The Real Simple Reader Etiquette Poll

What Should You Do With the Sheets and Towels at the End of a Visit?

Readers say:

Ask your hostess what her preference is: 68.6%

Strip the bed and leave your towels and sheets in a neat pile: 26.2%

Leave everything as is: 5.2%


 Experts say: The pros agree that asking your hostess’s preference probably makes the most sense. But stripping the bed and leaving your dirty sheets and towels next to it or in the laundry area isn’t going to offend anyone. And Christmann backs up the 5 percent who opt to do nothing. “Why were you invited in the first place?” he says. “To clean the room or to spend as much time together as possible?”