July 30, 2003
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Did you ever have a house guest overstay their welcome? If so, how did you handle it?

Well, there have been some guests who weren't all that welcome in the first place, in my book, but nobody has stayed longer than they were intended to.

Karen, 23
Ames, IA USA

Yes, I have. I just tried to be gracious and gritted my teeth until departure.

Tam

I can't recall a situation like that. I imagine I would just grin and bear it.

Cindy, 41
VA USA

I told him to leave

Melodi, 19
Gahanna, OH USA

Unfortunately, all of my lingering house guests have been from a husband's family and neither husband was willing to stand up for the Sanctity of Hearth and Home. I took to going to bed early and getting up at dawn to guarantee myself private time.

Jill, 61
Saylorsburg, PA USA

I haven't, but I received a text message from my brother a few months ago asking me to phone him. When I did, he was carrying on a one-sided conversation which didn't really make any sense to me. I heard him say something away from the ear piece, and when he came back on a few minutes later told me that he'd pretended my phone call was from his mother in order to get rid of a "friend" who'd been staying too long. I may try that tactic myself someday.

Aly, 17
Cardiff UK

Oh yes. I grinned and bore it. A little bit out of character for me, but I knew I wasn't going to see these folks for a long, long time to come... so I put everything in perspective and sucked it in till they left! I truly think four days is ample time for anyone to stay in another's home. These people stayed

Fisch, 47
Preston, CT USA

My brother has been my only house guest and my parents came and got hiim the next day.

Stephanie, 27
TX USA

Luckily, no.

Cathie, 53
Novi, MI USA

Their body now lies buried in the backyard. Just kidding.

Talia, 25
Tallahassee, FL USA

If you live in New York City or in Florida and have a spare bedroom, you get a lot of house guests. In addition to short-term visitors, I've housed family members seeking employment, friends hunting for a house, and classmates of my daughter who had summer jobs in New York. I had very few problems because I made my expectations clear at the beginning, essentially setting out
the house rules, especially in the case of younger guests. I also clearly recognized, and
shaped my expectations, depending on whether the visitors came to see me or to see the place in which I lived. My most serious problem was with a young student from Scotland who seemed to
expect hotel services, and when he was made to realize that he either shaped up or would have to find another place to live, he chose to behave.

Jane, 63
West Linn, OR USA

No.

Alias Irrelevante

No... I haven't. Lucky me.

Laura, 38
Lowell, MA USA

Not yet.

Ryan, 29
Riedlingen GERMANY

My place is too damn small to have guests.

A-Dog, 20
Eugene, OR USA

Oh Laura... I have never had a house guest overstay their welcome. I have Laura stay at my house all the time. She is the best. She will help when needed and is a pleaswure to have. I'll see you soon!!

KarenNJ, 25
Milltown, NJ USA

Yesterday / Tomorrow