This is a half gripe half curiosity post cuz I'd love to hear what other people think on the topic.
My dad's wife drives me insane. There's lots of backstory to this where both parties (being my dad's family and her) have been at fault but I won't get into that. Point is, FI and I were at my dad's house last Dec/ Jan with several other members of family that were staying over for the weekend to celebrate New Years. It was also one of my little brother's birthday so there was all sorts of craziness going on in that house.
Now when you as a guest at someone's house who is preparing, let's say a party, see that the host is finishing up details, you politely offer to help right? Well my dad's wife is REALLY quick to accept your offer and give you a huge project to do. That annoys the sh!t out of me. For New Years and my brother's birthday, she had just about all the women in the house preparing all sorts of crap during a fairly large portion of the day. Personally, I was always taught, you don't put your guests to work. If it's someone you're extremely close to and comfortable with and the task isn't so big, it's okay to ask or accept help. Or if the guest continues to insist on helping out, you give them a small easy job to do but nothing more. They are the guest, it's not their party to set up.
What were you taught is okay as a good host? Letting guests help you set everything up? Refuse any help whatsoever? Accept small help if it's a person you feel close to or is a guest that keeps insisting? I guess this could easily be a poll, but I like reading what you guys have to say about things.
ETA: I also ask this because it seemed that I was the only person who was annoyed by this while at my dad's house. Which makes me wonder is this normal for some people??
