sharlag
Drama Llama
I like my artsy with a little bit of fartsy.
Posts: 6,580
Location: Kansas
Jun 26, 2014 12:57:48 GMT
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Post by sharlag on Jul 29, 2014 16:09:11 GMT
DS is staying with girlfriend's family for a couple of weeks. What should I be reminding him to do or not do? I sent him off with travel safety/birth control warnings, but realized I didn't coach him on the GOOD GUEST stuff. Also, I sent him off without a gift for them, and would welcome suggestions on what he can send when he gets back (or buy when he's there). I did tell him to treat the family to dinner out at least once. He's visiting the Winnipeg area from Kansas, if that helps you with gift suggestions. |
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Lisa
Junior Member
Posts: 58
Jun 27, 2014 14:23:39 GMT
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Post by Lisa on Jul 29, 2014 16:17:20 GMT
Maybe buy a bottle or few of wine? Definitely treat the family to dinner. If they refuse his offer, he could get the tip? I'll keep thinking.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Oct 6, 2024 16:23:17 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jul 29, 2014 16:21:44 GMT
Good guest cleans up after themselves immediately. Don't leave toothpaste, water or soap slashed around the bathroom. Hang towel and wash cloth neatly on the towel bar. Keep personal stuff in the suitcase just in case the hostess needs in the room for something stored there.
Make yourself useful at clearing the table after a meal, help with dishwashing, offer to help with meal prep (chop vegs for instance)
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Post by jmurray on Jul 29, 2014 16:27:43 GMT
Good guest cleans up after themselves immediately. Don't leave toothpaste, water or soap slashed around the bathroom. Hang towel and wash cloth neatly on the towel bar. Keep personal stuff in the suitcase just in case the hostess needs in the room for something stored there. Make yourself useful at clearing the table after a meal, help with dishwashing, offer to help with meal prep (chop vegs for instance) Yep - all of that. Plus watch out for anything the family does as a habit - eg. pushing chairs back under the table when they leave it, leaving certain doors open or closed, and if there are pets whether there are any rules about them (eg. the cat is an inside cat only, etc). For gifts, a bunch of flowers for the mother would be a nice gesture. If you wanted, you could even order those online for him so they arrive tomorrow. |
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Post by gmcwife1 on Jul 29, 2014 16:38:10 GMT
In the world of the Peas, there is no way to be a good houseguest  People get offended or hurt about so many different things. Most of all make sure he does not use the guest towels!! |
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Post by krc11 on Jul 29, 2014 16:39:15 GMT
I agree with all the above. Pick up after yourself. Keep your stuff contained. Be helpful. Don't get caught in the GF's room. Offer to walk the dog. Help with chores if they are doing them (for instance, dad is mowing, help with raking or something).
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Post by alibama on Jul 29, 2014 16:41:23 GMT
All great ideas. I say for sure clean up after himself and help with chores.
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Post by alibama on Jul 29, 2014 16:41:49 GMT
In the world of the Peas, there is no way to be a good houseguest People get offended or hurt about so many different things. Most of all make sure he does not use the guest towels!!  |
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Post by LavenderLayoutLady on Jul 29, 2014 16:45:11 GMT
DON'T USE THE DECORATIVE TOWELS!!! 
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Oct 6, 2024 16:23:17 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jul 29, 2014 16:49:46 GMT
I agree with all of the above! Also, offer to do things around the house (help with meal prep/clean up) if the family is doing yard or house work, pitch in.
Don't leave dirty towels laying on bathroom floor! (My house guests did that - 4 of them who stayed for 4 days). I was ticked! |
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Post by ChicagoKTS on Jul 29, 2014 16:51:38 GMT
DON'T USE THE DECORATIVE TOWELS!!! Exactly what I was going to say! ETA: If you can get him to do all of the above, he can come to my house anytime. |
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peppermintpatty
Pearl Clutcher
Refupea #1345
Posts: 3,947 
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Post by peppermintpatty on Jul 29, 2014 16:52:42 GMT
HA!
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Post by sisterbdsq on Jul 29, 2014 16:53:56 GMT
Upon leaving, strip the bed so the parents can wash the sheets.
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trollie
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,580
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Post by trollie on Jul 29, 2014 17:17:01 GMT
Don't boink their daughter in her childhood bedroom. |
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Post by NanaKate on Jul 29, 2014 17:19:39 GMT
Lol @ Trollie!
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quiltz
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,840
Location: CANADA
Jun 29, 2014 16:13:28 GMT
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Post by quiltz on Jul 29, 2014 17:23:19 GMT
Kansas, home of the great bbq. You should have sent along a vac-pack of a meal from Jack Stamps or some other bbq food.
