Summer is such a great time of the year! Children are out of school and families are taking vacations. Many of us will be hosting houseguests or we, in turn, will BE houseguests. Being a hospitable host, and a gracious guest, takes just a little bit of extra effort – and that extra effort goes a long, long way in making sure everyone enjoys their time together.
Tips for the Houseguest:
- As a houseguest, plan to take a hostess gift. This can be anything from a plant, flowers, chocolates, wine, to a good book you know your host and hostess will enjoy – and it starts your stay off on such a nice note.
- If you’ve been invited as a houseguest to a vacation or lake home – offer to help with additional expenses such as gas for the boat, or to purchase the food to grill.
- Be courteous and try to respect your hosts’ boundaries. For example, if they have small children who take naps, be aware of the noise you make during naptime.
- It’s always appreciated if you try to pick up after yourself and keep your areas tidy. Pick up your shoes from the living room and offer to help with the dishes.
- If you’re staying of a few days, offer to take your hosts out for dinner one night. It can be a bit of an overload on your host if they end up playing short-order-cook your entire stay.
- Upon “checking out”, offer to take the sheets of the bed to expedite the preparation for the next guests. More than likely your host will say ‘Oh, please don’t worry about it; I will take care of it.’ But offering to help out speaks volumes.
- In addition to obviously verbally thanking your hosts upon your departure – follow up with an old-fashioned hand-written note, thanking them again. It’s an archaic act that is truly appreciated.
Tips for the House Host/ess:
- Do you best to make your guests area (bedroom, playroom, whatever space will be ‘theirs’ during their stay) inviting and relaxing. Your guests will need space for their belongings, so make sure the closet, or dresser, is not overflowing with your children’s toys or Holiday decorations.
- Make sure you have clean guest towels ready to go and in place.
- Do a pre-check of the bathroom space your guests will be using and make sure there is plenty of TP, Kleenex and other toiletries on hand and backups ready for easy replacement in the cabinets.
- Other conveniences and niceties that add a special touch to their stay include placing bottles of water on the nightstand or in the bathroom along with some travel sized amenities that can serve them in a pinch in case they forgot their shampoo, tooth brush or razor.
- Wi-fi access? More than likely your guests will have technology that they want to connect. Place a note in their room with the Network name and password so they can connect at their leisure.
- For guests who may be trying to ‘unplug’ during their visit, you may want to place a few books or magazines in their space so if they would like to spend some alone time, they have plenty of things to peruse.
- If your guests will be coming and going during their stay, have a key made for them and be ready to share any special instructions about security systems or anything else they will need to gain access to your home.
- Fresh flowers always make people feel special, just make sure they’re not too fragrant; you don’t want to trigger any allergies.
Having company, or being company can be exhausting – but it can also be very enjoyable. If everyone does his or her part, it can make for a very memorable stay.
Extra refernce: Event Security.
Special Announcements:
Registration is in full swing for our 5-8th grade programs that begin this Fall and classes are fulling up quickly.
Don’t forget to register now and save $50 with the ‘Summer Special’ rate.
And yes, a deposit can still be made to secure their spot!
For more information, visit the registration page on the website: https://www.expeditionsinetiquette.com/registration
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The highest compliment you can give us is a referral to your friends and coworkers. Please share our registration and contact information with any families you think might be interested in participating in our program.
Each year we build on the previous year as we add to the curriculum. We have many students who continue with us each season, from our Level 5 (5th grade) program through our Passport (High School) Program. Our goal with the continuous exposure, and gentle reminders, of the courtesies we teach over consecutive years – is to assist you in raising well-mannered young adults.
- Continued Exposure: Just as continued exposure to athletics and school homework reaps rewards; continued exposure to the social skills taught in our program will provide lifelong lessons that will benefit your child throughout the classroom and into the boardroom.
- Benefits and Rewards: One of the biggest rewards of our students returning year after year, is the virtual ‘light bulb’ that seems to turn on and stay on; the students are really starting to get it and they are very proud of themselves. Their confidence is building. We’ve highlighted some of our graduating seniors on my blog at www.CareySueVega.com/?s=senior+spotlight
5-8th Grade Levels: We encourage you to register early to take advantage of the ‘Summer Special’ discount. Regular tuition for the 2014-2015 season will be $425.
- All Families, ‘Summer Special’ $375 by July 31
- 5-8th Grade registration online via: https://www.expeditionsinetiquette.com/registration
9-12th Grade Levels: Registration is open and will continue with the Early Bird discount into the fall. Register early to avoid the waiting list.
- 9-12th Grade registration online via: https://www.expeditionsinetiquette.com/passport-high-school-registration
Business Etiquette Training and other Workshops
Would you like to schedule a workshop or presentation?
I’m busy booking projects and working on presentations for clients and am already scheduling well into the Fall! Thank you so much for your continued support for this part of my business!
I have a variety of workshops that can be customized to fit your needs and would love to work with your organization, please call or email for more information, 405-721-1467 or CareySue@CareySueVega.com
Here are just a few of the workshop topics:
- Etiquette and the Generations – understanding ‘those guys’
- Creating a Great Customer Service Experience
- Business Etiquette and Professionalism – Navigating Lunch and Networking Events
- First and Lasting Impressions
- Professional Dress
As always, thanks for reading!
– Carey Sue
