, but it's just helpful to the host if you don't create unnecessary work for them.
I'm surprised how many people expect to be waited on by their friends.

lottiegarbanzo · 03/11/2013 22:01

It's not 'waiting on' it's hosting!

Just as I host them, welcome them and seek to make them comfortable in my home. I have sheets and towels. I'm more than happy to make then strip beds wash a few things, cook for them and bring it to the table.

To me, part of the joy of having guests is cooking for them, aking them comfortable and giving them an enjoyable visit.

If someone offered to bring a sleeping bag, knowing we have a bed for them, I'd think either they were still in a 'student doss on the floor' mind-set, had just come back from a year's travelling or, if that clearly wasn't the case, that they had some embarrassing sheet-staining illness they didn't want to discuss - or weren't accustomed to being a guest or hosting guests. Odd, for a grown-up, in short and rather rude, as they'd be rejecting my hospitality, or implying I wasn't up to offering any.

Inertia · 03/11/2013 22:02

Coming from the opposite perspective, when you're the family who is expected to travel all over the country visiting everyone it's easier if you don’t have to ferry your own towels and bedding about - especially if you also have to pack travel cots, prams etc.

When people drive 4 hours to see us I'm quite happy to provide them with clean towels. Everybody gets their own large bath towel, medium sized towel ( for hair), hand towel and flannel. We've also got spare toiletries, hair dryer, straighteners and slippers plus a clean spare dressing gown. No pool though, sadly.

Mintyy · 03/11/2013 22:05

Yes really Kate. I guess they are just thoughtful and have realised that we have a lot more washing and drying to do than they do. They only come two or three times a year and have their own car, so it's no big deal for them.

foreverondiet · 03/11/2013 22:09

I would only ever put one towel out (and we have a tumble dryer).

But at this time of year might be better to take to laundrette. Or leave in laundry basket until sheets are done.

elQuintoConyo · 03/11/2013 22:09

Are you talking about sanitary towels, op? In that case, yanbu. 4? In just one night? Shock

I wouldn't ask my guests to bring a towel, that's something you provide as a host.

SatinSandals · 03/11/2013 22:11

Far too bulky to ask guests to bring them.

Mia4 · 03/11/2013 22:12

YANBU to ask OP, I wouldn't mind being asked but personally if I was hosting I would provide the towels, I'd find it poor hosting on my part not to. I hang mine on radiators or on a hanger out the window.

RoadToTuapeka · 03/11/2013 22:15

DH and I often used to take towels to my sister's but that is because we are family, she said we shouldn't but we did as in winter they had hardly any indoor drying space and with two children their washing never ended!

I would think it odd if friends/others asked us to bring towels, unless their situation was similar to my sister!

Iaintdunnuffink · 03/11/2013 22:35

If I stay with friends and family, and given a towel, I hang it up near the rest of our stuff. This is what our guests also do. Never been given two towels for an over night stay, never given them.

Never been given two towels for one night in a hotel. I did once call for an extra in a hotel but I'd dropped it in a bath.

I usually only stay with close fiends and family and happily ask what we need to bring. My family and friends have no problems telling us what we need to bring.

They probably didn't expect another set of towels, next time put them some where for them to use again,

magimedi · 03/11/2013 22:41

I can't believe you would ask guests, yes guests, to bring their own towels.

I only give them one naice, large bath towel each & hand towels in the bathroom but I would never expect anyone to bring them.

I also provide beach towels if it's summe r& we go sea swimming.

It's only hospitable, surely.

Nanny0gg · 03/11/2013 22:41

Get yourself one of these: Heated Airer

LittleprincessinGOLDrocks · 03/11/2013 22:47

When I stay at my friends they always ask that I take towels, and vice a versa when they stay here. I wasn't offended in the slightest when they first asked, but then again we class each other as family (I call them my brother and SIL we are that close). They could ask me to take pretty much anything and I wouldn't be offended, as to me I am going to see them to have a good time not add to their laundry bill.
I guess it depends on the friend though and how close you are too them.

ImperialBlether · 03/11/2013 23:05

I go to stay with my friend and her family once a month and I take my duvet, sheet and my pillows. I hadn't thought of taking towels.. I do it because I am only in that bed for about eight hours and obviously washing everything is just a pain in the arse to her when she's working so hard. It's just doing a favour for a friend isn't it?

GhoulWithADragonTattoo · 03/11/2013 23:20

I think it's fine if you ask nicely and explain you don't have many spares.

mumeeee · 03/11/2013 23:24

I always provide towels for guests and wouldn't expect them to bring their own.

Bettercallsaul1 · 03/11/2013 23:35

I certainly ask guests to bring their own towels - also sleeping bags, and a tent to pitch in the garden.

Cerisier · 03/11/2013 23:35

My PIL bring their sheets off their bed when they come to stay (they do drive over), then put them in the washing when they get home. They usually bring towels as well. My MIL says this way no one gets any extra washing- I love her for it.

ThePitOfStupid · 03/11/2013 23:43

I'd be happy to bring towels.

raggedymum · 04/11/2013 00:21

If someone asked me to bring towels, I'd think it was a bit odd, but I wouldn't mind. I would have a good chance of forgetting, though, as I'm horrible at packing in the first place and half the time forget something essential (despite having and checking a list!), so something like towels would be very likely to be overlooked. Then I'd feel all bad and embarrassed and probably either not shower or dry myself with yesterday's clothes or something.

Oriunda · 04/11/2013 06:58

We have towels, slippers and dressing gowns for our guests. Towels take a lot of space up and I think by asking them to bring their own you are implying you don't want them dirtying your towels? Not very welcoming.

Crowler · 04/11/2013 07:01

I'd probably be a bit surprised if someone asked this of me, this is the first I've heard of such an arrangement.

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