Winnipeg is still thawing out from the winter - I have relatives who live there.
Send a great package of wonderful stuff from Kansas. |
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Post by snappinsami on Jul 29, 2014 17:23:28 GMT
I try to always leave a "small footprint." Clean up after myself. Don't leave toiletries in the bathroom - I always take them out when I'm not in there. That sort of thing.  |
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eastcoastpea
Prolific Pea
Posts: 9,252
Jun 27, 2014 13:05:28 GMT
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Post by eastcoastpea on Jul 29, 2014 17:24:07 GMT
What Trollie said; plus, their room or the kitchen table.
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sharlag
Drama Llama
I like my artsy with a little bit of fartsy.
Posts: 6,580
Location: Kansas
Jun 26, 2014 12:57:48 GMT
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Post by sharlag on Jul 29, 2014 17:24:27 GMT
I try to always leave a "small footprint." Clean up after myself. Don't leave toiletries in the bathroom - I always take them out when I'm not in there. That sort of thing. The invisible house guest! Got it. |
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freebird
Drama Llama
'cause I'm free as a bird now
Posts: 6,927
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Post by freebird on Jul 29, 2014 17:34:06 GMT
Don't be a burden. Clean up after yourself. Don't eat anything that might be an ingredient without asking (chips, probably ok. marshmallows... might be an ingredient).
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scrapaddie
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,090
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Post by scrapaddie on Jul 29, 2014 17:50:43 GMT
Don't leave your items.. Shoes, used tissues, clothes etc.. Around their house... In other words... Don't make work for them and offer to help whenever possible.
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Post by marzbar71 on Jul 29, 2014 18:11:24 GMT
"Upon leaving, strip the bed so the parents can wash the sheets."
I would actually prefer someone to ask me whether they should strip the bed or not. Sometimes I know I'm not going to get to washing the sheets for a couple of days so I'd rather they just leave it and I can do it when I have the time.
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Post by auntkelly on Jul 29, 2014 18:29:13 GMT
I always tell my kids you can never say "please" and "thank you" too often.
As far as hostess gifts, my kids stayed at different friends' beach houses over spring break and I ordered both families monogrammed acrylic trays from Graham and Martin (I think Graham and Martin is a division of Pottery Barn). Both families seemed to really like the trays.
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Post by anxiousmom on Jul 29, 2014 18:33:02 GMT
What Trollie said; plus, their room or the kitchen table. or in the shower. I have a very funny (now) story about a boyfriend, a shower and his father that didn't knock. |
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eastcoastpea
Prolific Pea
Posts: 9,252
Jun 27, 2014 13:05:28 GMT
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Post by eastcoastpea on Jul 29, 2014 18:40:51 GMT
What Trollie said; plus, their room or the kitchen table. or in the shower. I have a very funny (now) story about a boyfriend, a shower and his father that didn't knock. Okay. I'll take the bait. Reel me in. Tell us the rest of the story. |
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Post by anxiousmom on Jul 29, 2014 18:45:20 GMT
or in the shower. I have a very funny (now) story about a boyfriend, a shower and his father that didn't knock. Okay. I'll take the bait. Reel me in. Tell us the rest of the story. Oh, no way. It is not a story that is good for public scrutiny. Just suffice it to say that there were body parts on display everywhere and as younger woman I was way more flexible. I would bet his father never didn't knock on a door again.  |
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jj
Shy Member
Posts: 48
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Post by jj on Jul 29, 2014 18:47:47 GMT
or in the shower. I have a very funny (now) story about a boyfriend, a shower and his father that didn't knock. Okay. I'll take the bait. Reel me in. Tell us the rest of the story. Add "lock the bathroom door" to his list. |
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Post by *christine* on Jul 29, 2014 18:58:10 GMT
What Trollie said; plus, their room or the kitchen table. or in the shower. I have a very funny (now) story about a boyfriend, a shower and his father that didn't knock. How about a no boinking in her parents house at all rule unless they're married? Are your sons old enough to have girlfriends to be visiting and boinking? Or NOT boinking? My last suggestion would be don't leave your shoes around for people to trip on. That bugs the crap out of me. |
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Post by originalvanillabean on Jul 29, 2014 20:33:22 GMT
Hang up your towel, offer to help with trash, say please and thank you, help clear the table after meals.
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Post by M~ on Jul 29, 2014 20:48:01 GMT
All these suggestions + after he gets back from the trip, send a kick-ass flower arrangement with a nice message thanking the host and hostess. I either do this before my visit or immediately thereafter. It has gone over REALLY well each time.
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