BS: Hosting Company

Subject: BS: Hosting Company
From: LilyFestre
Date: 20 Jun 06 - 06:40 PM

I NEED HELP! We are company staying here with us for a few days. I know it may sound odd but we aren't the kind of folks that normally have people come over, let alone come over and stay. It's not that we aren't friendly, it's just that our home is our space and we aren't big on forced conversation, etc. The folks coming are wonderful people who we enjoy, have spent time with, and look forward to seeing...but um...what do I do with them?

I suppose things will be just fine as we (collectively) have things to do during the day...and then in the evenings we plan on fishing, kayaking, playing music, etc....but what about the down times?
Silly, huh? I just want things to go well. :)

So...what happens at your house when you have company? What do you do at the end of the day together?

Michelle

Subject: RE: BS: Hosting Company
From: Bill D
Date: 20 Jun 06 - 06:53 PM

"What do the simple folk do?"

they talk and reminisce and eat....prepare a fancy meal or two, assign tasks.

Subject: RE: BS: Hosting Company
From: skipy
Date: 20 Jun 06 - 06:55 PM

NMD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Subject: RE: BS: Hosting Company
From: LilyFestre
Date: 20 Jun 06 - 06:59 PM

Assign tasks?

And Bill, we are simple folks...maybe that's why I feel like I am at a loss...we don't do much at night...that's just our time to relax. The food is all taken care of (can you say BBQ?) and I imagine that after working some during the day and then an early evening jaunt to the fishing and kayaking hole...we're gonna be TIRED.

And Skipy, what's NMD?

Michelle

Subject: RE: BS: Hosting Company
From: skipy
Date: 20 Jun 06 - 07:01 PM

Nude Morris Dancing!
Skipy

Subject: RE: BS: Hosting Company
From: Georgiansilver
Date: 20 Jun 06 - 07:05 PM

Nice sometimes to plan ahead for things but life can be just as much fun without the planning. There is always the "What sort of things do you like doing" question, which may give you clues as to how to proceed. Play it by ear I say....and have fun doing it, without stressing yourself over 'appearances'. Best wishes, Mike.

Subject: RE: BS: Hosting Company
From: bobad
Date: 20 Jun 06 - 07:05 PM

Pervert!

Subject: RE: BS: Hosting Company
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 20 Jun 06 - 07:05 PM

I like to try and give guests some time to themselves, don't hog the bathroom and let them select some music to listen to, or a film/TV programme to watch. I also tell them they are free to go to bed whenever they want, not to wait up until I go, or feel neglected if I go early. Our house usually has the internal doors open, but they can be closed if we need some space.

The important thing is to show them where the tea/coffee pot is and let them know they are welcome to make some if they wake up early, and leave the fixings ready on the side.

All guests are different. Some won't lift a finger to help (mostly family, in my experience), some keep apologising for putting you out, some can be given a key and left to their own devices and others need to be shepherded every step of the way.... There is no one sensible answer I'm afraid!

Good luck!

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Hosting Company
From: artbrooks
Date: 20 Jun 06 - 07:19 PM

When I visit people (generally family), I appreciate it when there is no attempt to regulate my time 24/7. Give them the opportunity (both in terms of time and physically) to be by themselves as much as they want. It sounds to me like you have a pretty full schedule already (in the evenings we plan on fishing, kayaking, playing music, etc) so...what do you do with the down times? Program a little bit of nothing!

Subject: RE: BS: Hosting Company
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 20 Jun 06 - 07:21 PM

Art - you're welcome here any time.. we'll let you have the key and all you need do is not drink all the scotch.

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Hosting Company
From: artbrooks
Date: 20 Jun 06 - 07:24 PM

Thanks Liz...the scotch is safe...got beer?

Subject: RE: BS: Hosting Company
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 20 Jun 06 - 07:26 PM

Er... beer...? no.. no beer here.. none in the cellar at all, nor that sideboard.... move along there, nothing to see....

But there's a pub up the road and an off licence (liquor store) nearby.

