15+ Guests Unlikely to Get Invited Again

We all have that one friend or family member who tends to overstep boundaries as a house guest. While accommodating guests is part of being a gracious host, some behaviors clearly cross the line.

From monopolizing your time to mistreating your space, poor guest etiquette should not be enabled. Learn where to draw the line with our list of house guests who are unlikely to receive another invitation anytime soon.

The Overly Needy Guest

This type of guest acts as if you are their personal assistant during their stay. They expect you to cater to their every whim and entertain them 24/7. From frequent requests for snacks and drinks to demands for your undivided attention, highly needy guests can place unfair expectations on their hosts.

While checking in occasionally on your guest’s needs is courteous, you are not obligated to be at their beck and call. Be cautious about enabling extremely needy behavior from your guests, as it can quickly become exhausting. A simple “I’m sorry, but I have some things I need to take care of at the moment” can help set healthy boundaries.

The Critic

Some guests feel the need to critique every detail of your home and hospitality. No matter how beautiful your home decor may be or how thoughtfully you planned the visit, these guests only have negative comments to share.

Rather than appreciating your efforts, they rudely pick apart aspects like your furniture choices, meal options, and leisure activities. Don’t feel pressured to implement their unsolicited suggestions. A gracious “Thank you for the feedback” will suffice.

Blatantly disrespectful criticism, however, warrants a more direct call-out, such as “I’m sorry you feel that way, but that comment comes across as unnecessarily rude.” Set limits with guests who cross into criticism territory.

The Excessively Demanding Guest

Some guests test the limits of a host's generosity through excessive demands. For example, they may insist on the master bedroom, request multiple elaborate home-cooked meals per day, or expect to be chauffeured around for leisure activities.

While going above and beyond for your guests is kind, you should not feel exploited. Politely decline unreasonable requests: “I’m sorry we won’t be able to accommodate that request, but we’re happy to provide x alternative.” Don’t reward entitlement; set reasonable expectations.

The Guest Who Overstays Their Welcome

We all know that person who announces they'll stay for the weekend but is still raiding your fridge come Wednesday. Guests who overextend their originally agreed upon stay can quickly wear out their welcome.

Rather than dropping hints, directly communicate your needs: “We were expecting you to check out on Sunday. Will you be able to make other arrangements for Monday and beyond?” Establish clear expectations for the length of stay upfront to preempt a guest outstaying their welcome.

And don’t feel guilty about sticking to the original timeline. You are not obligated to indefinitely host guests in your home.

The Excessively Messy Guest

Some guests leave your home looking like a tornado swept through. They don’t just kindly request a few extra towels; they flood your bathroom, leaving a trail of sopping wet linens behind them. Dirty dishes pile up in their bedroom, takeout containers litter your countertops, and your once-immaculate home resembles a college frat house.

While minor messes are reasonable, excessive untidiness shows disregard for your space. Before their stay, communicate tidy expectations, like placing used towels in the laundry and clearing personal dishes. A reminder mid-stay may be warranted if significant messes accumulate. Decline future invitations for repeat offender messy guests.

The Guest Who Helps Themselves

You know the type - they rummage through your cupboards, raid your fridge, and use your things without asking. Whether it's opening that expensive bottle of wine you received as a gift or borrowing your car while you're at work, these guests take liberties in your home without consent.

Remind guests to ask before using your belongings. If the behavior continues, start locking up valuables and setting firmer boundaries. Make it clear this infringes on your comfort and will not be tolerated long-term.

The Uninvited Plus One

When a friend asks if they can bring “someone” along to your dinner party, that typically means a romantic partner, right? Not for this bold guest who shows up with a random coworker in tow.

Unannounced extra guests are an imposition on your time, budget, and hospitality. When confronted, they may gaslight the situation, claiming you never specified who exactly was invited. Don’t enable this manipulation.

Moving forward, specify exactly who is included in an invitation, making it crystal clear unapproved plus-ones are unacceptable. And don’t hesitate to turn unexpected guests away at the door.

The Guest Who Monopolizes Your Time

You planned a relaxed weekend catching up with an old friend. Instead, you got 48 hours of being hostage to their nonstop chatter and constant demands for your time and attention. From insisting on every meal together to tagging along on your errands, these guests don’t seem to comprehend the concept of alone time.

Politely create space for yourself as needed: “I’m going to spend some time reading out on the patio. Let me know if you need anything!" If they encroach on that space, don’t be afraid to lovingly but directly communicate your needs.

The Guest Who Shows Up Empty-Handed

It is common courtesy for house guests to offer a small token of appreciation, like a bottle of wine or bouquet of flowers. However, some entitled guests show up empty-handed time and time again. No host should feel obligated to provide free room and board to rude freeloaders.

Before their next visit, make your expectations clear: “We always appreciate when guests contribute something to the visit like a meal or bottle of wine." If they continue to disregard this request, feel free to stop extending invitations.

The Guest Who Insists on Bringing Their Pet Without Notice

You adore your friend Fido when you visit their place. But that doesn’t mean you want the chaos of an unplanned pet guest wreaking havoc in your home. Some presumptuous guests try to bring along their furry friends without notice or consideration for your space.

Be direct and firm. When confronted with an unannounced pet, politely but unambiguously refuse, offering to help reschedule when proper arrangements can be made. Don’t let your home become a pet boarding house unless you explicitly agreed to pet-sit.

The Guest Who Doesn't Respect Your Home

This guest comes with a blatant disregard for your belongings and home. Stiletto heels tromp across your hardwood floors, red wine gets spilled on your white couch, treasured antiques are broken - the list goes on. They are either careless or feel entitled to mistreat your space.

