Having the opportunity to stay at someone’s house is a great way to enjoy the company of others without having to stay in a hotel. Read below to learn a few etiquette suggestions to make things easier on your host and improve the chances you’ll be invited back in the future.
Give a Gift
Show your appreciation for being welcomed into a host’s home by presenting him or her with a thoughtful gift such as a bottle of wine, or gourmet food made in your town. A present like that is sure to be appreciated, and perhaps you and your host can enjoy the treat together.
Be Respectful of Property
After arriving, you’ll likely be given a few basic rules about what’s expected during your stay. Make sure to follow all of them, but go further by leaving your room at least as clean as it was when you came. You can also show good manners by offering to do things like emptying the wastebasket in your room or taking your bed sheets to the laundry room and beginning the wash cycle before leaving.
Treat Your Host to Dinner
Even if you stay at a person’s house for only a couple of days, it’s still considered good manners to take him or her out to dinner. That eases the burden of having to accommodate for your dietary needs, and also gives you a great chance to socialize away from home. Furthermore, consider making your own plans for a night or two as a way to give your host a night off from keeping you entertained.
Pet Etiquette
It’s generally not considered good manners to bring your pet to another person’s house. Your host may be a fellow animal lover, but that doesn’t mean your pet will naturally get along well with other critters. One exception might be if your pet and your host’s pet already know each other well and love to play together. However, never assume if you’re welcome, your pet will be too. Wait for your host to specifically say it’s okay to bring a pet along.
By following these tips, you can earn a reputation for being a delightful houseguest. They are appropriate whether you’ve stayed at someone’s house many times before or are doing so for the first time.