Having people over for drinks, backyard parties or, most recently, Thanksgiving dinners can be one of the most enjoyable things in the world. Many of us love inviting visitors into our humble dwellings, and we always go the extra mile to make them feel as comfortable as possible. Fluffy pillows, soft lighting, scented candles, soothing music, you name it, making our guests feel at home tends to make us all happy and warm inside, too.
But some people may have a different idea of what being a respectful and courteous guest means. Then, it can do homeowners well to set some boundaries and stick to them from the get-go.
So to gain inspiration from people who firmly draw the line, Redditor cigarandcreamsoda reached out to fellow members of the 'Ask Reddit' community: "What is a non-negotiable rule in your house for everyone?" As the thread immediately became a hit, we at Bored Panda have gathered a list of some of the most interesting responses down below. Continue scrolling to check them all out, upvote the ones you agree with, and be sure to share your own unyielding house rules with us in the comments!
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I live alone with my dog. When my friends come over, they make comments about my dog being on my furniture or that he sleeps in the bed with me. It’s my house and my dog’s house. If they don’t like it, they can leave.
You best share a photo so I can verify they are indeed cats... must see every cat that exists before I die
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When I first met my now husband he dared make the comment about the dogs not being allowed in the bed if he was staying over. I told him the dogs were here first and if he kept that up they'd be here much longer than him. My dogs happily slept with us for the rest of their lives
I have two cats and some visitors always ask why they get away with so much, like occasionally scratching furniture or climbing it. It's their home and they can pretty much do what they want if it makes them happy.
Besides, have you ever tried to prevent cats from doing things? Once they've decided they will, it's game over
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There's a huge culture of people who still don't even think pet dogs or cats should be INSIDE the house... I don't understand that ....not only are they in my house they're on my furniture they're in my bed ....oh my gosh they RULE ME!!!
I never had my dogs on the furniture or my bed, but it doesn't bother me that other people do. Sometimes I would sit on their beds to cuddle them though
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I sleep with my 2 dogs (1 under the blankets and the other on top as he gets too hot). Sometimes my fur grandson sleeps with us too. Very crowded bed!
Till you go to sleep...😆....I can hear the thump from across the house, know exactly what the little buggers do when they think no one is watching
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I simply don't understand people who go to the homes of other people, and dare comment on what the fur family can and cannot do. That's incredibly rude, and insensitive. Personally, I'd be delighted to be surrounded by someone's non-human family (provided I don't get eaten). I only ask for a place to put my bag, and coat. But sometimes even that's not an option. ;)
This. Same rule with me and my cat. It is my home and hers, you are visitors. She's the boss and queen. Don't like it, leave.
my cat sleeps with other people and that means just means that they don't give their animals the best life they can have
I have chairs and one seat that are a no-dog-zone. If you sit on the couch he will be on your lap and that's ok.
My mum had a service dog and as such was not meant to sleep on her bed ( service dog rules) not only did he sleep on her bed but he had his own hot water bottle, ( after he kept pinching my mums)
If hot water bottles are a pain to deal with, you can buy pet heating pads in all sizes online. They're a bit different than heating pads for people because they're made to stay on all the time but won't ever get too hot. I have several different versions of pet heating pads and heated pet beds and they all work great! :)
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My dog sleeps on my dads pillow. She gets out of the closet at 4:00 am and pushes his head away.
My cats are allowed everywhere… except where there’s open food or something dangerous. It’s their house too.
Our pets are our family and no one gets to say anything about it, including blood relations. If they don't like it, they can leave and never return. For the record, our pets take priority over other family. We will never sacrifice them for anyone.
My cats have free run of the apartment. It is their home, I just live here.
My pupper makes the perfect couch warmer, bed warmer, and heart warmer. Eff anyone who doesn't get it!
My cats are my family and they're going to sit and sleep anywhere the rest of my family and friends do. Can you sit on my kitchen counter? No. And neither can my cats.
Why do people feel the need to comment on how some one else lives? We have 3 cats and two dogs....they are allowed to sleep in the bed and sit on the couch.
I had my BF over one night and he was always afraid of my cat, just doesn't like animals. No prob but when we came downstairs in the morning my sweet boy had obviously been asleep all night on his jacket and left a furry ring on it's lining. BF was SO pissed off but I explained that if you disrespect the inmates, they disrespect your stuff.
You don't get to hug my kids if they don't want to hug you. I don't care if you're the grandparent or what.
If there is a cat on your lap, you don’t have to get up for any reason.
