How to survive guests…THE RULES

by Catherine King.

Because we live in such a beautiful part of the world, it’s inevitable. Family and friends love to visit!

Many P-O Life readers will recognise the scenario: summer arrives and so do the guests. Much as we love our friends and family, it can be quite a marathon.
Of course a lot depends on the age of your guests and how well you know them!

I’m writing this at the end of September 2024 after giving hospitality this summer to 12 different guests covering a total of 55 days. The longest stayed 23 days. For 10 days, our two bedroomed
house had six people sleeping, cooking and eating here.

Next year we need more rules so here goes

1 BE VERY CLEAR ON MEALS.

For example, “Whilst we are happy to offer free bed, breakfast and evening meal, if the evening is not actually required, please let us know before noon. We do not do lunches. If you make your own lunch from the fridge, please note what you have used so that we can replace it. Please feel free to add wine and beer to our supplies.

2 BE VERY CLEAR ON TRANSPORT.

Do not accept guests without a hire car we are not a taxi firm.

3 TOWELS

Be prepared to provide beach towels or your best fluffy guest towel will be covered in suncream and sand. Do not keep your spare towels in the guest bedroom. We recently had two young guests for 11 days and when they left I found 14 damp towels in their room. Yes, they werebarely more than teenagers and I may have said “make yourselves at home….BUT…

4 DON’T SAY…

….make yourselves at home.
Show your guests how to use your washing machine, how to dry clothes and give them responsibility for their own washing.

5 STOCK UP ON….

…. washing machine products, dishwasher tablets, toilet paper…. Estimate how much you might need, then treble it.

6 TALK ABOUT DROUGHT…

… and water conservation but expect incomprehension. Grit your teeth when showers and taps run for far too long.

7 USE & ABUSE

Remember to make good use of younger guests. They can be great for sorting out IT problems, new phones etc. Make a list before they come and your problems will be solved in minutes. Use them for climbing ladders, pruning high plants, DIY, flat pack furniture and sit back and enjoy. They may even be pleased to help (possibly).

8 TRY TO STAY POSITIVE

My French friends tell me they use the word ‘CHICOUFF’! Chic when guests arrive and ‘ouff’ when they leave!

Always remember that autumn will come and we will still be in our beautiful corner of France.