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Believe you’ve witnessed all hotel guest mistakes? Think again.

Recent studies have uncovered some of the most unusual behaviors that travelers confess to when they are away from their usual environment, such as taking food from the breakfast buffet without permission, washing undergarments in kettles, and fitting additional people into hotel rooms.

To mark the launch of its latestHotels.com Rewards in the UK, Hotels.comcollaborated with British etiquette specialist William Hanson to introduce its ‘Grand Etiquette Hotel Guide’, a compilation of 10 useful tips on handling contemporary situationshoteletiquette, including rules for breakfast buffets and the unclear boundaries regarding taking items from hotel rooms.

The online research by the hotel booking platform collected feedback from 2,000 adults in the UK.

The results indicate that one out of every three hotel guests confess to taking food from the breakfast buffet to eat later, while over a third of participants state they often input an incorrect number of guests during booking to reduce expenses.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, tourists do establish boundaries regarding especially undesirable conduct, with just 2% indicating they partake in public displays of affection near the pool or show disrespect to staff.

As per the research, 23% consider washing undergarments in the hotel room kettle to be a major taboo, and individuals who book sunbeds with towels are disliked by many.

The British people surveyed also shared their views on visitors from different countries. They considered the Japanese and Swedish to be the most courteous guests, while Americans and Germans were seen as the least – although this, of course, is subjective.

Regardless of the country a tourist is from, Hanson and Hotels.com have compiled a list of manners to help travelers behave more respectfully. Here’s their advice.

Tips for being a more courteous hotel guest

Treat staff with kindness:The most offensive behavior by hotel guests was found to be being disrespectful to the staff. According to Hanson, proper manners involve showing true respect to all staff members, from the cleaner to the manager. In addition to making the experience more enjoyable for everyone, he notes that staff who feel appreciated are more inclined to provide improved service to those who are courteous.

Be quiet in corridors:While sound in reception areas andhotel barsis to be expected, corridors present a different challenge. There’s nothing more unpleasant than being awakened by doors slamming and people shouting in passageways. Rather, guests should be considerate of others and walk through the corridors silently, speak softly, and avoid making loud noises.

Don’t excessive consume alcohol:Several people like to have a drink or two during their vacation, but Hanson suggests that a pleasant drink should not turn into a “public display.” He advises showing restraint in public areas and keeping a sense of decorum and self-control, while also ensuring that everyone around is enjoying themselves.

Don’t give in to the urge to smoke inside:Smoking inside has been banned in numerous countries for many years, yet individuals still find ways to smoke. Lighting a cigarette indoors can damage ahotelSpace for future visitors, or risk causing serious harm, including evacuations for other guests. Individuals who smoke in hotel rooms may also encounter heavy fines, so it’s advisable not to attempt it.

Don’t damage your hotel room:It’s common for people to try and turn their hotel room into a comfortable, familiar environment. However, it’s advisable to avoid making it excessively messy, as this benefits everyone — especially the housekeeping staff. By maintaining a reasonable level of tidiness, the cleaning team can work more effectively, and you’ll return to a more enjoyable space after a long day of sightseeing (or relaxing by the pool).

Respect the in-room kettle:Recently, an influencer gained widespread attention for advising guests to use a hotel room kettle to wash their undergarments – and then encountered significant criticism. Hanson claims that those who use it for laundry “deserve to be cut off from society,” which might be a bit extreme. Still, kettles are truly meant for making hot beverages only.

Don’t take anything that’s not fixed in place:Although hotel toiletries and slippers are small comforts that many people enjoy taking with them, there are boundaries on what travelers should secretly take from their rooms once they check out. Items such as pillows and robes should remain in the room. Removing them could result in a large charge or, at the very least, a sense of shame for stealing something minor.

Don’t get too excited at breakfast:Hanson states that the breakfast buffet isn’t an open opportunity. It’s an ideal moment to demonstrate the best in waiting line etiquette, ensuring that everyone has a fair chance to access the available food.

Avoid sunbed blocking: ‘Sunbed warsIt is now well known that many travelers rush to secure their sun lounger at sunrise. Hanson argues that using a towel to mark a spot is inappropriate, particularly if the person leaves and doesn’t return until midday, thereby preventing others from using the chair. “A lounger isn’t protected just by fabric, but by someone being there,” he states.