Knock first! Bathroom, bedroom or study room. Knocking is a slowly forgotten art of respect.
The dog lives here - you don’t.
I have timid cats, leave them alone. If they come up to you, fine. Don't be chasing them around the house trying to pet them or pick them up. You won't be invited over ever again.
Don't f**k around with someone when they are asleep. If someone is asleep, they're off limits, no messing with/pranks and no waking up without good reason. It wasn't until talking to my friends who had siblings who would pile things on them, move the bed, wake them up in the middle of the night (just general sibling hijinks) And realised how important the 'leave sleeping family members alone' was in our house growing up
Don’t feed my dogs, anything. I don’t care how cute they are looking at you.
WASHING HANDS AFTER USING THE WASHROOM.
No smoking
As someone who used to smoke, I totally agree. If you want to smoke you can go to the balcony.
Car doesn’t go in drive unless everyone has their seatbelts on.
Nobody gets humiliated. For nothing. Joking around, banter, discussions, arguments, all fine. Humiliation, as in name calling, laughing down, patronising, unhelpful comments that just hurt and don't do anything else - no.
My husband has a very snarky sense of humor. Back when we were dating I told him his jokes were too similar to what my bullies did in school. After a short discussion we came up with a solution. When he has a joke that might be hurtful he says that it is a joke BEFORE saying the joke. That way he can indulge his sense of humor and I know he thought about whether it might be hurtful or not and wanted me to know he is not serious. It took practice on his part, some patience on mine, but very quickly he was pretty good about it, and not long after that, real good. All because he didn't want to hurt me and once he knew his words hurt he wanted to change. So, yes, no humiliation, no bullying in my house.
Don't put stuff on the stairs. Almost died once. Never again!
One of the biggest rules is actually for when people are leaving my home, and it's a very simple one, "Text me when you get home safely."
Noone gets in without at least 5 days of warning and an exact arrival time. I need to f*****g clean.
If you pee on the toilet seat clean it up!!!
I am a single parent with 2 boys, I know I'm not the one peeing on the toilet seat but apparently they don't either.
Unless you've explicitly been invited to spend the night go away at the end of the night. I'll call you an uber, I'll pay your cab if I have to, I'll give you a ride to retrieve your car tomorrow, but go away.
I like hosting, but only friends who also leave without basically being shoved out the door eventually.
I have a friend who never knows when to leave. I could be standing in my pj's after a shower with lights turned off and she would still be sitting chatting with herself. I love her to death, but she is very clueless. Now I just tell her to leave when she overstays.
Put the lid down on toilet! We have shelves by the toilet and I don't know how many stuff jumped into the toilet.
Omg my friend and I just talked about this. Who wants to look into a toilet. If you’re not using it the lid is shut so that nothing randomly falls down it. When your lipstick goes flying off the counter it doesn’t go into the poo water. It’s an obvi that most households don’t even care about. A simple thing too.
Don't leave time on the microwave!
Someone is doing that at work....I' ll find him one day and then..... (Liam Neeson voice)
If the TV is on, your phone volume should be set to zero or else wear headphones. Same goes for any other electronic devices. There are few things more annoying than volume wars in the living room.
I wish my parents would do this. They always have their TV playing very loudly even when noone is watching it. Meanwhile my autistic nephew runs around playing loud irritating repetitive youtube videos on his tablet, their phones are always going and when they answer they shout over the din. The noise levels can get ridiculous and it really stresses me out. I almost always end up with a migraine whenever I spend any time there.
Don't EVER touch my God damn thermostat ........EVER!
One side of the kitchen sink stays empty!
We have one of those two-basin stainless sinks and it drives me absolutely bonkers when I have to remove and stack dishes just to get water to make coffee in the morning.
No outside clothes on the bed
You *will* give my dogs at minimum one pat and one "good boy" each or you're leaving.
Since my friends have manners, I have no rules. If you aren't a friend, you're not in my house
That how it should be. If people have manners, they don't need any imposing rules.
It used to be to not pee on the carpet.
My wiener dog disagrees with that rule
Well, you have to respect the fact that your flatmate may have different views.
Who ever has the higher standard for a chore does the chore.
When I do the dishes, I do the dishes. When my wife does the dishes, she does the dishes, makes coffee, and wipes down the counters.
When my wife sweeps, she gets the major areas. When I sweep, I move all the furniture and toys, then sweep every room, under every bed, then spot mop, then vacuum all the rugs and carpeted areas.
Minimum pants (underwear) at the dinner table. Remarkably something you have to enforce quite often with small children.
