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Ever had a house guest overstay their welcome, sully your dwelling, or generally disrupt your vibe? It isn’t very fun; here’s how to avoid being that person. Remember, you are a guest in someone else’s place and they are doing you a favor by letting you crash there. Even if they are a great friend of many years (especially if they are a great friend who you want to keep), you could detriment that by cramping their style. Be respectful of their living situation. They probably won’t be to happy if you show up, damage their house or things, or their relationships with housemates, landlords, or neighbors.
Let Them Know the Plan
Inform your friend of when you’ll get there, what things you have planned while you’re there, and when you’re leaving. Having someone in your living room and your life with no end date on the horizon can be annoying no matter how cool they are. If the host is a friend then you are probably going to want to catch up. Certainly try to be available and make an offer to do some fun activities together (eating dinner together, or meeting mutual friends). If your friend is busy, just understand and don’t bug them. Letting them know your plans well in advance may, in addition to not leaving them unprepared for your arrival, help them free up some time for hanging out.
Contribute Something
Have wheels? Offer to drive. Do they have a dog? Offer to walk it. Buy beer, cook dinner, sweep up, wash dishes. There are numerous simple tasks that keep a household functioning. The more-permanent dwellers of the residence will surely appreciate it and be happy to have you back again next time.
Respect Boundaries and Space
This is a subtler part of being a good houseguest. Consider their working, social, and living situation and act accordingly. Some people are loud, some people are quiet. It’s good to acknowledge that. Are they unemployed and bored? Plan to head to the beech for some fun. Is their housemate a stickler for a neat kitchen? Put away the dishes when you’re done. Does your friend have to get up at 5 AM for work? Don’t invite your other friends over for late night tequila…
Return the Favor
Be sure to extend the offer to your host of a place to stay when they are near your accommodation (however modest it may be).
Being courteous and considerate of the situation in which host is living, of their housemates, and the general vibe of the place will leave you in the good books and welcome, if not encouraged to return and to stay again.
