Woman Discovered House Guest Secretly Used Her Perfume for Almost a Week — Sparks Internet Debate on Visitor Etiquette 

A woman was left uncertain about how to react after realizing that a recent house guest had been using her perfume collection during their stay — without asking for permission.

She shared her experience on the U.K. community forum Mumsnet, where users often exchange advice and opinions on everyday dilemmas. In a post titled “Am I being unreasonable to think this is a bit rude?”, she explained that she and her husband had hosted a family of four — one of her husband’s old work friends, his wife, and their two children — for a four-day visit.

“They’re absolutely lovely people,” the woman wrote, adding that she’d met the couple several times before and always got along well with them.

The woman described herself as a “perfume person,” explaining that she owns about 15 bottles displayed in a glass cabinet located in the guest bedroom. “Some of them are very expensive and have been Christmas or birthday presents,” she said.

During the visit, she noticed that the friend’s wife “smelled lovely” every day. As they were saying goodbye, the guest revealed that the scent was from one of the host’s own bottles — and that she had been sampling different perfumes throughout the week.

“I was a bit taken aback but laughed,” the woman admitted, noting that she wasn’t quite sure how to feel. “On one hand, I almost don’t mind — it’s hardly the end of the world. But on the other, I’d never dream of doing that, especially without asking.”

Her post sparked a lively debate among forum users. Some agreed that the guest’s actions crossed a boundary of basic courtesy.

“I wouldn’t dream of using someone else’s perfume without asking, even if it was sitting out in the room I’m staying in,” one commenter wrote. “It’s like going through someone’s wardrobe and picking out clothes to wear.”

Another added, “Perfume is personal. Just because it was on display doesn’t mean she could use it. I’d say that was a bit cheeky.”

Others, however, saw the situation differently, arguing that the perfumes were fair game since they were prominently placed in the guest room.

“If you don’t want guests to use something, don’t leave it on display in their room,” one person said. “It’s not like she took any bottles home.”

Another commenter echoed that view: “I wouldn’t have used them without asking, but I can understand why she thought she could — they were openly on display in the guest room.”