Im talking above and beyond what we generally do for everyday and daily company is it a neccessity to portray our homes in a way that is not true to our daily lives? Examplebeing scrubbing every nook and cranny and making sure that the space between or kitchen taps and the wall be scrubbed with a toothbrush
2006-11-27 18:34:47 · 17 answers · asked by Kara B 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
Yeah, it's pretty silly. I don't know why we do it. Sometimes I think it's human nature, until I go to someone else's house. They're not super clean, but they're not dirty either. It dosen't bother me if the house is not as clean as mine, but it bothers me if mine isn't clean. It might me the way were brought up, or??? Anyway, my granddaughters birthday is this coming Sunday and we've got a lot of people coming over, so we've got some cleaning to do.
2006-11-27 18:44:12 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Personally, I don't think one should have to go out of their way to impress their own family. They should love you for who you are, not how many hours you spent cleaning. However, keeping a house cleaner makes things a little bit easier: if children are coming over, you don't run the risk of them breaking as many things, also, if you're looking at a holiday such as Thanksgiving, where there is a lot of cooking involved, it is probably a good idea to clean well before and after, in the kitchen at least. It really depends on comfort, and how you were brought up, though. Its nice, sometimes, to be able to celebrate with a cleaner house, it frees up time after the holiday or gathering too, although it might cause some stress initially, you might not feel so overwhelmed during or after the gathering. It really is a matter of personal comfort though, and taking into consideration the people one is inviiting over.
2006-11-27 18:46:33 · answer #2 · answered by Carmen G 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yes and no. The home needs to be cleaned really well occationally, including areas that are usually neglected in daily cleaning, and doing it shortly before you expect a lot of visitors is considered perfect by many, because everyone likes a clean house and having the home really nice and shiny adds to the special feeling of the holidays (at least for me). Of course some people are afraid of guests bumping into filth somewhere in a forgotten place and thinking they're a slob, so they overdo the cleaning and get stressed about the place looking absolutely perfect. I think it's a little silly to take it that far. People shouldn't have to worry so much about it, it's family and good friends who are coming over after all.
2006-11-27 23:16:06 · answer #3 · answered by undir 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I guess when we're going on holiday, at the back of our minds is "what if I don't get home?" Reminiscent of our mothers telling us to always have clean underwear on in case we get hit by a bus. "You don't want the police & hospital staff to think you're dirty!"
I horrified my older sister when I refused to scrub my home top to bottom before a party.
She was worried that my guests may find a speck of dust.
I told her if my party was so boring that people had time to look for dirt I should review the way I throw a party.
Besides, why break myself cleaning the day of the party when I know the house is going to need a good swabbing the day after?!
On the day, I'd rather put my energy into creating great food for my friends & family.
2006-11-27 18:54:42 · answer #4 · answered by Chencha 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Hi Kara,
Well, I think you have answered you question by asking it!
"Is it silly"?
I think it is, and you seem to think it is.
Other people may not think that way.
I would like to encourage you to think of more silly things you may be doing just to 'live up' to somebody else's idea (or even YOUR idead of what somebody else's idea may be) and find your own REAL way to be and live.
Two points here:
1) are you using your home to portray a business image and this image will influence your finances?
in that case, you must pay some attention to how your home is represented.
2) is this your home and you're inviting guest to it, wanting to share a good time?
jn this case, your guests will already feel grateful about being invited. More than likely, if they are 'good friend' potential, they will not worry about a bathroom that hasn't been scrubbed with a tooth brush.
I'll just share my own perspective:
I like a nice, somewhat clean and somewhat organized home.
I do NOT feel comfortable in a place where the hostess has a need to wipe every surface as soon as somebody breathes on it (exxageration as you can see, but you may get the picture)
I feel uncomfortable in people's homes when they worry about how good their home looks. Even though I don't care about how good their home looks, their anxiety about it transfers on me.
I may be empathic more than some, but I think that SOME of that worry transfers on every guest in a home.
I have probably 'over-answered' here, and perhaps left questions unanswered. Feel free to email for other feedback.
2006-11-27 18:52:55 · answer #5 · answered by flywho 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Most people, like me, use the holidays as an excuse to do some major cleaning, since it has been since spring that we did the last big clean-up.
There will always be someone who goes the extra mile, and gets the toothbrush out to clean areas that will never be seen by anyone besides themselves, and maybe the plumber!
Me, I do what can be seen by guests, and spend the rest of the time cooking, and decorating, and having fun!
2006-11-27 18:39:19 · answer #6 · answered by riversconfluence 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
We do it because we know we are going to be too busy over the holiday season. A good clean up, then you can get away with just doing the basics and free up time for the visitors. Really it does make it feel great.
2006-11-27 22:04:46 · answer #7 · answered by obenypopstar 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My husband seems to think it is silly, then again, his parents live in filth. My home is always "surprise guest" ready, but when I'm having people over for a holiday or party, I clean everything including shampooing the carpets.
2006-11-28 00:17:57 · answer #8 · answered by Becky 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think it's great to do this, it makes you feel ready to enjoy your time with family and friends. I have a housekeeper, and love coming to a clean home. I just need to hire holiday helpers for lighting. Just do what makes you feel good, keeping your home neat makes you enjoy it fully. I always do, after all I paid a lot for it, so I might as well enjoy it to the max. Cheers!
2006-11-27 18:45:04 · answer #9 · answered by You are loved 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well that's the least you can do once a year if not weekly or monthly. You don't want guests to see how filthy your home is do you. They will go home with that in their minds and they will talk about how dirty your house is. People are just like that, they do talk and criticise.
2006-11-27 19:48:26 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