- Come on time and leave on time
- Bring a great gift and leave your pet at home (no one will ever love your pet like you)
- Make yourself scarce part of the time (your host will love you for that)
- Never be the one to finish the food or the booze
- If you break the above rule, replace it and then some…
- If your hosts loan you their car: Fill the tank and NO accidents
- Take short-ish showers and keep the bathroom spotless. That includes the john…(no obvious signs of your presence)
- Make your bed, keep your room spotless and stow away your bag (leave the door open so your fastidiousness shows)
- If you must bring your pet, bring along pet-centric cleaning products. (arguing with your host over a yellow or brown stained white silk rug will not get you invited back).
- Avoid drunkenness, beligerance or contentious political debates (too much of any of these is an instant Buzz Kill)
- Offer to help at mealtimes and pick up the tab once if meals are taken at restaurants. (No one likes a cheap guest who insists on being served.)
- Be polite, upbeat and amusing. (in short, make an effort as we all have problems)
*image courtesy of Tommaso Santori