"Fish and visitors stink after three days" says the good ol' Ben Franklin

I am sharing an article I got from Reader's Digest February 2010 issue. It's from The Guide/ Etiquette section. This should come very handy one day in every person's life.

Disclaimer: The purpose of this particular blog entry is not to blow someone's ill-manners. I am posting just in the spirit of sharing.

Handy Hints for House Guests

Don't wear out your welcome, says Kathy Buchanan.

Instead, follow these rules and you'll be invited again

• HOW LONG TO STAY: As a guideline, usually three to seven nights are enough. If staying longer, ensure you are helping with housework or contributing financially and adhering to the house rules. (If you aren't sure what your rules are, ask!) **Oh can I just add, NEVER, as in NEVER try to discipline your host family's children too? That's the parent's duties, not yours! If you see something indifferent from what you know, BITE YOUR TONGUE EVEN IF IT MEANS IT WILL HAVE TO BLEED!
• THANK-YOU GIFTS: Unless you have a specific, genuinely useful gift in mind, gift cards are a polite way of giving cash, allowing your host to recoup some of the money spent on you. Don't accept no for an answer. The gift card or present should be to the tune of roughly $100 per week stayed, along with a thoughtful note about how much you have enjoyed your visit. Also, issue a reciprocal invitation.
• CONTRIBUTING TO BILLS: Planning on staying longer than two weeks? Automatically contribute to the household budget. This is an addition to your gift and contributions to the supermarket shop. Alternatively, offer to provide a fancy dinner. If you are borrowing your host's car, you must refill the fuel tank before returning it. Any breakages must be replaced or paid for.
• DON'T STAY AT ALL....unless you're genuinely close family relative, or a best friend who has been specifically invited. You should not stay with anyone who is in the middle of exams, on deadline, pregnant or a new parent, or has children under 12 months. Unless the circumstances justify it, never accept an invitation from someone who is ill, grieving or under financial stress.
• WHEN TO LEAVE: Even if your hosts have agreed that you can crash in the spare room indefinitely, if your presence is causing problems, vamoose.