What kind of guest are you?

I was just looking in the Pet Hates thread and saw what Shirena had said about having a guest to stay. Because we are over here we are the base for alot of family and friends who come over to travel and see us. Most are pretty good but we have had some nightmare ones too.

I was always taught if someone was putting you up then you help out as much as possible so you aren't a burden. For example, keep your area where you are staying tidy (make your bed, keep luggage/clothes away and tidy), clear your own dishes, do the dishes if your host has cooked, try to help by offering to make meals/clean/wash your towels etc.

We just had some people stay for a couple of weeks and they pretty much treated it like a hotel. The room they were in was a tip. We provided all the food, I cooked all the meals and did all the dishes. I washed and dried and bloody well folded all their laundry. They didn't even take their plates into the kitchen when they had finished the meals I had cooked them! I got the idea that they had been taught that they were 'guests' so basically we were to wait on them hand and foot. I felt more like, we were saving them thousands of dollars in accommodation so they should have helped out more. I know I'm a bit of a mug and probably should have said something but it didn't bother me too much- I was just surprised at the behaviour more than anything. I would never ever behave like that if I were someone's guest.

We've also had one guy that left the room full of rubbish- boxes and packaging from bits he'd bought through duty free and instead of putting it in the bin he just left the room strewn with it. He also kept taking our chopping board with food he'd helped himself to, into the lounge and leaving it on the coffee table then bugg*ring off (with sharp knives sitting where the girls could reach ). Not to mention losing our map and not replacing it- and logging me out of all my internet accounts grrrrrr!

At least I've learnt how to be a considerate guest now! I think I was pretty good anyway- but now I'm really aware of not putting out your hosts. Just wondering what you guys consider good guest etiquette?

We have a similar situation in our family, but the other way around. We have a lot of family and friends still in the UK that come out to stay with us or the extended family. To be honest I find that family are the worse, friends tend to be a lot more considerate and helpful. My real pet peeve is when family members come to stay with my mum & stepfather and dont pay their way. My mum & stepdad always go out of their way to show people around NZ / Auckland and will do lots of driving them around etc, it really bothers me if people dont offer to help with petrol money or similar. I also think that if you are staying for any length of time that you should offer to contribute financially for food. My poor old mum is always left struggling financially after people have stayed with them!

My other pet peeve is when family in the UK give our names / numbers / contact details to people they know coming to NZ on holiday (seems to particulary be young people on their OEs - people that they know but we DONT know or have NEVER met!) and just expect us to be hospitable to them and in some cases provide accomodation / tour guide services. I find it really annoying.

When we moved to the UK, we stayed with my Great Aunt & Uncle for a few weeks until we found a flat, but we hired a car to get ourselves there (we didnt expect someone to pick us up from the airport), we put money into the pot for food / bills etc, and made sure that we kept the room clean and tidy and washed the sheets and towels before we left.

We have a family member who hops onto the internet everytime he comes to our house, he just assumes he can use one of our laptops, and downloads music etc like crazy as we have broadband and he cant get it as his place. I have learnt not to let it bother me, but it can be realyl antisocial sometimes!

 

I stayed at my sisters bosses place a few weeks ago. The next morning I stripped all the beds that we had slept in and my sister did the washing then we remade the beds again. All the dishes we used we washed and put away. It was just common curtersy to me.

The only place would I be like would be when I go to my parents place. But it wouldn't be that bad, and even if they didn't want any money from me for food I would still go and buy some. I'd do the dishes and the washing while I was there.

I think Im pretty house trained as a guest...............Back me up Emma!!!!

I ALWAYS make sure I help out when staying with others. Especially when having kids as well, make sure they are careful with the hosts property/belongings, clean up their mess & provide my own food for them. I will always turn up with groceries, then buy more once I'm there. Will do the dishes & make sure my sleeping space is tidy & strip the bed after our last sleep in it, & remake it with clean sheets.

I can't stand it when people stay & make it more of a burden to have them, than enjoyable. It will always cost the host to have you, as you're using their power etc, so I try to make it as hassle-free otherwise for them having us.

It depends where I go visit and for how long. If I stay for a weekend I will offer to take them out one evening or at least get something towards a meal.

I will help with cooking as well as cleaning up afterwards. And definately join in the conversation at least.

If I will stay for longer than that and the host doesnt allow me to get anything or pay for anything I will give them either vouchers at the end of my stay or get them something I know they really want (but most propably vouchers). Definately help with cleaning and general stuff around the house. Will however not try and take over as I know some people dont like other people do certain household chores but definately will say What can I do to help.

What I wont do. lol. Told you guys I was going to complain more. Stay in my room not talk to anyone, not at least chat to the person making your food, totally sleep till late afternoon, then not make your bed, or even change sheets every so often, not take plates through to the kitchen, leave recycling in the kitchen for the poor woman to do all the work taking it downstairs, complain about food or making suggestions for you to take a break and rather get take aways but not offering to pay for it. Need me to go on?

Really it is hard sometimes having longterm guests in your house no matter how close they are to you. You need your own space so I most propably generally will try and be as much help as possible without being overbearing.

i always help out when i'm a guest somewhere......cooking, cleaning up, contributing to food etc   watch the kids don't destroy anything and keep their hands clean to avoid disaster