My Husband and I are going to be temporarily moving into a house with our two small kids for a couple months. And there is already 3 adults and 1 small child living there. So total there will be 5 adults and 3 small kids. These people are our dear friends, and we don't want to lose them over stupid trivial stuff or pet peeves while we are living there, as can sometimes happen when living with roommates. So besides just being open about stuff that bothers each other, can anyone suggest a way to make sure no one is stepping on anyone's toes or pissing anyone else off?
2007-03-15 07:27:41 · 3 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
Sit down and talk about it right away. Voice your concern to maintain the friendship. Ask about pet peeves and all that stuff. Get it out in the open then do your best to not step on toes. It's their house, so you will have to be the ones to compromise pretty much all the time. Ask for agreement to speak up if there is a problem, and agree to not get mad when someone does speak.
2007-03-15 08:06:17 · answer #1 · answered by BaseballGrrl 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Make sure you observe the small child's sleep schedule. When that child goes to bed, it should be bedtime for yours as well so that there is little noise.
Clean up after yourself. Keep your belongings in one room as much as possible. Do housework. Pick up household items ... note the brands that they use and purchase the same kind. Chip in for groceries and don't hog the refrigerator. Take out the garbage, mow the lawn, do odd jobs around the house.
Make sure that you offer to watch their child so that they can have an evening out. Make sure you leave the house often so that they aren't feeling suffocated. If weekend getaways are possible, do it a few times.
You are indeed their guest. The old saying is that guests and fish are a lot alike - after a few days, they stink.
Good luck!
2007-03-16 18:53:39 · answer #2 · answered by aivilo 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Act like you're the guest (and you are!) by being polite and courteous. Don't make a mess or too much noise and try to give that family their space every once in a while. Take your family out to dinner so they can eat alone sometimes. Also, offer to pay for things, such as TP or the electric bill.
2007-03-15 15:27:31 · answer #3 · answered by Christabelle 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