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

[Smudge612]

I don't mean rummaging in their bathroom cupboards or anything , 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???

expatin A bit late as it's been a busy day.

I get the 'naice' toiletries as gits at Xmas etc. It's not like I can afford them. But once I own them they come out for guests.

If not toiletries then naice stemware. If you break a glass I add it to the Xmas wish list. (If you break 2 you'll get green-stemmed charity shop glasses forever)

I can't imagine people staying over wouldn't use basic toiletries- shower gel, shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, toothpaste or anything else they wanted. I always have a stock in the cupboard and children and children's friends often empty it to take back to university/work etc.
If they are staying over they are welcome to use anything in bathrooms apart from toothbrush (I keep cheap spares).

I am a bit agog at this post. I cannot imagine allowing anyone to stay in my house if I didn't know / like / love/ trust them enough to use my toiletries. Don't us my toothbrush but everything else - wire in!

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Until this thread, I assumed that if you were visiting someone, you would take your own shower gel, shampoo etc. I would never contemplate going somewhere without my own toiletries, and would never assume I could use someone else's. I presumed this was the norm. The only time I would use someone else's, was if I forgotten my own, and then i would ask,first.

I go into several houses a day and am expected to wash hands on arrival at each house.
Should I carry a handwash and stack of towels with me in case I offend anyone?
(The house where the handwash choice was a bottle of fairy liquid or a bar of Dove with a pub on it is still etched in my memory).

Pube not pub. Phone is on censorship mode.

Hand wash I see as different, as it's fairly generic. However, people buy shampoo for,thier own particular need. IE. I have greasy hair shampoo. It's more personnel.

Presumably you aren't a guest, you are there in a work capacity?

I may also have used washing up liquid as hand wash in poorer times

I take miniatures with me and would ask if I had forgotten something or was staying unexpectedly. If I'm staying with my parents or sister, I'd use shampoo/shower stuff without asking and expect them to do the same. If I had a guest, I would ask them if they needed something/offer but think it normal for them to bring toiletries if it's a planned visit. I had a friend who was amazing at catering for unexpected guests, down to new toothbrushes and packs of M&S knickers...that's hospitality!!

Can't believe how uptight some people on this thread are.. I really hope my friends are as laid back as me and don't start counting the sheets of toilet paper once I've left.

My toiletries are round the bath, but also fairly expensive... I get slightly pissed off when DH decides that "it looked nice" and fancied trying some, let alone a guest that is too lazy to bring their own when they're staying over.

Although strangely, if they asked, I probably wouldn't actually say no

I always remind friends coming to stay not to bring toiletries, esp if they are flying with just hand luggage. It would be polite to ask before coming if you're not sure as others might not be as laid back as me! Some people are a bit precious about the £50 shampoo?!

If someone is staying in your house then u can hardly begrudge them using shower gel or shampoo. The same for making making breakfast or snacks. If u can't handle it then y shouldn't have guests staying in ur house.

I have a basket of mini toiletries for guests including toothbrushes and mini toothpaste. I draw guests attention to those. I'd be a bit surprised if they used mine tbh.

I just can't believe how much people spend. Fifty quid on bloody shampoo FFS Does your hair actually look that much better? Insanity.

Tbf I have been known to use washing up liquid if I run out of cheap shampoo - works just as well

How much are people paying for their shampoo and shower gel, to be bothered by guests using it? Surely these are people you actually like if they're staying in your home.
I wouldn't think twice about using toiletries at my friends and I know they wouldn't at mine. Hell, one of my friends only ever brings clean underwear and a toothbrush, when ever she stays she borrows everything of mine.
Although on the first holiday me and my boyfriend went on, he asked if I had any aftersun or moisturiser, I said there was some in the bathroom. Then walked in to find him using my rather expensive face cream all over. I was a bit at that! The body mostituriser was right next to him.

I've stayed at SIL and DB's flat and asked for some bath foam and they told me to use their super expensive L'Occitane lavande bath foam. I did ask about that though, as that is expensive and I didn't want to just use it.

There have been occasions where if I'm staying with them I don't fancy dragging full bottles of shampoo and conditioner with me after work on the tube and SIL has always said to me to help myself. If I remember I bring my own travel sized shampoo etc.

The thing which I do have to remember to buy or bring is styling product as SIL doesn't use it and DB only uses some thick wax/putty!

As SIL and DB know though they use my stuff or the guest stuff.

When they stay with my DM too SIL uses my DM's shampoo generally but my mum doesn't mind a bit. Especially for an overnight stay.

I do get why you asked Super, but imagine if they had said no?!

'Am I alright to use the L'Occitane stuff on the side of the bath? It's all I could see on there...'

'No, sorry. We've got some Tesco Value stuff we keep for guests.'

I'd be mortified!

We have house guests tonight. Totally over thinking what I put out for them now. I've put my one beloved Jo Malone candle in their room and the largest, fluffier stack of towels you've ever seen. And bought cheap dressing gowns and slippers.

Obviously I move in the wrong circles! I've never encountered a 'basket of toiletries' or a 'basket of slippers' or a 'basket of san pro' in anyone's home I've been in. All these artisanal baskets must be keeping IKEA in business.

Are we the only family that doesn't use shower gel but uses soap?

Me too expat. If I found a basket of "sanpro" in any bedroom I was staying it at a friend's, I'd think "hmmm, bit bloody weird". The most I've encountered is a clean towel on the bed. Which is fine obviously.

I only ever specifically give towels.

The rest of the commonly used stuff is in the bathroom in full sight for anyone to use, should they need it. If anyone needs anything, they can ask if I have it.