This is funny because it's true... my kid was quite a nudist as a toddler 🤣
If there is food in the house, it is available to anyone. Company included.
That is really nice. It’s available to company. IF THEY ASK ME!!! If company goes into my kitchen opens my cabinets and fridge and has at it. I have a big probably with that. To grab a water sure. But just ask about the food and I’ll be happy to share but to have the audacity to rummage through someone else’s fridge or cabinets without asking first. Yikes
No slamming doors.
Strange how in TV shows, when someone is arguing in the kitchen they slam the doors and drawers ....just wait till they have soft close and it will seem surreal
Clean after yourself. Let people have their turn to speak. If things get heated, take break before you say s**t you’ll regret afterwards.
And always, always, close the dog gate after you walk in lest the dog go on an endless adventure.
Hubby still isn't fully trained on closing the gate. Our lab has escaped several times but we live where traffic isn't an issue. Still, I'm ready to string Hubby up by his thumbs at times.
If i want to sit on my countertops don’t tell me i f*****g cant.
Thats what my cats try to tell me about the tables..... I have allready given up on trying to stop them, Im nothing but a 100kg can apener to them.
Note: this post originally had 50 images. It’s been shortened to the top 40 images based on user votes.
I would add to not start filming on your camera at my home unless I give you permission. It shouldn't have to be said but, here we go. I have a friend who's grown, adult daughter comes by with her occasionally and she'll just start filming a tiktok video while walking around my home. I mentioned this to a co-worker of mine once and she said she found out one of her daughter's friend's parents are family vloggers and they did a whole video for their 'family blog' with her daughter in it because she had visited once. I don't have kids but I would be super annoyed if you put pictures or video of my kid online without my permission.
Yeah, all daycares, schools etc. have to have you sign waivers, but (a-hole) friends could just put your toddler up on the Internet... I'm glad my friends and family always ask before sharing pictures and videos with someone.
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I have two rules except the common ones like no shoes, be clean and don't be rude: No. 1 is: If I cook, you eat. If I invite people over there will be at least snacks available. These snacks are home made. If you tell me beforehand that you will have eaten before - fine. I won't cook anything. But if I invte you to my house expect food. You don't have to eat a lot. I will accomodate to your diet. If your vegan, veggie, gluten free - I'll make it possible. I will spend time and energy to make this food so show some respect and eat it. Or tell me beforehand you're not hungry. The second rule is to drink while eating. I hate people who only eat and don't have a glass on the side while doing so. I will make you drink at least a glass of water while at mine. Because y'all don't drink enough and it's weird to not drink while eating.
None of these rules are strange. Most of them should be common sense and a matter of respect.
Honestly the only bizarre one to me was 'don't look outside during these random three minutes'.
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Some of you are quite gracious! Many of you are not folks whose home I would care to visit.
just curious, what rules do you not like from this list? I thought most of them seemed reasonable
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For G's sake put the toilet lid down when you flush! Especially after Nr 2! Saves a lot of smell and bacteria floating around the bathroom! I'm not a hypochondriac but this can make me pretty pissed off if you don't do it. Also: if it's not in the laundry basket it won't get washed. Period.
Really, my only rule for guests is, no guests in the house. It keeps things simple. My kids' friends come over on occasion, but those are kids, and they're usually more well behaved than my own kids, so it's cool. Adults are too judgey, they can stay in their own houses.
LOL I made an exception for a mom who wanted to pick up her kid or with a bday party, the parents could bring em inside. My immediate family is welcome, because they don't judge.
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Stay outta my kitchen. If I'm cooking, I'm using a knife. Do not be int he way. Please. Other than that, just take off your shoes, be polite.
Mine is no sudden movements or sound. Due to my autism I have really bad sensory issues and get very quickly thrown into a meltdown if I see something suddenly coming towards me or moving in general or if someone is talking at a normal volume and then suddenly shouting or yelling, or just making a lot of noise. It stresses me out and a lot of people don't get it, specifically my parents
My oldest son and his GF are both autistic but on each end/side of the spectrum so they complement each other. I didn't know then but we never shout in our house because my youngest son and I get migraines really quickly. One of his friends had to stop coming over because he was doing exactly like you described and we couldn't take it.
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It's easier to remain alone than make rules. My only rule: Humans not welcome here.
My own rule is "let me know you are coming in advance or accept that I may not have cold beer for you and you will have to accept whatever food is on. If you let me know in advance, beer will be cold and I will prepare food you will like."
