How to Be A Great House Guest, Part Two
Saturday, May 3, 2008 at 03:21PM Having just spent the last four days in Nashville at board meetings for Folk Alliance International, and also as a house guest, I thought that it would be prudent to write more about being a house guest. 
First of all, most of you have a cel phone, so be certain to keep your host or hostess in the loop. If the plane is delayed or if you are going to be later than you told them for any reason, let them know. If they are gracious enough to let you stay there, then they are gracious enough to alter their lives a little to accommodate your visit. Don’t hang them up.
Secondly, always bring a little something if you can. It doesn’t have to be much, just a demonstration that you were thinking of them before you got there. A bottle of wine, a bouquet of flowers, a book that you know they would like--just something. Whenever I don’t do it, I feel weird. It is a wonderful gift that they are offering, so demonstrate your gratitude.
Get to your space in their home and keep everything in that space. I have said this before but it is really important to remember and to put into practice. Keep Consolidated. This is their space and you are invading it. Think about how people behave in an elevator. They all make their space and move if someone gets too close. Magnify that need when you are their guest in their actual home and not just a space in an elevator. Keep Consolidated. This also helps when you are leaving, as you don’t have to go all over their home looking for all your stuff.
It has been my habit, whenever possible, to come in a day early for the gig. This is a perfect opportunity to take your host/hostess to dinner; someplace that they love or get them to pick the place. Make certain that you pay the check. Sometimes I actually excuse myself as though I am going to the bathroom and then corner the wait person and give them my credit card, so there is never any chance for your hosts to take over the bill.
If taking them to dinner is a bit much for your budget, then learn to cook something and do that for them. You buy the groceries and you cook it. People seem to love being cooked for in their own home. And there are lots of simple dishes that don’t take more than thirty minutes to prepare that are delicious. If you can’t find any, email me and I’ll give you some of my recipes.
If you start to read something in their library, even if it is a magazine, do not take it with you unless they invite you to do so. And then make certain that you mail it back with a thank you note. People are always amazed when I return a book, particularly through the mail. Most folks, just never return a book they borrow, but I pride myself on getting it back to them.
Bathroom etiquette is very important. If they have a glass shower door, make certain that you squeegee down the glass when you get out. If they don’t have a squeegee, then use a washcloth. And always use a washcloth when you are washing yourself in their shower. They don’t want to find your pubes on their soap; makes a bad impression, trust me.
Keep the door closed while you are in there and make certain that you can come out of there without embarrassing them; robe or pants and shirt. When you sit down in there, make certain the fan is on, or the window is open and if they have those dreadful little aerosol things, spray it. Just hold your breath, as they don’t do great things to humans. Numbs the olfactory senses I have heard. And make certain that you flush and that you don’t leave any paper floating in there. As the American Indians say, leave no footprint, particularly with caca on it.
Strip your bed of the sheets and pillowcases. Put all your dirty linen together with your towels and washcloth and bring it all down to the laundry room. Let them know it’s down there so that the washcloth or wet towels do not turn into living, stinky things.
Call them when you get safely to your next destination to let them know that you’ve arrived and thank them again for their hospitality. And send them a note. Email if you must, but an actual post is pretty great.
And finally, when you are bucks up, think about the folks that have helped you on the way. Just send them a basket of fruit or a wine and cheese basket; something to demonstrate your gratitude and something that arrives in their lives when they aren’t helping you. It will knock their socks off and they will always be glad to see you.
Reader Comments (10)
As I am never at a loss for words here are some...
WHile my favorite gift generally speaking is cash...I have found that if I am staying at someones house for whatever reason...that cash isnt the best way to say "thank you"...I think the more personal the betterthat's not to say it has to be so specific that you drive yourself crazy finding a gift...If I'm buying for whatever reason...beauty and simplicity ranks at the top...
I read years ago in Ann Landers Column that the most comfortable beds arent always the newest and the best policy is to make the bed rather than strip it...just my few cents
Bobby
Hey James,
Great to see you on your trip here in Nashville. The concert at the Bluebird was FANTASTIC!! You sounded great and it seemed you had lots of fun. Thanks for that!
Also, maybe we could have one of your recipes (your favorite) here on the blog. Then maybe we can contribute with some of ours.
Peace
bobby, thanks for the post. ann landers not withstanding, i have found that stripping the bed is a better way to go. and most of my hosts have agreed. but follow your instincts and you also can always ask. i have found that when you ask they always say "don't worry about it", so i just strip the bed.
andrew glad that you liked the show in nashville. i had a great time doing it and the audience sure seemed to dig it. i actually sold some cd's without even trying.
as for recipes, i cook almost all the meals in my home, almost every day, so my favorite recipe is usually trying to come up with something new. i seem to have a gift for combining foods with each other. and i always put a little less salt than i like. seems the safe way to go. i'll do some recipes for you tho, and soon too. &)
Hi James,
All I can say is that you are one of the most considerate people on the planet. Your mom raised you well. Having you for a guest would be like a vacation for me. I'm kinda like the maid around here. Can't wait to get some of your recipes to try on my family.
Diane
diane, you are the second person to ask for my recipes in the last two days...hmmm.
nice
Hi
Watch house online for free. Updated weekly watch your favorite house
episodes from all seasons over and over again.
http://www.house-online-episodes.com
Gruss
Dr.House
http://ur1.ca/0eii6 - zofran 8 mg odt zofran safety during pregnancy zofran during pregnancy using zofran while pregnant zofran and pregancy zofran 80 mg zofran 80 mg zofran use zofran oral zofran generic tigan vs zofran http://ur1.ca/0eihh - zofran odt 8 mg zofran oral zofran medication what is zofran used for zofran iv zofran and zofran generic zofran mechanism of action zofran taper zofran for odt zofran http://ur1.ca/0eihl - what is zofran zofran indication complication zofran drug zofran zofran safety what is zofran used for zofran 4 mg iv zofran generic zofran medication generic zofran morning sickness use zofran http://ur1.ca/0eihn - oxycontin zofran cancer zofran nausea zofran odt and pregnancy zofran 8 mg odt veterinary zofran zofran and medicare zofran and chemotherapy indication zofran effects of zofran taking zofran while pregnant misuse zofran http://ur1.ca/0eihx - effects of zofran zofran medication zofran or ondansetrondirect to consumer buy zofran drug zofran zofran mechanism of action zofran 8 mg zofran side effects about the drug zofran zofran and constipation what is zofran odt
I agree with the post above and I will find more information from google.
conversation, friendly attitude and good hygiene : these stuff makes a great house guest levitra cialis