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Comments (15)
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Save/ShareCrashing with family or friends? Budget Travel asked etiquette experts to weigh in with tips on how to be the perfect houseguest—you know, the kind that hosts invite back. (See our article "The Delicate Art of Mooching.")
The following three bonus tips are specifically aimed at families:
If You've Got a Baby, Use a Changing Pad
It doesn't matter if you change diapers anywhere and everywhere in your own home. "When you're in someone else's house, use a changing pad, even on top of a bedspread or a rug," says Norine Dresser, author of Multicultural Manners: Rules of Etiquette for the 21st Century. "Doing otherwise can be incredibly offensive."
Keep Snack Time Sacred
If the host's kids aren't allowed snacks at certain times, do your best to make your own children abide—or at least sneak them something on the side, so as not to upset anybody. (Just don't get caught!)
Don't Spoil Everyone's Good Time
Disciplining children is tricky business when you're a guest in someone's home. No one wants to hear parents yelling at their children non-stop. "Don't scold your children in front of everyone else," says June Hines Moore, author of Manners Made Easy for the Family. "Take them away from the game or the dinner table to make your point. But you must discipline them. Your hosts may consider it rude if you're not correcting your children as to proper behavior."
For more tips, see our article "The Delicate Art of Mooching."
And feel free to chime in with your own etiquette tips.
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Remember that fish and house guests stink after three days so never overstay your welcome.
Posted By Tom B. on September 10, 2009, 12:50 PM
Children need to learn proper etiquette and manners. And those can be taught anywhere. When we travel (with four youngsters) we try to find a timeshare close to the people we'll be visiting. We can be with our friends or family during the day, but at night - with a sigh of relief for everyone - we go our way and they go theirs. A timeshare gives us plenty of space, plus the fully-equipped kitchen. So, we can invite our "hosts" to our "home," too. It works Great! Our favorite timeshare company is http://www.redweek.com because they have so many timeshares available for rent all over the country.
Posted By Kathleen on September 11, 2009, 12:15 PM
Some people have very putrid smelling feet and I insist that anyone visiting my home remove their shoes. The problem with some guest with foul smelling feet is that they can't take off their shoes and then run their feet through my carpet making it smell bad, nor can they walk through my house with dirty shoes leaving dirt inside the carpet! I suggest that a good houseguest bring their own house slipper that completely surrounds the entire offending foot area. Perhaps they can wrap their feet in plastic baggies and then insert the foot into a house sock/slipper that way it would not emit any smell, nor would anyone see the the plastic, so they wouldn't be embarassed. Good houseguest can also bring their own airfreshner and spray the foot area of the bed, so that the foot of the bed and the linens don't stink.
Posted By val on September 11, 2009, 2:08 PM
Tom B - perfectly put, i agree with your fish comment wholeheartedly.
Very important - give your hosts space - they don't want you in their face every second. and make your own plans - don't give your hosts the responsibility of planning your vacation for you!
On the flip-side - here's a handy article about how to be a good host!
http://matadorlife.com/8-simple-ways-to-be-a-great-host/
Posted By Katie, Tripbase on September 14, 2009, 5:28 AM
I agree we have a 2 year old son and always take a changing pad with us. I hate to see others not doing this.
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