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Couchsurfing for the holidays? How to be the best houseguest ever

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Not everyone can afford to rent holiday accommodation, but that doesn’t stop people from going away. In the coming holiday many people will be moving in with friends or family for a few days – or longer.

It isn’t always easy to accommodate houseguests, and when it comes to things that could grate, the list is long. 
Keep these in mind if you want to make sure this is not your last invitation:

No pets - Unless you are visiting your parents (and even then), pets should stay at home. It’s difficult enough to make space for a guest, but a four-footed one is simply too much to bear, especially if the host has pets too. Get a pet sitter and leave the dog at home.

Don’t inconvenience your hosts -If anyone has to sleep on the couch in the lounge, it’s you. You are staying for free, and you just don’t dislodge your hosts from the comfort of their own bedroom. 

Fall in with the existing routine - You are not in a position to make special demands. If you are used to having breakfast at eight, and the hosts do theirs at nine, suck it up. Or make your own. Quietly. Whatever you do, try not to disrupt the routine of the hosts, especially if they have kids.

Entertain yourself - Your hosts have agreed to put you up, not to entertain you for two weeks. By all means do things with them if they suggest it, but don’t sit around waiting to be entertained. Read a book, or go out, do your own thing, see other friends. In short, get out of the house and give the hosts a break.

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Pitch in with the housework - You are not in a five-star hotel and your hosts are not your servants. Make tea, wash the dishes, lay the table, help to shop and cook, grab the vacuum – be an asset rather than a liability to the people you are staying with. And clean up after yourself in the bathroom and the kitchen.

Offer to babysit - If your hosts have small kids, they probably haven’t recently had the opportunity to go to the movies, or to a restaurant for a quiet meal. Offer to babysit.

You could even buy the movie tickets if you have spare cash. Remember that the cheapest room on Airbnb would have cost you at least R350 per night. Show your appreciation for the free accommodation.

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Pitch in with the costs - You don’t want to cost your hosts anything – feeding you is costing them money, and their water and electricity bills will be higher than normal.

Buy groceries (rather than a gift they may not want or an expensive meal out) and leave them cash or a gift voucher to cover any costs. Also, use your own cellphone and never their landline. And this is also not the time to use their computer to download movies.

Get yourself around - Your hosts do not have to provide a taxi service to you. If you don’t have your own car, get a taxi, or rent a car. It’s fine not to do this if it is only for a day or two, but for any visit longer than three days, you need to make your own transport arrangements.

Return the favour - Offer them accommodation if they ever need it. Do this, and you are far more likely to be invited again. Also remember to say thank you properly – a card is better than an e-mail or just a verbal thank you.

Tip the domestic worker - if there is one. Remember that your presence means extra work for her. A decent tip will go a long way to buy some goodwill from her and from the hosts.

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