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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think nobody really likes house guests?

148 replies

FunnysInLaJardin · 27/12/2023 20:41

My sister has been here for 4 days, and we get on really well, but even so I found the extra person in my home a little difficult.

Turns out the psychology says we dont generally like house guests invading our space at a very primal level. Who knew!

OP posts:
Original poster
FunnysInLaJardin · 27/12/2023 20:43

Although the flip side seems to be folk who will stay for weeks. Why would you want to do that? I couldn’t bear it and would have to stay in a hotel

OP posts:
Hoglet70 · 27/12/2023 20:44

I hate people staying. On one level it's because I'm emetophobic and I always think people are going to throw up but also I like the way we do things and I am set in my ways and other people just get in the way and annoy me. I do sound horrible!

NorthernPoppetPrincess · 27/12/2023 20:44

Yep I totally agree with you! We don’t have an extra bedroom either which I see as a plus - no one can stay cos there’s no room 🤣

DryIce · 27/12/2023 20:45

I like having people stay! I live away from my family though

ivfbabymomma1 · 27/12/2023 20:45

We have a spare room and I really really wish we didn't! I hate over night guests!!!!!

BotherThat · 27/12/2023 20:45

I both dislike having houseguests and being a houseguest.

justalittlesnoel · 27/12/2023 20:46

I feel like an alien in my own home when I have some house guests 😂

One has just left (also my sister!) and I genuinely felt like a fake person in my own home, it was super weird!

Hoglet70 · 27/12/2023 20:46

@NorthernPoppetPrincess Haha us too. I refuse to move to a bigger house!

DappledThings · 27/12/2023 20:46

It's nice for a few days. It's different to the everyday, DC love seeing their cousins and having GPs staying.

It's a bit disruptive but in a nice way.

But then I'm not one of those MNers who find a knock at the door an outrageous event.

SummerSazz · 27/12/2023 20:46

Well, I like it 🤷‍♀️

BlazingWorld · 27/12/2023 20:47

I like having people to stay. Not four days though.

ComtesseDeSpair · 27/12/2023 20:47

I quite like house guests. It’s nice to be able to spend time with friends and family late into the evening without being limited by having to catch the last train and to do leisurely things throughout the day without having to think about cramming it all in.

I think it probably also depends a lot on the styles of your guests guesting and yours as a host hosting. Virtually all of the people we host and who we are guests to are very laid back and just happy to “be”, so it doesn’t feel like being “on” all the time and is less exhausting.

NorthernPoppetPrincess · 27/12/2023 20:47

Hoglet70 · 27/12/2023 20:46

@NorthernPoppetPrincess Haha us too. I refuse to move to a bigger house!

Someone once offered to stay on our bedroom floor on a blow up bed. Ffs, no! 🙈

Whu · 27/12/2023 20:48

I like it. But just for up to 3 nights. Wouldn’t want much longer!

Icantbedoingwithit · 27/12/2023 20:48

Absolutely hate it. Being a guest or hosting, rather stick pins in my eyes. Literally.

SummerSazz · 27/12/2023 20:49

My last house guest decorate my tree and wrapped all my Christmas presents 😂

mrmagpie · 27/12/2023 20:49

NorthernPoppetPrincess · 27/12/2023 20:44

Yep I totally agree with you! We don’t have an extra bedroom either which I see as a plus - no one can stay cos there’s no room 🤣

We have a tiny house and three children, there's never any room for guests and I'm keeping it that way!!

AhBiscuits · 27/12/2023 20:49

I hate house guests and being a house guest.
We just got home after a few days staying with inlaws. My 7 yr old was like
It's so nice being in our house.

I think we are happiest in our space with our immediate family.

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 27/12/2023 20:49

I don’t really like it. I don’t really like being a guest either!

tdino · 27/12/2023 20:49

I know what you mean.

I actually prefer it on holiday, so,times we have had an extra room and had people. That's easier. I think the day to day grind with extras is to much for me mentally

Direstraightsagain · 27/12/2023 20:50

I love having houseguest for a few nights. 3 night rule though. Sadly my husband hates it. So we don’t do it as much as I’d like.

Kirkeee · 27/12/2023 20:50

I hate people staying. On one level it's because I'm emetophobic and I always think people are going to throw up

Is the threat of vomit really so large?

coxesorangepippin · 27/12/2023 20:50

We don't have a guest bedroom, and like it that way

coloursquare · 27/12/2023 20:51

Hoglet70 · 27/12/2023 20:44

I hate people staying. On one level it's because I'm emetophobic and I always think people are going to throw up but also I like the way we do things and I am set in my ways and other people just get in the way and annoy me. I do sound horrible!

I'm not emetophobic but for some reason I always worry about an entire household of say 9 people coming down with a tummy bug at the same time and fighting over the loos all night GrinGrinGrin

pattyparsnip · 27/12/2023 20:51

Hoglet70 · 27/12/2023 20:44

I hate people staying. On one level it's because I'm emetophobic and I always think people are going to throw up but also I like the way we do things and I am set in my ways and other people just get in the way and annoy me. I do sound horrible!

Oh god I thought It was just me . I secretly hate people staying in case they throw up especially kids . It's such a relief when people go home , couldn't host for more than one night .