Unexpected house guests can make life difficult for hosts who then have to ensure that their home is clean and they have a guest bedroom prepared at short notice. If house guests are not careful, they will alienate their hosts and make them unwilling to offer their hospitality in the future if they feel that they have been taken advantage of.
Bring a Gift
It is common courtesy to bring a gift whenever you are shown hospitality. You can't go wrong with flowers and a small gift as a token of your appreciation for your hosts' generosity. This will help to bridge the awkwardness of arriving unexpectedly and it shows hosts that you are appreciative of their hospitality.
Duration of Visit
Hospitable hosts will not usually bring up the fact that they are keen to have their home all to themselves again within a day or two as it is bad form and reveals that they really do not want to have their home open for guests at that time. But if you are a house guest and have turned up unexpectedly you should make sure you let your hosts know how long you plan on staying soon after you arrive. Even if your hosts do not openly admit that they want to have their home to themselves again, it is good manners to mention how long you plan on staying and then asking if this fits in with their plans. If your hosts mention that they can only accommodate you for two days instead of four, do not be offended. After all, you are the one who showed up unexpectedly and did not give your hosts any warning of your arrival.
Departure
House guests should do their best to not overstay their unexpected welcome by departing on time rather than trying to prolong their visit, unless of course the hosts ask the house guests to stay longer. House guests who drag out their visit will often irritate the hosts who then have to deal with the fact that they felt compelled to provide hospitality at short notice as well as coping with an extended visit from the house guests.
If you ever find yourself turning up unexpectedly at someone's home and expect to stay for a few days, remember that your attitude and personal consideration of the hosts' feelings will determine whether you are welcome to return again or if you do not hear from them again in a long time. Demonstrating bad manners, overstaying your welcome and thinking only of your own advantage will not go down well with hosts.
