You’re Welcome to Stay With Us
The golden rules of being a good house guest
When it comes down to it, nobody aspires to be a bad house guest. Nobody wakes up in a friend or family member’s home with the desire to be the topic of conversation after leaving. Unfortunately, these experiences do happen, but they don’t have to, at least not this holiday season.
The first and most important thing you can do for your host is to let them know when you’ll be coming to stay with them, as soon as possible. Showing up unannounced only works for special kinds of friends. Make every effort to speak with your host about your stay as soon as you begin to think about it, and make both of your lives a lot easier. The longer you wait, the more your host will have to plan around things that they’ve got scheduled during your stay. By letting them know ahead of time, you’re showing them that you respect their time and don’t have any desire to inconvenience them.
Now skip to the part where you’ve arrived. Once at your host’s residence, just like it was important to let your host know when you’ll be arriving, it’s equally important that you leave on the day you say you’re going to leave. Sure, acts of nature happen! Weather and other events can leave you stranded an extra night or two, which your host could understand. But elongating your stay beyond the pre-established expectations can possibly complicate things for your host. Above all, if for whatever reason you need to stay an extra night or two, have an honest conversation with your host as soon as possible, and you should be able to work something out.
When it comes to the etiquette of your day-to-day life during your stay, there are a few things you can do to be a good guest. The small stuff like making your bed, picking up after yourself, and leaving the bathroom clean will all contribute to a good guest experience for you and your host. But there are a few other things you might want to consider while being a house guest this holiday season.
This one might seem obvious, but try to limit your phone usage while being a house guest. An excessive amount of screentime in front of your host can give the impression that you’re not enjoying yourself. Put down the phone for a bit, and engage in intentional face-to-face time. Your phone will be there when you head to your room at the end of the night.
Next, offer to pitch in. Some hosts don’t like to make their guests do the dishes or help in the kitchen at all, but offering to help can show that you are genuinely grateful for their hospitality. It can also show that you’re not there to have someone wait on you. After all, this is a home––not a hotel. Even if they don’t accept your offer, simply asking goes a long way in showing your appreciation. Offer to pitch in, even if it’s something as quick as taking out the trash.
Remember, communication is always key! Being a good houseguest boils down to figuring out the details and setting the expectations for your trip with your host ahead of time. Like any relationship, the one between guest and host thrives on communication. Speak with your host ahead of time and save the both of you any of the trouble this holiday season.
Let Them Eat Cake
Looking for a number or letters cream tart cake made to perfection for a birthday/big event? Stover Cakes right here in Lakeland, FL, have you covered! Stover Cakes specializes in specialty letter/number cakes with a shortbread cookie recipe, for all of your special occasions. Place an order online at stovercakes.com.
New Single from
Michael McArthur
Fall is starting to settle in, the weather feels cooler, and there’s a feeling of slowing down and enjoying natures transition into a new season. To complement the feelings of it all, Michael McArthur’s new single,“Grocery Store Skeletons” is here.
Find @mcarthurmusic on Instagram, Facebook, Spotify