Never show up late and expect the host family to wait for you. If you want to be extra nice, offer to help prepare the meal. It goes without saying that you should help clean up afterward. Not doing so is rude and disrespectful.
Politely let them know your available time, house rules, and if your household is free of things such as certain foods, allergens, or other products. It may seem like you're being flexible or unwelcoming, but savvy guests will be happy to know what to expect before they arrive.
Dr. Paul Hokemeyer has a practice specializing in marriage and family counseling based in New York City. He maintains that the ideal amount of time for a stay is "three days and two nights. Anything over a week will be too exhausting and stressful for everyone — host and guest.
Staying at someone else's home is a great honor and should be treated as so by respecting their space and property. Proper house guest etiquette means showing appreciation to your host during and after your visit.
If a guest has truly overstayed their welcome, let them know they ought to start pitching in around the house. Have them pick up after themselves, and suggest they do a fair share of the dishes and the tidying up. At worst you've a new helper around the house.
Lonely Planet co-founder Tony Wheeler was one of the first to offer a rule for house guests: “The oldest line is still the best – guests and fish begin to smell after three days. Or, like fish, guests should go off after three days.” There you have it – Rule #1: Three days max, even for family.
A key point to keep in mind is that the customer is always right, in their own mind, although not necessarily in reality. It's critical not to disagree with the customer because that makes them angry and argumentative. It's not in anyone's best interest to tell a customer they are wrong.
How do you tell someone they overstayed their welcome?
I found that the most polite way to tell someone to please leave was not to half-jokingly say, “Alright, you don't have to go home, but you can't stay here!” Instead, I would wait for a pause in conversation and then say something like, “It's been so great catching up!” This little hint was normally enough for my guest ...
Other forms: sleepovers. A sleepover is a night you spend sleeping at a friend's house. Some sleepovers are large gatherings of many pajama-wearing friends, while overs consist of just two people.
How do I leave my friend's house without being rude?
1) Give notice. Look at your watch/phone, say "I have to go soon" or "I have to head off soon" or "I have to leave at 11". 2) If they ask why, say you have other stuff to do. No more justification needed.
Is it rude to show up to someone's house unannounced?
It shows you have no respect for others' time. You're also putting someone in an awkward position (as you say you often are): even if you are busy, it feels very rude to turn someone away if they're already at your door.
Is it rude to leave the table while others are still eating?
Generally, one should not leave the table before the host or the eldest person finishes his or her food. It is also considered impolite to leave the table without asking for the host's or the elder's permission. Normally whoever completes first will wait for others and after everybody is finished all leave the table.
