How to be a Great Houseguest

We're in Thailand, recovered from jetlag and our stupendariffic 2 month trip home.  I'll keep you in suspense another day about the delicious-ness that is street food in Thailand and the place we're calling home for a month or 2 or 3.

After 2.5 years around the world, a 2 month sojourn home was so needed. I'm so grateful to have strengthened bonds with people I missed so dearly and to have made new traveler friends. Essential to visiting home, was countless people driving us places, cooking for us, and of course, having us stay the night. To be precise - because I like my stats - we crashed on 10 couches, beds, and futons.

More about having a great visit home to come later in the week, here I bring you: 5 ways to be a great house guest:

Leave things cleaner than you found them.
It might sound super 'girl scout', but if your sister's coming home to find you there, she'll be much happier to see you if you're not pulling a pigpen leaving clouds of dirt everywhere. Be sure to tidy up in the kitchen every time you use it, even if it's not your mess. Dry up those puddles in the bathroom after you shower. Even if your clean-up efforts go unnoticed, it's much better than your messes getting noticed.

Keep your stuff in one spot.
Unless you're living it up with a private bathroom and ample hang-out room, it's best to keep your stuff in one spot, and not roaming around around someone else's house. Don't leave your shoes where people will trip over them, and keep your toothbrush in your bag, no one wants it accidentally

Graciously accept kindness.
I once heard someone say, "You can't give a gift unless someone accepts it." And applies well to the realm of hosueguests. Sometimes it can feel overwhelming to accept the generosity of someone welcoming you into their home and sharing their food and family, but keep in mind that this kindness (most likely) brings your host a lot of joy, and it's a compliment to you that they trust you. If a host is sharing their world with you, encouraging you to try a new food, and making you feel at home with them, you're giving them the opportunity to share.

Don't overstay your welcome.
The key here is communication and being on good behavior. With some people 2 days might infringe on their hospitality, with others, after 2 months you might still be welcome to stay another 2. So be sure to get a feel before you arrive how long they'd be willing to have you. It's also a good idea after you're there a few days to be sure you're not cramping their style too much, and it's okay to keep on as you are. Unless you know your host really well, ask before you presume. You don't want to accidentally eat someone's lunch from the fridge or stay out late keeping your host up past bedtime. Make your momma proud, and try to put your hosts' needs before yours.

Show you're appreciation.
The others can all fit into this one, and it's the most important of all. Whether with words, by spending your time with your hosts or giving a gift, it's crucial to genuinely thank your host. For every gesture you notice, there's probably at least one gesture you don't notice like making extra space for you, smoothing out plans with roommates, etc. So bring a little something along that your guests might like, their favorite food or something neat from where you're traveling from. You don't need to spend a lot of money, and you can even be creative with giving. I like to cook dinner for my hosts; even if it's not gourmet, it's a guest chef in their kitchen. Some personaly token can go a long way.

I borrowed the idea from fellow traveller, Sherry Ott, to give the gift of pet photos. Here are some Kitty Glamor Shots we've taken. Big or small, going out of your way to say thank you can go a long way.


Remember to keep in mind that as a houseguest the most important thing is to stay on good terms with the people you're staying with. It's worth going out of your way to be tidy and considerate so as not to botch things up. And if it goes well, you just might have a couch to crash on again when you pass through town the next time.

Have other tips for making a great houseguest?