On Being A Good Visitor

After a recent long-ish trip to Italy, we've learned a few more tricks and tips about being a good, non-annoying, helpful, and grateful houseguest. Of course, it helps to have awesome people to stay with, but we've got some great tips that will help you no matter who you're crashing with. -Austin
You've probably had one or two in your life, we all have. Who, you might ask? Clueless out of town friends, that's who. Odds are you've been that unprepared friend more than once yourself. I've got a few tips to help you be a better visitor the next time you head off to see far-away friends.

• Wash dishes. Whether you're staying for a day or a month, do something mundane to help out your host. I love washing dishes when I visit, not for a love of dishwashing, per se, but it's a miserable task and guests just make more dishes. So I wash.
  Be resolute in your task. Don't listen to any gripes about not needing to help. Just help. When we visited our Italian friends, they went on and on about how we were guests and we didn't need to be working while we were on vacation. But I remembered how nice it was to have a sink full of clean dishes, and I soldiered on in the name of goodwill. How better to leave your hosts than happy?
• Stay out of the way. I hate feeling like I'm in the way. Whether your friends work full time, or work at home, do your best to not get in the way of their schedule. If space is limited where you're staying, I'd also suggest that you try to give everyone a little room and time to themselves. No matter how much you like your hosts, or they like you, after a few days of being up in their business, things won't seem so rosy. So try to stay out of the way sometimes, for everyone's benefit.
• Relinquish the bathroom. I'm not sure if this will always work, or be appreciated by everyone, but give your hosts first dibs on the bathroom in the evening (if you're sharing.) For me, it's all about keeping up a sense of normalcy for the folks that actually LIVE there, as opposed to being the first person to brush their teeth. Even if they offer, insist that they go first. Read a book, do some yoga, write in your journal, or just hang out while your hosts are going about their nightly routine. You'll get some time to chill and your gracious hosts will be able to hold on to some of their normal life. Plus, once they've gone to bed, you'll get some bathroom time to snoop through their medicine cabinet without having to worry about whether they're listening. (kidding!)
• Be prepared. Just because you're visiting people doesn't mean that they are obligated to plan your trip for you. Be a good guest and have at least a partial plan before you arrive.
  Treat a visit to a friend like any other trip and do some research. Like we've recommended before, planning ahead of time can make all the difference between an ok trip and a great one. Think about what you AND your friend might like to do while you're together. That way, nobody will feel bored (or slighted!)
• Don't leech. After a few days, even your best friend will seem annoying. Don't latch onto your hosts for the entire trip. Plan a day or two on your own, or perhaps even a short road trip to a nearby city to give everyone a break.
• Play chef. It's always nice to show your appreciation for someone letting you stay with them, but why not go the extra mile and do something more personal? Offer to cook dinner one evening and pick up something local and delicious . With the right recipe and a dose of good cheer, you will all have great memories you won't soon forget.
  Whenever our Italian friend flies into town, she whips up wonderful meals that I always look forward to. The food is always great, we all get a chance to relax, talk, and enjoy having good friends around. (Plus, she gets a little taste of home when she needs it most.) Mangia!

Whenever you stay with someone, what do you like to do to show your appreciation to your hosts?