Whenever I travel, if I stay with a family member or friend, I always try to treat their home as I would want mine treated by a guest. Being a houseguest is an awesome way to save money on travel and bond with your host, however it can become complicated if one does not know the basic rules of being a houseguest. Here are 6 simple things that will always keep you and your host on good home-stay standing.
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- Keep your request simple. Remember that your host still has a household to maintain even during your stay. Try to be respectful of this by keeping your food and accommodation requests simple.
- Lend a hand. It is not cool to expect your host to do all of the work. Help clear the dinner table, offer to wash dishes, and one day, prepare a light lunch.
- Have your own itinerary. Your host may or not be interested in serving as a local tour guide so it is essential that you have your own agenda mapped out before traveling.
- Keep your space tidy. Traveling to someone else’s home is not the optimal time to let your inner clutter-bug shine through. Make sure you keep your bedroom, bathroom, and any other living space as tidy as possible.
- Do not overstay your welcome. Stick to your departure date and time as much as possible. If a longer stay is inevitable, let your host know as soon as possible. Be prepared to spring for your own hotel accommodations if your host is unable to extend their hospitality for the extra days.
- Send a thank you note. Hand written thank you notes are a simple, cost effective, and a very effective way to express gratitude to your host.
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