Be The Guest Everyone Enjoys

Labor Day Weekend is right around the corner. You may be invited to be a weekend guest at the home of a friend, work colleague, relative or client. Here are some tips on how to be a marvelously well-mannered houseguest.

• Be on time. If you are delayed, let your host know.

• Do not treat your friend’s home like a hotel. Be neat. Your host is not your personal maid so make your bed, keep your belongings in the designated guest area, and clean up after yourself in the kitchen and bathrooms.

• Go with the flow. Your host is likely to have planned some activities – graciously go along even if they are not your cup of tea. Who knows, you may discover a new passion.

• Show up with a smile – and keep it on for the duration of the stay. If you are traveling with someone – don’t show up arguing – your host will feel like closing the door instead of letting you both in.

• Come bearing a gift. It is marvelously well-mannered to show your appreciation with a thoughtful gift. Nothing big is necessary - indeed it will make it look like you are trying too hard. Think, something nice like pretty guest soaps, sweets, gourmet olive oil, seasonal fruit, or something that you know your host would appreciate.

• Adapt to the household routine and pitch in when you can. Do your best to comply with your host’s household routine. You may offer to help with household duties but if your host declines your invitation to help – sit back and relax.

• Ask before you use – the television, the home computer, the car, the grill, etc. And no snooping.

• If the host treats you to dinner, accept it graciously – do not fight over the check. Don’t take away their attempt at hospitality. You may offer to treat everyone for coffee, ice cream or lunch on another day.

• Strip the bed before you leave. On the last morning of your stay, do not make the bed. Rather, strip the bed to help your host get her home back in order after you depart.

• Write and mail a thank you note. Always, always, always. A little extra is to send flowers too.

Follow these tips and you are sure to be invited back.

Have a marvelous week - Catherine