10 little etiquette tips to use when you’re a guest in someone’s home

Make sure you go over the dates of your visit with the host in advance, and be sure to respect their schedule. Clear it with your host first if you want to bring anyone else (a date, children, your dog, etc).

Here are 14 obscure etiquette rules you probably break all the time.

Bringing a gift for your host is proper guest etiquette, but you don’t have to spend a ton of money. Try something that you and your host can enjoy together, like a bottle of wine or a box of cookies from your favourite bakery from home. Or bring something their home might need, like stylish towels or a lush pot plant.

Your host not a green thumb? Here are 10 indoor plants you (probably) can’t kill.

Don’t be afraid to clarify traditions that may differ from home to home. Should you take your shoes off when you get inside the house? Should you leave the door locked when you leave? Which dishes can you put in the dishwasher?

Discover 20 things professional organisers would never do in their own homes.

To avoid making your host do more laundry than necessary, stick to using one towel a week. If you know you’ll be going to the beach every day and you’re not sure how many towels your host has at their disposal, pack at least one beach towel of your own.

Discover 13 ways green living can make you healthier.

You can offer to set the table, cook, wash the dishes, fix something around the house, take the dog for a walk, fold laundry, buy groceries, or run to the liquor store. Even if your host refuses the gesture to be polite, it’s the thought that counts. Tasks you should do automatically: clearing your dishes after you’ve finished eating or filling up the tank if you borrow the car.

Bring soap, shampoo and toothpaste from home. You’ll ensure that you have your favourite products and you won’t need to mooch off your host.

Learn 14 bathroom etiquette rules people break all the time – but shouldn’t.

Be especially careful to clean up after yourself in the kitchen, put down the toilet seat, turn the lights off when you leave a room, and close drawers and cabinets after you open them. There’s nothing worse than having to constantly clean up after your guests, so these small acts will show that you’re considerate of your host’s space.

Find out the 13 daily habits of naturally polite people.

Your host put effort into making a nice living space for you, so it’s best to keep it that way. Make the bed when you get up in the morning, and keep your clothes either in your suitcase or put away in drawers.

On your last day, check the bedroom and bathroom for your belongings. Then, after clearing it with the host, strip the bed before you leave. Wipe down the counters of the bathroom, make sure all used towels are in the laundry, and all borrowed items returned.

Check out these handy hints that make doing the laundry less of a hassle.

The gift can be as simple as sending a bouquet of flowers from a local florist or online service. Make sure you include a handwritten note detailing your thanks.

Sign up here to have Handyman’s favourite stories straight to your inbox.

Source: RD.com