Anxious about dealing with unexpected house guests? Our favorite hostess shares some terrific tips and sound advice on how to cope with this situation and handle your surprise guests with grace and composure.

Video Transcription

[Music Playing] To paraphrase Ben Franklin: “Houseguests are like fish. You have to throw them out after about three days.” [Music Playing] I live in New York City and inevitably, I have many unexpected houseguests who are coming to visit. When they arrive, you can let them know gently that they were unexpected, but that it is okay that they stay, but for only a certain period of time. Remember, it is your house. You need to live there and you need to be comfortable too. Immediately, find out for how long they intend to be staying with you. Remember, you do not want to be running the free bed and breakfast. [Music Playing] Do not let them eat you out of house and home. Suggest that you go out for dinner, perhaps, a light dinner. Make sure that you recommend some fantastic things to do around the city so they are spending their entire time while visiting you inside of your house. [Music Playing] Bedtime can always be an awkward situation when you have a houseguest, especially when you live in a small apartment in New York City as I do. So, make sure that you feel comfortable telling them to turn the television down or keeping quiet when you are ready to go to sleep. So, keep these tips in mind when you find that friend on the doorstep of your house and also remember them when you come knocking at one of your friend’s doors.