NYC Life Coach Tips: How to Be a Great House Guest

While a life coach and image consultant at ME Optimized (MEO) empowers women in their style, they also help to improve confidence in their social lives. Recently a friend and travel buddy of MEO founder Tiffiny E. Dixon generously opened up her home to help her get a more authentic feel for San Francisco while visiting. Not being a huge fan of hotel chains, Dixon simply couldn’t decline the offer.

Many people will be vacationing this summer, and in some cases will stay with a friend or relative, as Dixon did. Before you pack your bags, this life coach recommends that you are well versed in the 11 essential intricacies of being a gracious guest!

1. Establish a clear timeline for arrival and departure. This will allow your host to plan accordingly.
2. If you will be staying for three days or more, your host will be delighted by a genuine offer to contribute to household essential like paper towels, toilet paper, and groceries. It's also probably best that you bring your own toiletries, as there is no guarantee that your host has your favorite shampoo.
3. No matter how long you stay, always keep your general area clean. Offer to assist in household chores, but please be mindful not to distract your host from their cleaning routine. Consider a "No Strand Left Behind” policy and make sure you do not leave stray hairs in the bathroom sink or bathtub drain.
4. Remember to give your host alone time. They didn't sign up for roommates, so don’t get too clingy and freak them out. It's usually easier for you to suggest "break time" as your host is too concerned with attending to your needs.
5. Show your appreciation by treating your host to dinner one of the nights of your visit.
6. Leave your pet at home.
7. Take some of the pressure off your hosts by finding your own activities. They are giving you a place to stay; they are not your event coordinator.
8. Exit the room when your host takes a call and busy yourself with a book/magazine.
9. Never compare styles of running households. This is the fastest way to nix return visit offers.
10. Don't over-indulge in computers or food.
11. Leave behind or send a hostess a gift or note.

For more advice that can dramatically improve your social life, please consult with a life coach at ME Optimized (MEO).