THE GUEST

Wairarapa Times-Age, 3 January 1939, Page 5

THE GUEST

RULES TO BE OBSERVED. Don’t talk all the time about yourself, your trip, your clothes, your experiences. Let.your hostess get in a word. And try to keep your voice down —the excitement of visiting may cause you to raise it more than you realise. Don’t monopolise the radio for the programmes you like. Your hostess may have a few favourites of her own. Don’t be too energetic. It is very wearing. And give your hostess a quiet hour occasionally—she’ll probably need it. Don't get up in the morning until your hostess calls you, or tells you the hour. It may be more convenient for you to stay out of the way until the children and the man of the house are out of the way.

Don’t complain about the heat, or the lack of it. Take off some of your clothes if you are too hot, and put some on if you are cold. Don’t demand quantities of hot water. It isn’t always available, and remember you aren’t at a hotel. Don’t insist on staying up when your hostess and her family need sleep. You can sleep the next morning, but the members of the family who work have to be on the job just the same. And don’t overstay your welcome!— Don't surfeit your hostess with good advice and try to take over the management of her home. Fit into the ways of the household as much as possible. Don’t want to be doing something every minute, and always wanting to go to town. After all, you’re supposed to be visiting your hostess, and not the town.

Don’t expect too much in the way of entertainment. Remember it costs money, and your hostess pays the bills. She will do all she can afford to make your visit pleasant. Don’t visit merely as a convenience because you have some shopping you want to do. If you’re going on business go to the hotel. Don’t be too particular and demanding. After all, your aren’t paying for the service which the household provides.

Don’t visit if you are on a diet, unless you decide that for the length of your visit you can eat the food that is placed before you.

When you are visiting, buy the tickets occasionally, or the theatre tickets, or a lunch in town. Remember that tram and taxi fares cost mony; if .the family car isn’t available, reach for your own purse once in a while. A tank of benzine would not be out of order if-the hostess is using her car. Don’t, if you are young and seeking a husband, demand that an escort be provided for all occasions. Sometimes men are hard to find. Don’t want to dine out all the time. Dinners at hotels and restaurants require cash, and the grocery bill may make meals at home more convenient.