Is it rude to ask your host if you can check your email on their computer?

Question

Say you are at someone's house, watching a game or just hanging out. Is it rude to ask if you can your email on their computer?

Wow! A lot of people feel strongly about this issue. Just for the record, I would never ask someone if I could use their computer, but I wouldn't mind if someone asked to use mine. I was curious as to what people thought!

Answer 1

It depends on the atmosphere and what specifically you're doing. If you're just "hanging out" and everyone is doing their own thing indepently, then no. If everyone is gathered together and talking and checking your email will break you off from the group, then yes. If you are reliant on your email for business reasons, people will understand and it's not rude.

The best rule of thumb is that if it can wait (and personal email usually CAN wait), then wait until you get home.

Answer 2

If you don't know the person well enough to jump on their computer or phone without having to ask - then yes, it's most likely on the rude side - with the exception of an emergency... you're waiting for a specific email or something...

But if its a good enough friend, you shouldn't have to ask.... and if you do need to ask, then you probably should just wait until you get home.

Answer 3

I would say yes unless you are expecting an extremely important e-mail. I actually had someone do this to me and I found it rude because once she began checking her email, all the others of course wanted to too, and then the kids wanted to play on the computer. E-mail can wait until they get home.

Answer 4

I have refused to allow guests to use my computer when visiting my home before, for a variety of reasons. So my answer, is you can ask, but don't be put out if you hear a "no."

Some reasons why I wouldn't allow it:
a. I don't check my email when I have company, because I am focused on my guests. (If I have houseguests staying overnight, that is different).

b. People who don't own their own computer (they're few and far between these days, but they still come to my house) coming over to use mine. They'll be on it for hours and they're there for the computer not for me.

Answer 5

When I am just hanging out, with a cousin or a close friend, then I do that all the time. I ask if I can use their comp. If I am there specifically for a party or a dinner invitation, or for something else specific or if I am hanging out with acquaintances or people I barely know, then I don't.

Answer 6

I don't see anything wrong with that. Just ask politely, and I'm sure your host won't have a problem with that. If I was ever hosting something and someone asked me to use my computer I would say "Go right ahead, I don't care"

Answer 7

Yes. If you are visiting someone, you are there to see them. Asking them to use their computer to check your mail is sending them the message that you don't really want to talk to them. If you are on an extended visit or something like that, it is different. But you shouldn't be using their computer for the whole time you are there.

Answer 8

Yes. I personally think so. You can't wait for a couple of hours while you are with friends,before checking your e-mail? I do think it's very rude. You should wait til you get home to check your email.

Answer 9

That would be rude as hell! First, you don't know what personal information they have on their computer, secondly, you're supposed to be at their house, spending time with them, then your going to ask to check your email, let alone on their system?

Very tacky and disrespectful.

Answer 10

Yes it is rude. Very much so. You're supposed to be there to be enjoying the company of the other people there.

You can check your email when you get home.