Staying over at someone else’s place? Follow these 10 easy tips on how to be the best houseguest ever, so you’re invited back in the future!
Are you in a long distance relationship, and you’re finally flying for an epic stay over at your lover’s abode? Or maybe you’re just staying the night at a new girlfriend’s down the road? Maybe you’ve just finally decided to pay an old friend a visit in their new city? Whether your intentions are romantic or not, there are certain rules to be followed when it comes to being a perfect guest in someone’s home.
Even if you’ve already been to someone’s home before, the act of coming over for a visit and coming to spend several nights has a completely different vibe. You’ll be sticking around for more than just a meal and some catching up, and there will be times when the homeowner won’t be around to fuss over you.
How to be a great guest in someone’s home
Follow these houseguest tips and tricks to be sure you’ll be invited over and over again!
#1 Travel plans – let them know what’s going on. One of the top rules of being a fantastic houseguest? Always make sure your host knows what’s going on – especially when arriving! Nothing’s going to get your visit off to an awkward start more than having your friend wait around an extra 2 hours for your late plane to arrive.
Have a clear itinerary sent over to your host before you arrive, so they’ll know exactly what they’re in for. Remember, your host has a life and they’ll be rearranging it for little old you, so show some courtesy.
#2 Don’t smother your host. Even if you’re coming in to play snuggle-buddy with your LDR partner or to enjoy the sights and sounds of the city with your friendly host, you still want to make sure you’re not smothering them or demanding to be entertained. Since you’ll be sharing a living space with your host, you might feel obligated to be around them 24/7, but that doesn’t have to be the case.
Obviously, you’re going to want to spend copious amounts of time together, but feel free to chill out on your own, too. Your partner likely has a job and they are going to have to leave you alone sometimes. Be independent, and let them know they don’t have to worry about you being bored while they’re away.
#3 Clean up after yourself. This one’s a no-brainer. If you’re a guest in someone’s house, you’re going to want to leave their space as if you were never there. Read: CLEAN! No leaving tissues on nightstands, or your clothes thrown about the room. You’re not 16, so keep tidy! This shows your host you respect not only them but their space as well.
#4 Don’t snoop. If you’re the nosy or curious type, it may seem tempting to rummage through your partner’s or your friend’s things, especially if this is your first visit to their humble abode. Don’t do it! Show your host they can trust you by leaving their private belongings alone! [Read: 12 things you do that will make your partner think you’re a stalker]
#5 Contribute when you can. This isn’t suggesting you leave $20 on the counter every night, but be courteous and contribute to the household when you can. Some great ways to show your appreciation for your host and their gracious home is by offering to make dinner, wash dishes, clean up, and by making your bed up every morning *unless you’re too busy doing other things in it!*.
#6 Watch your Wi-Fi usage. Not everyone has unlimited Internet every month, so be sure you check with your host whether you should be concerned about your internet usage. Take note: Porn and torrents are never okay to stream or download while you’re a guest at someone else’s house – no, not even your girlfriend’s!
#7 Be flexible. You may have a certain idea of how your time at your friend or partner’s house is going to be spent. In fact, you may have a detailed list of all the things you want to do while visiting, but don’t be surprised if things do go exactly the way you planned *do they ever?*. Show a willing spirit and flexible attitude if your host gets called in to work or has other ideas of how to spend your time together. [Read: 18 ways to be more spontaneous in life]
#8 Don’t overstay your welcome. Your partner may have greeted you with a loving embrace and powerfully declared, “Stay as long as you want!” But this is rarely a true statement. Even if you can’t get enough of one another, you still want to be mindful of overstaying your welcome or overstepping your boundaries. Keep an eye on those non-verbal cues from your host to see if it’s about time you headed back home. [Read: 10 obvious signs guys give away when they want more space]
#9 Leave a card and/or gift. Even if you are in a super-close romantic relationship or you’ve been best friends since you were in diapers, it’s always thoughtful for you to leave a little parting gift when your stay is up. A bottle of wine, a small gift basket, or a box of chocolates are all acceptable. If you’re not the gift-buying type, just be sure to leave a little thank you note for your host to let them know how much you appreciated their hospitality.
#10 Extend the offer. If you are in a long distance relationship, taking turns visiting one another is a great way to keep the spending fair, and to get to know each other’s spaces and friends. Assuming your stay was full of snuggles, sex, late night conversations, and lots of laughter, always remember to extend the offer to your lover to stay at your place next! Of course, this also goes for friends who were kind enough to let you stay at their place.
[Read: Sleeping over 101 – How to make things run smoothly]
It should never be hard to show courtesy when you’re staying at someone else’s house free of charge. Have fun during your stay, and remember to show off your best side while staying at your host’s!