Don’t write off disrespectful behavior as “accidents.” Directly call out each infraction as it occurs and reconsider future invitations for repeat offenders. You are not obligated to host those who damage and degrade your home.

The Uncontrollably Drunk Guest

We all want our guests to enjoy themselves, but that is not a license to become belligerently intoxicated. Slurring words and stumbling into your walls by 7 PM is unacceptable. Beyond embarrassing drunken behavior, these guests can even pose safety issues to themselves and others.

Don’t tolerate excessive inebriation in your home. If a drunk guest becomes belligerent or reckless, ask them to retire to their room or call a ride home. And consider limiting alcohol availability for future visits.

The Guest Who Disrespects Your Neighbors

You finally convinced your neighbors you aren’t hosting raucous frat parties every weekend. Then this guest comes along, blasting music until 3 AM, yelling profanities outside, or engaging in other obnoxious behaviors that terrorize the neighborhood. Your hard-earned neighborly rapport quickly evaporates.

Don’t allow guests to terrorize your community. Kindly but firmly ask them to lower music and noise levels. If the behavior persists, they may need to cut their visit short and find alternate accommodations. The comfort of your long-term neighbors should be prioritized.

The Guest Who Doesn't Respect Your Rules

Despite politely informing this guest of your few reasonable home rules, they repeatedly break them. From smoking inside to violating your “no shoes” policy, they apparently view your rules as optional. But showing such blatant disregard for your home rules is grounds for revoking future invitations.

Directly call out each violation as it occurs. Remind them of the rule, explain why it is important to you, and explicitly ask them to stop the behavior immediately. If they still refuse to respect your space, it’s time to send them packing.

The Guest Who Doesn't Respect Your Timeline

You told this guest dinner would be served at 6 PM. At 6:15, they are still lounging poolside ignoring your texts and calls. Whether disregarding your carefully planned schedule for meals, activities, or other events, their chronic tardiness is inconsiderate.

Strike one: clearly communicate the timeline and your expectation they adhere to it. Strike two: have a candid conversation about their consistent lateness. If no improvement, strike three: reconsider inviting such an inconsiderate, presumptuous guest again. Respecting your home means respecting your time.

The Guest Who Doesn't Respect Your Privacy

Despite your requests for privacy, this guest pries into your personal spaces and belongings with no sense of appropriate boundaries. Whether rummaging through your closet, medicine cabinet, or files, they act entitled to any part of your home and life. Don't tolerate such invasive behaviors from your guests.

Lock up private spaces as needed. Directly call out each violation and politely but firmly demand respect for your privacy. If they are unreceptive to these requests, cut the visit short. You have every right to set and enforce privacy boundaries in your own home.

The Guest Who Doesn't Respect Your Possessions

Sticky fingers, careless handling of belongings, or helping themselves to your valuables without asking - this guest lacks basic respect for your items. Perhaps they borrow your expensive ski gear without permission, only to return it caked in mud. Or they "borrow" your favorite sweater, stretching it out beyond repair.

Directly address each act of disrespect. If your request that they start treating your belongings more carefully continues unheeded, stronger measures are needed. Start locking up prized possessions and consider not inviting them back. You shouldn't have to baby-proof your home for irresponsible adults.

The Guest Who Disrespects Your Relationships

This drama-loving guest makes inappropriate comments about your significant other, seeds rumors about coworkers you invited, or flirts inappropriately with recent exes also on the guest list. They stir up trouble with no regard for the fallout you'll face after they depart.

Don't tolerate relationship-sabotaging behaviors from guests just to keep the peace during their stay. Shut down toxic comments immediately and make it clear that kind of meddling will not be enabled in your home. A respectful guest knows where the line is drawn.

The Bottom Line

While accommodating guests can be rewarding, hosts are not obligated to accept mistreatment, disrespect, or exploitation. Standing firm against presumptuous, inconsiderate behaviors from the outset is key to maintaining healthy boundaries. And don't hesitate to decline repeat invitations for egregiously rude guests.

By clearly communicating standards and not enabling lousy behaviors, hosts can tactfully but resolutely make it known who has worn out their welcome. In the end, prioritizing your needs and home will ensure visiting remains a pleasure rather than a burden.

FAQs

What are some examples of reasonable expectations to set for house guests?

Some reasonable expectations to communicate include keeping shared spaces tidy, being considerate with noise levels, not inviting others without your approval, adhering to your home's rules, and following the established schedule for meals, activities, etc.

How can I politely tell a guest it's time to check out if they overstay their welcome?

First, remind them of their original planned checkout date and ask when they are planning to depart. If they try to extend their stay, politely but firmly let them know you are unable to host past the original timeline and need them to make other arrangements.

What are good host gifts for house guests to bring?

Wine, flowers, baked goods, specialty chocolates or coffee, and small household items like candles are gracious host gifts. Just avoid anything too large, personal, or presumptuous of their tastes. Keeping it simple is best.

My guest made a big mess. What's the best way to address this?

Don't let tension build. Politely point out the issue right away and ask for their help getting common areas tidied up again. Try framing it in a constructive way by saying you want to make sure you both feel comfortable.

How do I tell a friend I don't want their pet to stay without offending them?

Explain that while you adore their pet, your home isn't properly equipped for animal guests. Offer to help find local boarding options or pet sit for them next time you visit their home instead. Frame it as what's best for the pet's comfort rather than a personal affront.