Content

• Steps
• Part 1 of 3: Accepting It's OK
• Part 2 of 3: How to relax in front of your hosts
• Part 3 of 3: Making Yourself at Home
• Tips

Even when homeowners tell us to “feel at home,” getting in the right mood can be tricky. If you're uncomfortable, awkward, or insecure, follow our tips to overcome embarrassment while still respecting the rules of the house.

Steps

Part 1 of 3: Accepting It's OK

1. 1 Accept the compliment. If you are asked to “feel at home,” understand that the person is speaking sincerely. It's actually not very polite to expect someone to follow your heels and give permission for every action if they've already told you to make yourself comfortable. This can quickly tire a person. Calmly accept the fact that you are trusted and made to feel right at home.
2. 2 Relax. Accept the offer and try to relax. Close your eyes. Imagine that nothing bothers or scares you! This will make it easier to relieve stress.

Part 2 of 3: How to relax in front of your hosts

1. 1 Start small talk. It's easy, because you can always talk about recent events like vacations, personal accomplishments, or a promotion at work. Remember - conversation topics are endless, you just need to start somewhere. During a conversation, you can focus on the conversation itself so that you can think less about the feeling of discomfort.
2. 2 Study your surroundings. Look around. Determine what you like and dislike. Start a conversation about what you liked. Ask where the person bought, found, or received the item from.
3. 3 Pay attention to the photos. Ask when they were made and for what reason.

Part 3 of 3: Making Yourself at Home

1. 1 Ask to show you the dwelling. If the owners made it clear that you can safely use certain things, then ask them to show you the house and tell you about special rules, tricks or features that you need to know. For example, if you were asked to make your own breakfast in the morning, then ask where the food and kitchen utensils are, how to use the appliances and what you need to know additionally (how to wash fragile dishes, whether you need to close the closet from children).
   • Don't be afraid to ask questions. Better to ask again than to break something.
2. 2 Be mindful of the little things. Put the dishes back in the cupboard. Don't leave a messy table behind. Use a toilet brush, wash the tray when you're done showering, or don't leave a wet bath towel folded. Pay attention to windows and doors, or ask if they can be left open (or closed).
   • Learn the rules for using water and electricity. Don't overuse your hospitality.
   • Ask permission to call the landline and download large files wirelessly. Offer to reimburse the additional costs.
3. 3 Offer to reimburse or pay for used food, broken items, or other expenses. Remember that at home you would have to restock or buy new items at your own expense. The hosts may refuse, but a sincere offer will show you to be a polite person.
4. 4 Live up to reasonable expectations of the host. Do not go around the house without clothes, but if it is permissible for the hosts to walk in pajamas all day, then you can too. If the owners of the home are dining in front of the TV, then you can follow their example (but if they eat at the table, then sit down with them) and so on.
   • If the owners take off their shoes in the hallway, then do not walk around the house with their shoes on.
5. 5 Be kind to pets. Find out if pets have special quirks, needs, or fears to behave accordingly. Offer to help if you would like to feed or play with your pet.
6. 6 The hosts should be comfortable with your presence. There is no need to interfere, disrupt the plans of the owners or expect that they will think only of you around the clock. Be careful not to disturb their comfort.
7. 7 Leave a gift. Leave a gift for the hosts before you leave as a thank you for their kindness.

Tips

• Try to relax. Don't think about things that can be stressful.
• Just talk to people to distract you and relax even more.