Rules and Regulations for the paying guest

Advice for students

To make sure that your stay will be pleasant, joyful and harmonious, here are some guidelines.

It is not customary for a French family to have a maid. More often than not, it is the Host family that does all the cleaning. The Host family is there to help you not to serve you.

ROOM

  • If you wish to put photos or information on the wall, ask permission from the Family.
  • Your room is to be kept tidy so that it can be cleaned properly once a week.
  • Air out your room once a day.
  • Do not leave the lights on in your bedroom when you leave. Do not leave appliances on either (like the radio). We all have to participate in saving energy.
  • Do not eat or keep any kind of food in your room.
  • The bed linen will be changed once a week.

LIVING ROOM

  • If your Family agrees, you may, if you wish, watch television.
  • If you have a laptop computer, you may ask your Family for an Internet connection if available. You may also use the computers at your disposition at your school.

BATHROOM - CLOTHES WASHING

Bathrooms are possibly different from what you are used to in your country. For instance, the shower has a hand-held "telephone" attachment instead of an overhead shower set in the wall. Bidets are common. If in doubt, ask your Family how to use the different appliances rather than risk misusing or breaking something.

For shared bathrooms:

  • Clean the tub, the shower and the sink after each use. Remove any hair from the drains to prevent clogging.
  • Don't stay too long in the bathroom. Others may have to use it
  • The Host family will provide hand washing soap and toilet paper, but you should buy your own body soap/shower gel, toothpaste, Kleenex or shampoo. Toilet paper should not be used for cosmetic purposes. Please do not use other people's toilet articles.
  • Ask your Host family where to dispose of sanitary napkins
  • Your towels will be changed once a week

Your personal linen:

  • Ask your Family if they accept to wash your clothes once a week. Never use the washing machine on your own.

KITCHEN - BREAKFAST AND DINNER

Meal times are different in France, usually much later than in the US or in Britain. You must conform to them.

  • Breakfast is "à la française" including coffee, tea, chocolate, bread and butter and jam. You may have to prepare it yourself according to your Family's schedule and yours. Ask your Host family where to find the breakfast ingredients. If you would like to have cereal or some other food not included in breakfast "à la française", you must buy it yourself and ask your Family where you can keep it in the kitchen (never in your room) and be tidy about it.
  • If you choose the category Bed and Breakfast, you are supposed to have your meals (lunch and dinner) outside.
  • For those in half-board (dinner in the evening) you are supposed to respect the Family's schedules. You must let your Family know if you are not coming home for dinner or if you are going to be late. Any meal that is not taken will not be replaced another day.
  • Lunch is never provided unless agreed upon beforehand upon booking.
  • If you are in a self-catering category, ask your family where to keep your food (never in your room) and at what time you may use the kitchen in the evening. Leave the kitchen as clean as you found it. Wash all your pots and pans and dishes and put them away.

EVENINGS - LATE ARRIVALS

  • When you go out in the evening and come back late at night, be careful not to make any noise coming in so as not to wake people up or bother the neighbours.
  • If you stay overnight with a friend, let your Family know so they don't worry.
  • It is usually unadvisable to take a shower/bath or use the kitchen when coming home late as this makes noise.

FRIENDS

  • You are not entitled to have friends come to visit except with your Family's permission. They must leave by 11 pm at the latest.
  • You may not invite somebody for a meal either, i.e. you may not cook for anybody except yourself and ONLY IF you are in the self-catering category.

TELEPHONE

Unlike in some countries, local calls are not free. In any case, comply with your Family's rules and regulations concerning the phone.

  • You may receive calls and make phone calls on the main line (with a prepaid phone card you will have previously bought) according to the schedules your Family has set up.
  • You may not use the phone otherwise, nor set up an internet connection without the Host's permission.

France Student HomeStays thanks you for paying close attention to these guidelines.