Being A Gracious Host Or Guest

Rest comes in different forms, may be sleep or relaxation or leisure.  Being a “home girl” as I am, the best place I find rest is at home.  I love the aroma of lovely food; the serenity found in clean spaces and smell of fresh laundry.  When my home is nice and clean, it just gives me a feeling of relaxation and rest.  When my home is in a mess, when there is no soup in my freezer, and there’s lots of laundry to do I just feel uneasy; my mind is kind of unsettled.

So what’s my drift with this?  It is important that my home is nice and as a host I would like my guests to feel relaxed when they come to visit.  In the same vein, I would not like a house guest who disturbs my peace.  So here are a few tips to being a gracious host or house guest.

The Host

1. Find out exactly when your guest is coming and prepare accordingly; the idea is to make them feel comfortable.
2. You may probably need to pick them up so know where from and what time; try not to keep them waiting.  If you are not picking them up, be sure to give them your address and clear directions on how to get to your home.
3. For sleeping arrangements, if you have a guestroom make sure it is freshly cleaned, provide clean bedding and towels for them.  If possible provide a toothbrush, toothpaste and a clean glass.  If you don’t have a guest room, you could make the children’s room or the living room space available.  If they need to sleep in the living room space try to make it available for them as early as needs be.
4. When they get to your house do establish some home rules, just so that expectations are clear.  Show them around the house so they know what is where.  This way they can be a bit independent.
5. Before they come, try to find out their dietary requirements and stock up a lot on their favorite foods.
6. If you invited a guest, it’s a good idea to let them know some of your outing plans with them, so that they prepare themselves in terms of what they might need to wear.  If they asked to come, try to find out their plans in case you need to arrange a chauffeur service for them.
7. Give your guest some alone time, you don’t have to fill up all the days of their stay with activities.
8. After they have gone, follow up on them to appreciate their visit and to find out about their safe arrival back home.

The Guest

1. As a guest, the idea is that you make such a good impression on the host that they want to invite you again and again.
2. Inform your host about the exact details of your visit.  This is especially important in our clime where family members believe they don’t have to inform their hosts of their impending visit.  From the viewpoint of the host, it’s not because they might prevent you from coming but just so that they can make adequate preparation for your visit.
3. Do take a house gift along with you to present to the host or their children, it would be well appreciated no matter how small.
4. During your stay, try to adapt to your host’s routine and keep your spaces clean and tidy.  When using shared facilities, the bathroom, for example, make sure you keep it clean after use.
5. Be sensible about your dressing around the house, for example, if you are an unmarried man or woman visiting a couple, be sure to dress decently.
6. Try to plan some of your activities so the host does not feel obliged to have to keep you entertained.  If necessary arrange for a chauffeur should you need to be out and about.
7. As much as the host may want to do everything for you, they would appreciate you helping out around the house.
8. When you are leaving take off your bedding and fold them on the bed along with your towels and leave the room neat and tidy.
9. When you get home, call your host to appreciate them and to let them know of your safe arrival home.
10. These are just a few tips to being gracious hosts and house guests. 

As much as we need rest we need not steal someone else’s rest.

Till next time, rest easy!