My boyfriend's best friend from childhood is an exact clone of Barney Gumble (from the Simpsons) in regards to drinking, but fortunately lives out of state. My boyfriend stopped drinking heavily last year, and says he's happier for it. Now "Barney" is coming to spend a week with us, and plans to move to our town/neighborhood in the fall. How do I deal with this situation, and my anxieties that my lovely boyfriend will revert to his old ways? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Jun 30, 2009 - 46 answers

How can an introvert survive and hopefully thrive while entertaining short to medium term house guests? (Long term being out of the freaking question!) [more inside]
posted by srboisvert on Jun 8, 2009 - 20 answers

I love entertaining at home, but I also love going to bed. How do I encourage my guests to leave at a reasonable time? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Oct 14, 2008 - 37 answers

We're reconfiguring our house to make room for a second child. We'd like to continue to have someplace comfortable for guests to sleep, but we're short on space. [more inside]
posted by larsks on Aug 20, 2008 - 22 answers

Where do two foodies take a family with children in Toronto? And once we've eaten, what are the must see places for boys, 6 and 8? [more inside]
posted by gesamtkunstwerk on Jul 19, 2008 - 8 answers

How can my mom tactfully kick out guests who've overstayed their welcome? [more inside]
posted by batcrazy on Jun 10, 2008 - 24 answers

How do I create a TV schedule based on a topic? [more inside]
posted by bristolcat on Jan 16, 2008 - 4 answers

Please help us find a unique but elegant wedding reception venue in Sioux Falls, SD! [more inside]
posted by bristolcat on Jan 30, 2007 - 6 answers

When friends with whom you don't usually spend time in close quarters come for a brief stay at your house, what things should you change about your everyday, hanging-around the house behavior? [more inside]
posted by gregb1007 on Jan 18, 2007 - 29 answers

One of my wife's distant friends has attempted to invite herself to stay with us, again. She did this last March, and we used the excuse of me starting a new job and needing to do x, y, and z as well as the "out of town" excuse for any remaining dates. This got us off scot-free, but we both knew the time would come again... and it's here. We need a final solution. [more inside]
posted by jeffxl on Jan 16, 2007 - 123 answers

Dinner Parties! I'm looking for impressive recipes. How did you last knock your guests' socks off? A few minor restrictions and links to previous great threads inside. [more inside]
posted by CunningLinguist on Nov 27, 2005 - 18 answers

Ack, I'm not vegan! But I've got a friend with three kids under 9 who is, and they're coming to stay a few days. This hapless carnivore and starchivore needs your culinary assistance to feed adults and kids. [more inside]
posted by majick on Jun 29, 2004 - 33 answers

Dealing with parents: How to say 'no'? They want to make an extended visit beyond anything we find reasonable. More behind the door... [more inside]
posted by Goofyy on May 20, 2004 - 14 answers