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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to assume I can use their shampoo/shower gel when visiting?

404 replies

Smudge612 · 15/02/2017 11:25

I don't mean rummaging in their bathroom cupboards or anything Hmm, but for example, we have shower gel, shampoo & conditioner out on the side of the bath (shower over bath job). I would assume guests would use them if they needed when they stay at mine - and am happy for them to do so. Is it wrong to assume I can then do the same thing if I stay over somewhere???

OP posts:
antimatter · 15/02/2017 11:25

I think I would ask.

ChicRock · 15/02/2017 11:26

I always take my own as I'm fussy about what I use but I'd totally assume I could use theirs (and would if it was better than mine Grin) if stuff was out on the side of the bath.

harderandharder2breathe · 15/02/2017 11:26

If you're close enough to someone to stay in your home you should be able to use their shower gel!

DJBaggySmalls · 15/02/2017 11:27

Stuff for anyone to use is on the side of the bath, and we tell visitors that if they use our shower.
At someone else's home I'd ask.

TondelayaDellaVentamiglia · 15/02/2017 11:27

I would without a second thought....who is so tight they cannot spare a squeeze of shower gel? Or so selfish they'd expect someone to bring their own?

JennyOnAPlate · 15/02/2017 11:27

I think it's wrong to assume, yes. I always take my own toiletries when I go away.

MrsHathaway · 15/02/2017 11:27

I would be absolutely fine with anyone using the bottles of stuff that's out on the shelf over the bath or shower, but I would explicitly say so - "there's shower gel and shampoo on the shelf, and the towels are in the cupboard". I certainly wouldn't expect anyone to use my razor, for example, even though it's on the same shelf.

So yes, I'd ask.

Are you already there, or deciding what to pack?

PinkFluffiUnicorn · 15/02/2017 11:27

I would expect a person staying with me to use them, but I would ask if I was staying somewhere.

londonrach · 15/02/2017 11:27

Depends. At family id use and expect them to use mine. With friends i bring my own but wouldnt mind if they used mine. Its there to be used.

EatSpamAmandaLamb · 15/02/2017 11:29

I think it's fine.
I always leave a few hotel miniatures in our guest room though, because I know some people do feel funny about using other people's shower stuff. I hope they don't think I'm hinting they should keep their hands off my cut priced Radox. Grin

spankhurst · 15/02/2017 11:29

If it's out then I would expect guests to use it.

Iwasjustabouttosaythat · 15/02/2017 11:30

It's wrong. People often use special shampoo & conditioner and it can be very expense stuff. Same with face wash. Very personalised too. I would expect guests to have their own faves of these and I would be very surprised if they used mine.

Body wash is another matter. I keep a huge thing of body wash in the shower that guests can use but I find they usually bring their own body wash too.

It also depends how long they're staying. Just one night? No problem, use my stuff. 2 weeks? Not so much.

OllyBJolly · 15/02/2017 11:32

I know a few people who have expensive toiletries out "for show" and retrieve the value stuff from the cupboard every time. So I would always ask.

I was going to say anyone can use anything if staying at my house but then remembered DH gets annoyed if he suspects anyone is using his Head and Shoulders...

PurpleDaisies · 15/02/2017 11:35

Its fine. In our house there's a basket of guest stuff in the ensuite in the guest room specifically for this purpose.

FireInTheHead · 15/02/2017 11:36

I would ask but I'm pretty certain your hosts wouldn't mind. I always take toiletries with me, fussy about what I use especially shampoo/conditioner, but hosts generally say to feel free to use the stuff that's there and I would if I'd forgotten anything. I have a guest bathroom, again, guests usually bring their own but I leave shower gel, shampoo and toothpaste in there just in case and if they need anything else I always tell them to just ask and I'll bring mine from the master bathroom.

Helbelle75 · 15/02/2017 11:38

I don't have a problem with people using my stuff and don't think i'd notice! I usually leave toiletries in the spare room anyway, and tell our guests to make themselves at home.
Not so much at home as to leave posted in the toilet (3 times!) though. These were exchange guests. We won't be inviting them back....

ChocChocPorridge · 15/02/2017 11:43

Family certainly, friend probably if left out.

If I leave stuff out, it's fine to use it, it's there to be used.

OpheliaHamlet · 15/02/2017 11:43

I wouldn't be upset if guests used mine, but if I was staying at someone else's I would still ask. It's just polite.

liz70 · 15/02/2017 11:43

You'd be welcome to use anything you find in our bathroom. However, some people don't seem to know the meaning of the word "hospitality", so that might not be the case everywhere you visit.

KungFuEric · 15/02/2017 11:45

I think it depends what the stuff is. If it's a regular shampoo which is less than £3 a bottle then it would be fine, but I know people who buy £22 shampoo and would be pissed off if their brother or your husbands work mate took a big dollop of it.

SukeyTakeItOffAgain · 15/02/2017 11:45

I would use other people's and I'd be fine with them using mine.

KirstyJC · 15/02/2017 11:45

Wow - I would never assume I could use another person's toiletries! Loo roll yes, anything else no way! I have expensive facewash on the side of the bath but would be furious if anyone else used it. If you know you are staying at someone else's house then you pack your own stuff.

It would never have occurred to me that anyone would do this! Unless you are staying unexpectedly of course, which might be different (ie you pulled someone who stayed over) but even then I would ask and expect them to.

KirstyJC · 15/02/2017 11:46

Not that I would mind if they asked for shower gel/toothpaste, and I would happily share that, but that it honestly wouldn't occur to me that they wouldn't have packed their own!

ThroughThickAndThin01 · 15/02/2017 11:46

I leave loads of nice stuff for people to use in the shower/bath, so yes I would assume I could use other people's.

JaxingJump · 15/02/2017 11:46

Oh for gods sake. People are very precious! Do you need permission to use the toilet roll too? Or walk on the carpet?