Do you give visting family a "tour" of your home?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I point out where they'll be sleeping (assuming overnight guests), where the bathrooms are (one on the main level, one in the basement), and where to find things in the kitchen. By then, we've basically seen the whole house except the bedrooms, which I leave closed off.

Just stopping by for a couple hours? No, no tour. I might say something like "let's go sit in the living room", and by the time we get there, they've seen the whole main level.

But I do remember being tasked as a young kid to give tours of our house to guests, so I think it is something that was common in prior generations.

Yes, I think this was very common 30-40 years ago. I also remember having to give a tour of our house when I was a kid, and it was not a big house.

[Anonymous]

Only if they ask

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Op here. I get the southern thing that a PP mentioned b/c my mom was a debutante from South Carolina, but my MIL has always been the more informal and casual of the two so the pushiness was bothersome. I will survive, but I wish she would have done a better job picking up on my discomfort.

I'm South Asian from the Midwest, this was a thing where I grew up too.

[Anonymous]

Only the closest of family needs to see beyond the main level.

[Anonymous]

I might ask if it's my first time at a house, but if they say "we don't do that" or "upstairs is a mess" or whatever equals "no" I certainly don't press - just ask which bathroom I can use to wash my hands. I would definitely never ask a second time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No.

DH likes to do this though including showing them inside closets. We grew up in NYC where there really wasn’t such a thing as a walk in closet so they do feel like a luxury but no one needs to see them, with my laundry basket and likely clothes crumpled on the floor etc!

NP and I’m still very excited to show people my washer and dryer! It’s the first stop on my house tour. You know you’ve found new friends from big cities when they oooh and ahh over full-size laundry machines inside a house.

I live in an apartment and I love seeing your utility room! Please tell me all about your new hot water heater, it sounds so exotic!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Maybe its a generational thing. My parents always did this when I was growing up. Now it doesn't really feel like a normal thing to do.

It's this. My parents also used to do this. I never would.

[Anonymous]

Yeah, it's normal in family.

[Anonymous]

Some friends once insisted on giving us the most tedious tour of their house. Opened every closet to show how nicely things were organized. One closet was just for their 42 "puffy" coats - there were a lot of closets. (And they don't have kids) Every drawer in the kitchen. It went on forever. Weird.

[Anonymous]

I think it's weird because you're thinking of it as a tour even if it can be called that. I wouldn't do this for a big group gathering but if my SIL, MIL or a close friend comes to the house for the first time, we show them the whole place.

[Anonymous]

I remember when I moved into a new apartment after leaving my children's father my ex MIL came by to pick up the kids and insisted on a tour. 2 bedroom 1 bathroom apartment 800 sq feet.

[Anonymous]

I have if asked. I love my home and spent lots of time decorating. It’s beautiful and I don’t mind showing it off.

[Anonymous]

Yes if we have a good relationship.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Who is curious about a house their relatives live in so much they ned a tour. This is very MC.

It’s weird but I’d give a quick lay of the land but in general guests are to stay out of home offices and other’s bedrooms.

[Anonymous]

I don't offer but have had people ask many times. I'm happy to show them around---family or otherwise.