Today I thought I'd focus on House Tour Etiquette. Some tour organizers call them 'Guidelines' while others call them 'Rules & Regulations' - either way they really boil down to common sense and common courtesy. Here is a list that I have compiled from my years of going on House Tours:
* no photography or video taping - on rare, and I mean VERY RARE occasions guests are able to take photos within a house, so please check with the docent as you enter the door as to the etiquette for that particular house
* no food or drink
* do not touch anything - which includes not opening doors, drawers or anything else in the house, not sitting or leaning on any piece of furniture and respecting that roped off areas are to remain private
* no smoking
* bring your ticket to every house on the tour so that a docent can ensure you can enter the house
* park on the street, following suggested guidelines, and be respectful of neighbors who may not have their house on the tour but might like to pull in, or out of, their driveway
* in keeping with the above, consider carpooling to make parking easier for everyone
* some tour organizers provide shuttles that take guests from one home to another and allow guests to park in a central parking lot, often near a boutique hosted by the tour organizers
* no children - sometimes tours are okay with babies that are held, or are in front packs, but certainly no strollers or toddlers running around, and mostly no children under 12
* no pets - I am not sure how tour organizers feel about Service Animals so best to check in advance
* some tours ask that you leave your purse, jacket (or any other bulky item) at a coat check to ensure the walls, artwork and furniture are not damaged
* many house tours are not wheelchair accessible, so check in advance
* wear comfortable shoes - ideally no high heels because they can damage the house owners floors. Many tour organizers and/or house owners will ask that guests remove their shoes, walk in bare feet or booties, or put booties on top of their bare feet or shoes. The tour organizers will let you know once you arrive at the tour what is appropriate for that house
* do not use the restrooms in the house unless there is a sign to indicate you have permission, or you ask a docent. Some tours organizers thoughtfully place portable toilets on the tour, and others map out where public restrooms are available.
Personally, the one that I would prefer, and suggest, you honor most of all, is regarding no photography. Think of it like this, would you want strangers photographing your house, your precious or personal items, the layout of your house etc? We want to assume that everyone on the tour is honest, but perhaps there are a few bad eggs who may be up to nefarious activities, don't let them spoil future open houses for the rest of us. You can be thrown off a house tour, so respect the house owners PLEASE!
I hope this is helpful!
Happy Touring,
Catherine
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