The animals get fed first.... dogs then the raptors and the donkey before any human lol
My rules are as follows: You don't have to love on the dogs, but you do have to be nice to them; they love you and if you make them sad, I will make YOU sad. You don't have to ask for permission to use the bathroom, get yourself some water or a tissue, or for a blanket/sweater if you're cold. Pick up after yourself, especially anything the dogs might try to eat. End of list.
You have to pay attention to my kids. They’re excited you’re here. They want to welcome you into their home and offer a treat. They want to show you their cool stuff. They want to tell you their secrets and play. It takes less than five minutes of our adult time, but sticks with them forever. And meal time means family time. No outside world. For us, meal time is time for fueling, grounding, and reconnecting with each other. And careful when petting that one particular cat, he’s unpredictable.
My house, my rules, and no one else gets a say, PERIOD. FLUSH the FKing toilet, wash your hands, and clean up after yourself. No smoking anywhere on our property. You do NOT get to turn on the TV or change the channel because it's our home, not yours. You do NOT question any of our purchases. Our lifestyle is none of your business. We don't want kids, so STFKUP or your out on your a**e, NO EXCEPTIONS.
My mom's was no food in the bedroom. My husband and I just moved to an area with a lot of hiking and walking trails. Our daughter has a rule that if we say "stop," "wait," or "too far" then she had better stop walking. Grandma also has our daughter and her best friend trained the same way. The girls are 3 and 4.
Mine is that no one may punish themselves in regards to food. In this house we feed ourselves with love.
No slamming doors or yelling through the house for someone's attention.
No drugs or alcohol allowed in my home. What you do in your own space is your business but I worked hard to get sober and I want to stay that way.
I'm sorry, but if you invite me to your house, your pet isn't more important than I am. WAY too many pet rules here.
Okay, you're getting downvoted and shouldn't. Yes, too many about the pets. I have to pet your cat because it wants me to? I don't think so. Same with a child; it's not getting in my arms if I don't want that child in my arms.
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No phones or hats at the dinner table is a big one in my house. Sorry if you have hat hair, but I really don't give a s*it. There's no reason to wear a hat while you're eating and unless it's a family member (who knows better than to call at dinner time so if they do, it's an emergency), there is no call or text that can't wait 30 minutes.
Not sure why you're getting downvoted so here's an upvote to keep you at 0.
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1) Hard rule: NO tilting of windows! Open it fully or close it, but just tilted is a death trap for cats. 2) Should be obvious rule: Nice of you to help me tidy up, but only clean stuff is to be put in its place. Yes, even if fresh out of the dishwasher, if it is still dirty it doesn't go into the cupboard. Yes, that pullover was only worn for half a day, but it goes to "the chair", not back into the wardrobe.
wdym by tilting windows? Our windows only slide up and down, I don't think I've ever seen one that tilts
Load More Replies... I would add to not start filming on your camera at my home unless I give you permission. It shouldn't have to be said but, here we go. I have a friend who's grown, adult daughter comes by with her occasionally and she'll just start filming a tiktok video while walking around my home. I mentioned this to a co-worker of mine once and she said she found out one of her daughter's friend's parents are family vloggers and they did a whole video for their 'family blog' with her daughter in it because she had visited once. I don't have kids but I would be super annoyed if you put pictures or video of my kid online without my permission.
Yeah, all daycares, schools etc. have to have you sign waivers, but (a-hole) friends could just put your toddler up on the Internet... I'm glad my friends and family always ask before sharing pictures and videos with someone.
Load More Replies... I have two rules except the common ones like no shoes, be clean and don't be rude: No. 1 is: If I cook, you eat. If I invite people over there will be at least snacks available. These snacks are home made. If you tell me beforehand that you will have eaten before - fine. I won't cook anything. But if I invte you to my house expect food. You don't have to eat a lot. I will accomodate to your diet. If your vegan, veggie, gluten free - I'll make it possible. I will spend time and energy to make this food so show some respect and eat it. Or tell me beforehand you're not hungry. The second rule is to drink while eating. I hate people who only eat and don't have a glass on the side while doing so. I will make you drink at least a glass of water while at mine. Because y'all don't drink enough and it's weird to not drink while eating.
None of these rules are strange. Most of them should be common sense and a matter of respect.
Honestly the only bizarre one to me was 'don't look outside during these random three minutes'.
