House guests bringing their own toiletries (or not)

[Anonymous]

I always bring my own. If there is soap available, I will use it, but I would never presume that a bathroom in someone's home would be loaded like a hotel. And even hotels don't have toothpaste.

[Anonymous]

"I find it weird that you're so bothered by this. Presumably she's a good friend or she wouldn't be staying...so who cares if you have to shares stuff. "

+1

[Anonymous]

I always bring my own moisturizer/serum/facewash, because those are pretty specific (though if visiting a good friend I might ask to try something she uses, out of curiosity -- at least things with dispensers where I wouldn't get my germs in). I bring my own toothbrush and my own toothpaste (but the latter mostly because there's only one kind I like, the super basic crest). I'm not picky about shampoo/conditioner/soap and I would never expect a host to begrudge me those.

At the same time, if I'm staying somewhere a lot, like my in-laws, and I notice that some toiletries are running low, I pick up some up for their bathroom.

I always tell guests to help themselves to anything and ask them to let me know if they can't find something they need.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't think it's typical to travel with a hair dryer. I do bring my own toiletries but I also keep a drawer with hotel samples for guests.

This.

[Anonymous]

As a host I provide: guest bedroom with freshly made bed. Towel, shampoo, conditioner, soap, toothpaste. I always have extra toothbrushes that we get when we go to the dentist in case someone forgets. I have been asked by guests to borrow: nail polish remover, nail file, sunblock, moisturizer and I just let them borrow mine.

[Anonymous]

You seem to excessively annoyed by this.

I can't imagine caring (or noticing!) that a guest used my toothpaste. And getting annoyed about the hair dryer is just flat out bizarre.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You seem to excessively annoyed by this.

I can't imagine caring (or noticing!) that a guest used my toothpaste. And getting annoyed about the hair dryer is just flat out bizarre.

OP here. You're right. Although I do think that sharing toothpaste is gross no matter what. My frustration is more with this person in general and how helpless she is (can't book her own flight, can't check in for her flight, gets mad that I checked her in 2 minutes after the flight time and she had to board in the C group, etc). Then when she's at my house she needs to borrow a million things that she asks me for when I'm in the middle of doing something else because she doesn't want to bother buying anything travel sized although she travels several times per year.

Any friend who comes to stay with me--I'm happy to provide anything they need. This person--gets on my last nerve, so the requests are just icing on the cake. It's a family member, so I can't just not allow her to stay with us.

[Anonymous]

As a guest I always bring my own toiletries.

Sometimes when I'm at my grandma's I will want to try some of her stuff, be it a new cream or fragrance.
We're close so that's not a problem. I wouldn't do that if I were at someone else's house. I guess it depends on how close you are with the person.

When I host, I always tell my guests they can use whatever they want/need in the bathroom and to ask if they need something else they don't see. I think it's a nice way to make them feel welcome.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I travel prepared but also keep my bathrooms stocked for guests. I like people to feel welcome in my home. Also, some visitors have pointed out that part of the fun of visiting my house is trying out the bath/body products.

+1

[Anonymous]

We always put out hotel sized bottles, but don't care if guests use our toiletry products. I would find if weird if someone used my toothbrush or loofah though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I travel prepared but also keep my bathrooms stocked for guests. I like people to feel welcome in my home. Also, some visitors have pointed out that part of the fun of visiting my house is trying out the bath/body products.

+1

Yep. I travel with my own stuff, because I'm picky, but I also expect to provide stuff for guests when they are here. They are welcome to use anything they want (within reason--obviously not makeup or my Diva cup--lol). Actually, I don't use tampons or pads, but I do keep some on hand in case someone else needs them. And I guess I do have some beauty box makeup samples I haven't used that I would share. I even usually have extra toothbrushes I'd give. We used to have weekend guests twice a month or so, so I was just always thinking of ways to make them comfy. Now we have a baby and no real guest room, so not as many guests (though we do have someone staying now, and I couldn't even tell you if he has used anything or not).

[Anonymous]

We have basic toiletries like shampoo, conditioner, soap, body wash, toothpaste to use if they don't bring their own. I think I even have some new packages of toothbrushes in there - just in case. There's a hair dryer in there in case they forgot to bring one. Air freshener, bandaides, Kleenex.

I wouldn't think to put something like facial cleanser or moisturizer in there. Nor do I have mouthwash in there. I would be happy to run them to the store if they forgot to bring theirs though.

[Anonymous]

^We have little tubes of toothpaste in there from the dentist that they can use and take with them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I find it weird that you're so bothered by this. Presumably she's a good friend or she wouldn't be staying...so who cares if you have to shares stuff.
I travel with some stuff and some stuff I hope to find/borrow.

I'm guessing its the MIL. And that's the real reason OP is annoyed.

If this person is close enough to be a frequent house guest, I don't think its weird at all. I do travel with my own face lotion and makeup remover but that's because I'm particular about those. Everything else I wouldn't think twice about borrowing from a close family member.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You seem to excessively annoyed by this.

I can't imagine caring (or noticing!) that a guest used my toothpaste. And getting annoyed about the hair dryer is just flat out bizarre.

OP here. You're right. Although I do think that sharing toothpaste is gross no matter what. My frustration is more with this person in general and how helpless she is (can't book her own flight, can't check in for her flight, gets mad that I checked her in 2 minutes after the flight time and she had to board in the C group, etc). Then when she's at my house she needs to borrow a million things that she asks me for when I'm in the middle of doing something else because she doesn't want to bother buying anything travel sized although she travels several times per year.

Any friend who comes to stay with me--I'm happy to provide anything they need. This person--gets on my last nerve, so the requests are just icing on the cake. It's a family member, so I can't just not allow her to stay with us.

Just admit its your MIL. No one is fooled.