What Kind Of Short Term Guest Are You?
By RenaeT
@RenaeT (681)
United States
March 27, 2007 4:52pm CST
My husband and I just had to say goodbye to a couple of friends who came to see us. They have been traveling around in their motor home. To be honest, I was almost dreading their arrival because I'm in the middle of a job hunt and have been having a lot of trouble with headaches and neck pain. Well, they left today... stayed only 3 days. They were the MODEL guests. It made me wonder how other people look at themselves as a short term guest in someone's home.
They helped me cook, helped me with laundry, (which I was almost uncomfortable about) helped clean up the kitchen, they ate their breakfast in their motor home and did not come into our house until I opened the garage door. They picked up after themselves, and were wonderful to have around. Seriously, they were the model guests!
When I stay at someone's home over night, I try very hard to be considerate, quiet, clean up after myself, ask before using anything of theirs and take my shoes off in the house. I hope that when I stay as a guest, my hostesses feel like I was more a blessing than a bother while I was there. Our company that just left today were definitely a blessing!
My own mother is a slob when she visits me. Yet, when I go to her home, she gets mad if anything is left laying around. I think that's a double standard and probably has more to do with her control issues than anything! LOL!!
4 responses
@mamasan34 (6518)
• United States
30 Mar 07
I try to do the same when I am visiting someone. Often I offer to give them a break and cook dinner for them to thank them for their hospitality or take them out to dinner. I always ask if I can use something if need be, I don't want them to think I am a bother while at their home. I have had good and bad guests in my home! My parents are very good, my mother sometimes to a fault. If I cook she will go behind me and clean the kitchen then start trying to help me clean the house. I tell her she is here to relax and visit and to let me do the work. I had a bad guest when I was married to my former husband. His sister in law was just awful! I couldn't have been more happy to see her leave. I hate to say that, because I always try to make everyone feel welcome in my home. She took over my kitchen, criticized my cooking and then when she left our home, she went to my ex mother in law and told her I was a pig and I didn't clean and I didn't know how to cook. I was absolutely heart broken when I heard this. I keep a very clean home and am very gracious, I couldn't understand why someone would do something like that. So, needless to say, we never invited them to visit again. So, those are two examples of good and bad!
1 person likes this
@RenaeT (681)
• United States
30 Mar 07
Oh my goodness. . . your ex sister in law sounds like my mom! I hate saying that because I shouldn't talk smack about my mom, but it's true. My mom leaves everything all over the place when she comes, shoes, bags, clothes, leaves the bathroom a mess with all her stuff on the counter and never puts it away. Does NOT ever help clean, and will invariably tell my sister that I was not a good hostess. Needless to say, my mom has not come to my home in about 8 years. And, I have not been to hers in 6 years!
My sister doesn't even like for her to visit her for one afternoon, unfortunately, they live in the same town. I live 1300 miles away. Whew!
@cabergren (1181)
• United States
28 Mar 07
I am usually unconfortable having people stay with us. My husbands parents usually come once a year and stay for a whole week. By the time they finally leave I just can't wait to for them to go. Don't get me wrong they are wonderful people, but they usually don't do anything or go anywhere and just sit around my house and drive me crazy. My husband gets to go to work and I get stuck with his parents. I usually don't like staying at others people houses. I would rather stay at a hotel. I feel more comfortable. I guess I am just weird that way.
@RenaeT (681)
• United States
28 Mar 07
You are not weird at all! I would MUCH rather stay in a hotel too! I love my own space. I even stay at a hotel when I go visit my kids and grandkids. So, I don't think you are weird at all. I understand also about being the one to be 'stuck' with the company while your husband goes to work! I've had that issue too. Although, my mother in law is like a real mom to me, actually she and I are closer than my real mom and me, so it's cool. She has stayed with us before for a week and she is also a very good guest. I'm blessed!!
@tishabest (602)
• Belgium
27 Mar 07
Wonderful guests! I also do everything I can to help my hosts and I think it is only normal not only to clean up after ourselves but to help out with other stuff too. It's just the way I was educated.
@crazynurse (7482)
• United States
27 Mar 07
I am like you in that when I am a house guest of someone I try my best to help as much as I can. When I have guests I really want them to be neat and tidy. Beyond that, I don't mind anything else! (well, I don't want them to smoke in my home). I have been fortunate that all of my guests have always been model guests.