Load More Replies... Some of you are quite gracious! Many of you are not folks whose home I would care to visit.
just curious, what rules do you not like from this list? I thought most of them seemed reasonable
Load More Replies... For G's sake put the toilet lid down when you flush! Especially after Nr 2! Saves a lot of smell and bacteria floating around the bathroom! I'm not a hypochondriac but this can make me pretty pissed off if you don't do it. Also: if it's not in the laundry basket it won't get washed. Period.
Really, my only rule for guests is, no guests in the house. It keeps things simple. My kids' friends come over on occasion, but those are kids, and they're usually more well behaved than my own kids, so it's cool. Adults are too judgey, they can stay in their own houses.
LOL I made an exception for a mom who wanted to pick up her kid or with a bday party, the parents could bring em inside. My immediate family is welcome, because they don't judge.
Load More Replies... Stay outta my kitchen. If I'm cooking, I'm using a knife. Do not be int he way. Please. Other than that, just take off your shoes, be polite.
Mine is no sudden movements or sound. Due to my autism I have really bad sensory issues and get very quickly thrown into a meltdown if I see something suddenly coming towards me or moving in general or if someone is talking at a normal volume and then suddenly shouting or yelling, or just making a lot of noise. It stresses me out and a lot of people don't get it, specifically my parents
My oldest son and his GF are both autistic but on each end/side of the spectrum so they complement each other. I didn't know then but we never shout in our house because my youngest son and I get migraines really quickly. One of his friends had to stop coming over because he was doing exactly like you described and we couldn't take it.
Load More Replies... It's easier to remain alone than make rules. My only rule: Humans not welcome here.
My own rule is "let me know you are coming in advance or accept that I may not have cold beer for you and you will have to accept whatever food is on. If you let me know in advance, beer will be cold and I will prepare food you will like."
The animals get fed first.... dogs then the raptors and the donkey before any human lol
My rules are as follows: You don't have to love on the dogs, but you do have to be nice to them; they love you and if you make them sad, I will make YOU sad. You don't have to ask for permission to use the bathroom, get yourself some water or a tissue, or for a blanket/sweater if you're cold. Pick up after yourself, especially anything the dogs might try to eat. End of list.
You have to pay attention to my kids. They’re excited you’re here. They want to welcome you into their home and offer a treat. They want to show you their cool stuff. They want to tell you their secrets and play. It takes less than five minutes of our adult time, but sticks with them forever. And meal time means family time. No outside world. For us, meal time is time for fueling, grounding, and reconnecting with each other. And careful when petting that one particular cat, he’s unpredictable.
My house, my rules, and no one else gets a say, PERIOD. FLUSH the FKing toilet, wash your hands, and clean up after yourself. No smoking anywhere on our property. You do NOT get to turn on the TV or change the channel because it's our home, not yours. You do NOT question any of our purchases. Our lifestyle is none of your business. We don't want kids, so STFKUP or your out on your a**e, NO EXCEPTIONS.
My mom's was no food in the bedroom. My husband and I just moved to an area with a lot of hiking and walking trails. Our daughter has a rule that if we say "stop," "wait," or "too far" then she had better stop walking. Grandma also has our daughter and her best friend trained the same way. The girls are 3 and 4.
Mine is that no one may punish themselves in regards to food. In this house we feed ourselves with love.
No slamming doors or yelling through the house for someone's attention.
No drugs or alcohol allowed in my home. What you do in your own space is your business but I worked hard to get sober and I want to stay that way.
I'm sorry, but if you invite me to your house, your pet isn't more important than I am. WAY too many pet rules here.
Okay, you're getting downvoted and shouldn't. Yes, too many about the pets. I have to pet your cat because it wants me to? I don't think so. Same with a child; it's not getting in my arms if I don't want that child in my arms.
Load More Replies... No phones or hats at the dinner table is a big one in my house. Sorry if you have hat hair, but I really don't give a s*it. There's no reason to wear a hat while you're eating and unless it's a family member (who knows better than to call at dinner time so if they do, it's an emergency), there is no call or text that can't wait 30 minutes.
Not sure why you're getting downvoted so here's an upvote to keep you at 0.
Load More Replies... 1) Hard rule: NO tilting of windows! Open it fully or close it, but just tilted is a death trap for cats. 2) Should be obvious rule: Nice of you to help me tidy up, but only clean stuff is to be put in its place. Yes, even if fresh out of the dishwasher, if it is still dirty it doesn't go into the cupboard. Yes, that pullover was only worn for half a day, but it goes to "the chair", not back into the wardrobe.
wdym by tilting windows? Our windows only slide up and down, I don't think I've ever seen one that tilts
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