Do you ever realize that there are certain unwritten, assumed rules you have in your mind for navigating certain situations?
When Caleb and I got married, he joined me on my frequent dog/ house sitting adventures.
(Sidebar: if you need a dog or house sitter, let us know. We can get you some references.)
I realized that I have these "rules" I follow when dog sitting, which actually date back to my rules for babysitting. These rules don't have much to do with the actual care of children or pets, but rather are rules governing my behavior as a guest in someone's house while they are not there. I am sure that we all have rules like this, to an extent. Most people don't behave in someone else's house they way they might behave in their own house. (Or maybe I am the only one who sometimes feels the need to put my pajamas on IMMEDIATELY when I walk in the front door... surely not though, right??)
Given Caleb's surprise when I immediately listed off all the things we must and mustn't do while living in someone else's home, I thought it would be interesting to share them here as well. Note: these rules are the rules I would follow if I didn't know the person well. The more you get to know someone, the more you learn their "rules" and can adjust accordingly.
Group 1: The Food Rules:
1. An initial pantry and refrigerator surveillance is both allowed and important. If they have invited you to eat their food, it's best (for me) to know what there is before I get very hungry and dramatic.
2. If it's not open, don't open it. Mostly applicable for things like wine, bottles of soda, special looking food. Really, alcohol is off limits all the time, unless they otherwise instructed.
3. If it's the last one, don't eat it. Don't finish things.
4. Someone else's restaurant left-overs are not allowed.
5. Cooking is usually fun at someone else's house. Do it!
Group 2: The General Rules:
6. Don't adjust the thermostat.
7. If you or the kids/animals make a mess, clean it up.
8. Leave it better than you found it. Run and unload the dishwasher. Pick up toys.
9. If staying overnight, pay attention to how your bed is made when you arrive. When you leave, make it the same way. If you had permissions to adjust the thermostat, put it back to what it was.
And there you have it! There may be one or two that I missed, but it's more challenging to remember when I'm sitting at my house, where I can do whatever I want!
Do you have rules like this? Are they similar or pretty different?
When Caleb and I got married, he joined me on my frequent dog/ house sitting adventures.
(Sidebar: if you need a dog or house sitter, let us know. We can get you some references.)
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| It's important to take pictures like this with your friends' dogs. |
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| This is Goliath, one of my parents' dogs. When he was alive, I loved watching him. Yes, that is my foot clad in a black Christmas sock in a brown shoe. Don't hate. Just look at the dog. Snuggle bug. |
Group 1: The Food Rules:
1. An initial pantry and refrigerator surveillance is both allowed and important. If they have invited you to eat their food, it's best (for me) to know what there is before I get very hungry and dramatic.
2. If it's not open, don't open it. Mostly applicable for things like wine, bottles of soda, special looking food. Really, alcohol is off limits all the time, unless they otherwise instructed.
3. If it's the last one, don't eat it. Don't finish things.
4. Someone else's restaurant left-overs are not allowed.
5. Cooking is usually fun at someone else's house. Do it!
Group 2: The General Rules:
6. Don't adjust the thermostat.
7. If you or the kids/animals make a mess, clean it up.
8. Leave it better than you found it. Run and unload the dishwasher. Pick up toys.
9. If staying overnight, pay attention to how your bed is made when you arrive. When you leave, make it the same way. If you had permissions to adjust the thermostat, put it back to what it was.
And there you have it! There may be one or two that I missed, but it's more challenging to remember when I'm sitting at my house, where I can do whatever I want!
Do you have rules like this? Are they similar or pretty different?
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI've never house-sat so I will instead make up some rules.
Delete1) If given enough time, eat a meal in every room in the house (including bathrooms). This lets the house know you except every part of it.
2) The television should be turned on with your back to it. TVs need to be taken down a notch, they're rather arrogant.
3) Always arrange the pillows on the master bed so that they spell something.
4) Before sleeping in someone else's home, spin 3 times in a counter-clockwise manner.
5) It is always prudent to stuff secret notes into the tissue box.
Oh my gosh. Adam White. Cannot handle how much I like your suggestions.
DeleteAlso, none of this happened when I lived with you. Why?
DeleteI did not follow these rules when I stayed in your house and now I feel like a terrible person. Making my own rules (and also following the invitation of your husband), I:
ReplyDelete1. After surveying the pantry and fridge, I finished two jars of jam and possibly the peanut butter.
2. Finished your wine (though I did not open the bottle)
3. Put on your sweatshirt (because I did not adjust the thermostat)
4. Ate your restaurant leftovers.
5. Used your shampoo and your conditioner.
Am I an opportunist houseguest? I promise I will make up for it.