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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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#1
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.
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#2
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.
#4
If there is a cat on your lap, you don’t have to get up for any reason.
#5
Knock first! Bathroom, bedroom or study room. Knocking is a slowly forgotten art of respect.
#6
The dog lives here - you don’t.
#7
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.
#8
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
#9
Don’t feed my dogs, anything. I don’t care how cute they are looking at you.
#10
WASHING HANDS AFTER USING THE WASHROOM.
#11
No smoking
troufaki13 2 years ago
As someone who used to smoke, I totally agree. If you want to smoke you can go to the balcony.
#13
Car doesn’t go in drive unless everyone has their seatbelts on.
#14
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.
Squirrelly Panda 2 years ago
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.
#17
Don't put stuff on the stairs. Almost died once. Never again!
#18
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."
#19
Noone gets in without at least 5 days of warning and an exact arrival time. I need to f*****g clean.
#20
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.
#24
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.
Rūta Marija Tamulevičiūtė 2 years ago
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.
#25
Put the lid down on toilet! We have shelves by the toilet and I don't know how many stuff jumped into the toilet.
EP 2 years ago
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.
#27
Don't leave time on the microwave!
ADHORTATOR 2 years ago
Someone is doing that at work....I' ll find him one day and then..... (Liam Neeson voice)
#28
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.
KnightOwl 2 years ago
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.
#29
Don't EVER touch my God damn thermostat ........EVER!
#30
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.
#31
No outside clothes on the bed
#32
You *will* give my dogs at minimum one pat and one "good boy" each or you're leaving.
#33
Since my friends have manners, I have no rules. If you aren't a friend, you're not in my house
Cuppa tea? 2 years ago
That how it should be. If people have manners, they don't need any imposing rules.
#34
It used to be to not pee on the carpet.
My wiener dog disagrees with that rule
Headless Roach 2 years ago
Well, you have to respect the fact that your flatmate may have different views.
#35
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.
#36
Minimum pants (underwear) at the dinner table. Remarkably something you have to enforce quite often with small children.
Lord Mysticlaw 2 years ago
This is funny because it's true... my kid was quite a nudist as a toddler 🤣
#37
If there is food in the house, it is available to anyone. Company included.
EP 2 years ago
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
#38
No slamming doors.
Will Cable 2 years ago
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
#39
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.
Just me, myself, and I 2 years ago
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.
#40
If i want to sit on my countertops don’t tell me i f*****g cant.
What do you think ?
Kate Jones 2 years ago
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.
Pizzagirl 91 2 years ago
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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wifeofweasley 2 years ago
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.
Happy_Pandalover 2 years ago
None of these rules are strange. Most of them should be common sense and a matter of respect.
Dodo 1 year ago
Honestly the only bizarre one to me was 'don't look outside during these random three minutes'.
Load More Replies... Kate Jones 2 years ago
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.
Pizzagirl 91 2 years ago
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... wifeofweasley 2 years ago
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.
Happy_Pandalover 2 years ago
None of these rules are strange. Most of them should be common sense and a matter of respect.
Dodo 1 year ago
Honestly the only bizarre one to me was 'don't look outside during these random three minutes'.
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