Visitors' smoking in your home is considered the most terrible form of houseguest behaviour according to a new poll of 1,400 people conducted by Good Homes magazine.
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In the top ten of ten terrible houseguest behaviours, lighting up in somebody else's house was the number one offence.
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In second place comes guests' overstaying their welcome – something to be extra clear about with visitors due to stay over the Easter period.
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Criticising the home décor is the third houseguest behaviour likely to get backs up, with guests who argue in fourth place.
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Guests who put their feet up on the furniture came in fifth place followed by clean-freak visitors checking the furniture for dust.
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People were more forgiving about visitors sitting in the host's favourite armchair (nineth place) but last on the list was those guests who didn't bring a gift or a bottle as thankyou for their stay.Ìý
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Bernie Herlihly, Editor of Good Homes magazine says: "Having guests over can seem like a good idea but the result can be a minefield of house etiquette issues.
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"Defining some gentle house rules, especially for guests that are due to stay for a night or two, can be key to a harmonious houseguest experience."
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The survey was conducted in February 2008 via a ´óÏó´«Ã½ Magazines reader panel of adults aged sixteen years and above.
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Top 10 of bad behaviours from houseguests – 1,403 respondents
1. Smoking
2. Overstaying their welcome
3. Criticising home decoration
4. Arguing
5. Putting feet on the furniture
6. Checking furniture for dust
7. Eating the contents of the fridge
8. Hogging the remote control
9. Stealing your favourite armchair
10. Not bringing a bottle/gift.
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Full percentage breakdown:
1. Smoking – 36.78%
2. Overstaying their welcome –Ìý 25.94%
3. Criticising home decoration – 9.34%
4. Arguing – 6.63%
5. Putting feet on the furniture –Ìý 6.49%
6. Checking furniture for dust – 6.20%
7. Eating the content of the fridge –Ìý 4.35%
8. Hogging the remote control – 2.14%
9. Stealing your favourite armchair – 1.35%
10. Not bringing a bottle/gift – 0.78%
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