Avoid Being The Houseguest From Hell

By Author: Steve Robinson
Total Articles: 467
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While cheap airplane tickets and discount hotel rooms or cheap vacation packages are great ways to plan an affordable trip, sometimes you can save even more money by arranging to stay at a relative’s or friend’s home at your destination.

The following are ways to improve your houseguest experience for both you and your host:

• If someone is generous enough to offer you a complementary bed, make certain you go out of your way to make your host’s life a little easier during your visit. Cleaning dishes, making beds, paying for a meal at a restaurant, and/or offering to run errands all are things many hosts might appreciate.

• Make certain that any and everything you do in your host’s house will be appreciated. Some people want things done in very exacting ways and don’t welcome other people’s initiative. Help is only “help” if the host values what is being done.

• Give your host space and time to decompress from work when returning home. Leaving the house for at least four hours every day gives hosts time to deal with their ongoing personal matters.

• If your potential ...
... host lives in an expensive city and has very tight living quarters, consider staying at a hotel and having your friend stay with you.

• Make certain to clean up after yourself, put your clothes away in dressers or closets if available, and do not bring a pet without asking in advance.

• Share your daily plans in advance with your host so that person is not left guessing if you will be dining at home on any given night.

• Don’t show up unannounced, take over the house, make rude comments about the home, make a mess, expect to be entertained and chauffeured, and fail to pick up a check when eating out.

• Consider visiting your host’s home in the off season when guests are more likely to be appreciated.

• Don’t bring friends to stay at your host’s home without clearing it with your host in advance.
Often hosts enjoy having thoughtful, appreciative friends and/or family visit. Smart guests make certain that they are viewed in this light.
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