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Hosting Company
From: skipy
Date: 20 Jun 06 - 07:33 PM

Pervert!
Who is that aimed at then?
Skipy

Subject: RE: BS: Hosting Company
From: artbrooks
Date: 20 Jun 06 - 07:41 PM

See you next summer, then.

Subject: RE: BS: Hosting Company
From: LilyFestre
Date: 20 Jun 06 - 07:49 PM

LOL...I'm not trying to program 24/7, I just want to make sure that everyone is having a good time. If they are tired on Saturday afternoon(or Friday or Sunday) and just want to hang out, that's fine with me! Since we don't usually have folks here for much of anything, I'm second guessing myself I think. Thanks for reinforcing the it's ok to do nothing if that's what you feel like idea! I also like the idea of having stuff ready for them in the morning if they are up before me (Ridge Plucker will be up before anyone...he's a early, EARLY riser!). Cool beans.

Any other thoughts?

Michelle

Subject: RE: BS: Hosting Company
From: GUEST,Jon
Date: 20 Jun 06 - 09:36 PM

Play it by ear really but try to find out what they want to do (including their own space which hopefully they will want) preferably take each day at a time or a vague longer plan - I don't like regimented shecdules if avoidable and try to work around them.

Avoid situations (if people from Mudcat, a computer free could be handy here) that might invlolve long spells of forced conversation - I'm lousy at it and dislike it intensly.

Then... heave a huge sigh of relief when it's over (until, hopefully the next time).

Subject: RE: BS: Hosting Company
From: bobad
Date: 20 Jun 06 - 09:43 PM

skipy

Nudity is fine but MORRIS DANCING - gawd, cover the children's eyes.

Subject: RE: BS: Hosting Company
From: dianavan
Date: 21 Jun 06 - 02:45 AM

When they arrive, show them their space (even if its just a little spot in the corner) then show them the fridge. Be sure they have access to the coffee maker in the morning. Do your best to make them feel 'at home'.

If they are the types who need entertaining, take turns hosting so that you can find a little quiet time for yourself.

Don't forget card games, monopoly and scrabble.

Videos are good.

Share your photo album.   

A bottle of wine at the end of the day is also a good idea. If they are not interested in wine, try cocoa or another beverage or snack.

When I visit, I like to help with a work project.

Play it by ear. You'll be fine. Treat them the way you like to be treated.

There's usually not alot of down time with visitors. Thats why people say, "Glad to see them, glad to see them go."

Subject: RE: BS: Hosting Company
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 21 Jun 06 - 04:37 AM

OK Art - I'll start tidying the spare bedroom up now then! Would you like the pub tour, the sight-seeing tour, the eclectic tour or the music tour?

Find out what your guests are expecting to see (i.e., if you're in London, the Tower, Buck House, Trafalgar Square, changing of the Guard) and then suggest things that might not be so 'touristy' but are equally fascinating, enjoyable and cheaper. In London, that might be a trip to less well known museums like the Bethnal Green m of Childhood, the Ragged School museum, Tower Bridge museum; or a walk around one of the big cemetaries that are now parks, Primrose Hill in North London (pretty damn good view of the city for free, unlike the London Eye!), the list is endless.

If you aren't sure what your area has to offer, take a day to yourself before they arrive and go looking for things. It's incredible the amount of interesting places we have near our homes, but never visit because we live there. We very rarely look at our neighbourhoods from a visitors prospective.

If your guests are there to visit you, set aside a day to spend time with them, then give them a day to themselves. Too much of a good thing is worse than none at all!

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Hosting Company
From: Paco Rabanne
Date: 21 Jun 06 - 04:52 AM

Sedate them.

Subject: RE: BS: Hosting Company
From: GUEST
Date: 21 Jun 06 - 07:08 AM

Or you could bore them to death Ted !

Subject: RE: BS: Hosting Company
From: Ernest
Date: 21 Jun 06 - 08:30 AM

What Liz said. And look up what events (art shows, concerts, plays etc.) are on during that time.
Have fun
Ernest

Subject: RE: BS: Hosting Company
From: LilyFestre
Date: 25 Jun 06 - 08:35 PM

The weekend was a success! :) Thanks for all your thoughts!

Michelle