Get Quartz in your inbox

Free daily briefing on global business news.

5 things that are off limits in someone else’s house

From the thermostat to the medicine cabinet, these common household items and spaces are best left alone when you’re visiting someone else

Kelsey Chance / Unsplash

Being a good houseguest usually comes down to a few simple things: show up when you’re expected, be considerate and remember that someone else’s home has its own rules. 

That doesn’t mean you need to tiptoe around your host or worry about every move you make. Most people aren’t expecting guests to sit perfectly still and ask permission before doing anything. Still, there are certain areas of a home that are generally better left alone unless your host invites you to use them.

When you’re unsure, ask. A quick “Is it OK if I grab something from the fridge?” is usually all it takes. And if your host has already told you that you can make yourself at home, you can take that invitation at face value.

Reader’s Digest offers etiquette tips for navigating someone else’s home without accidentally overstepping. Here are five areas you may want to leave alone unless your host gives you the green light.

1. Leave the fridge and cupboards alone unless your host says otherwise

Sweet Life / Unsplash

It can be tempting to open the refrigerator or start searching through the cupboards when you’re visiting someone’s home, especially if you’re staying for a while. After all, you might assume that “make yourself at home” means exactly that. But unless your host has specifically invited you to help yourself, it’s generally more considerate to ask first.

The issue isn’t necessarily the food itself. Your host may have groceries set aside for a particular meal, ingredients........

© Quartz