Ghosts & Spirits

For those of you that do have spirits, how do you handle guest questions when they are not previously aware of the presence?
We have gotten questions in the past at check in asking if we have spirits. I have gotten to the point of just putting a joke about it at check in as we go into their room 'if you hear movement from above be assured it is us and not the resident ghost'. Usually they just laugh but do get a few bug eyes from time to time.
We do not think there are any spirits residing here but that doesn't stop some people from 'looking'.
I just got an email from a recent guest. They asked if we had ever been told that they felt they were being watched in the middle of the night in that certain room. I said no but asked if they would elaborate. The reply was that at a certain time in the night, for 2 of the 4 nights, one was awakened feeling they were being watched. Another woke about the same time, thought they saw someone walk by their bed. The kid asked why grandpa had come in their room and grandma woke (grands were in room next door) with a strange feeling.
Not knowing if they believe or not, I don't want to laugh it off with them but don't want to take it too lightly as they did leave their room door unlocked 90% of the time and the email did state this as a possible possible visitor peeping in.

I ask if they want there to be ghosts. Really? 99% of our guests never mention a thing about the old guy who haunts the place. But, the 1% who do? They either love it and it happens to them everywhere they go or they hate it and refuse to take that room ever again.
I've had guests say 'something' wasn't right and it's always the same room. Odd, the other room with a 'spirit presence' has a very calming spirit but no one really mentions that one.
I ask them to tell me what they experienced and if they are staying longer I ask if they want to move or if they want to tell the spirit to take a hike, which does work. Most want to change rooms.
We don't joke about it any longer because people for whom this is a big deal, it's a really big deal.

In all our years we have had 2 people mention it. One mentioned one specific room, but said that the spirit (male) was calm. The other mentioned a bathroom, but said that the spirit (female) was calm. No one else has ever mentioned it, ever. And this is a very old house.
I still believe the previous owner is haunting the next door neighbour... but that's just my wishful thinking.

I get the question sometimes and my response is truthful. I tell them that a few times we have had guests who say they are 'sensitive' and have told me that there is a "warm, female presence" in a sitting room in one of our suites. No one has ever seen a ghost or apparition.
By the way, these 'sensitive' people have all used the same words (warm, female presence) and it's always the same sitting room.
I've never had anyone want to change rooms.

Breakfast Diva said:

I get the question sometimes and my response is truthful. I tell them that a few times we have had guests who say they are 'sensitive' and have told me that there is a "warm, female presence" in a sitting room in one of our suites. No one has ever seen a ghost or apparition.
By the way, these 'sensitive' people have all used the same words (warm, female presence) and it's always the same sitting room.
I've never had anyone want to change rooms..

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Breakfast Diva said:

I get the question sometimes and my response is truthful. I tell them that a few times we have had guests who say they are 'sensitive' and have told me that there is a "warm, female presence" in a sitting room in one of our suites. No one has ever seen a ghost or apparition.
By the way, these 'sensitive' people have all used the same words (warm, female presence) and it's always the same sitting room.
I've never had anyone want to change rooms.

Click to expand...

Ours is a grumpy, cold fish kind of guy. No one likes him. Even the spirit medium we had here said he was a pill.

Madeleine said:

Breakfast Diva said:

I get the question sometimes and my response is truthful. I tell them that a few times we have had guests who say they are 'sensitive' and have told me that there is a "warm, female presence" in a sitting room in one of our suites. No one has ever seen a ghost or apparition.
By the way, these 'sensitive' people have all used the same words (warm, female presence) and it's always the same sitting room.
I've never had anyone want to change rooms..

Click to expand...

Breakfast Diva said:

I get the question sometimes and my response is truthful. I tell them that a few times we have had guests who say they are 'sensitive' and have told me that there is a "warm, female presence" in a sitting room in one of our suites. No one has ever seen a ghost or apparition.
By the way, these 'sensitive' people have all used the same words (warm, female presence) and it's always the same sitting room.
I've never had anyone want to change rooms.

Click to expand...

Ours is a grumpy, cold fish kind of guy. No one likes him. Even the spirit medium we had here said he was a pill.
.

Click to expand...

Madeleine said:

Breakfast Diva said:

I get the question sometimes and my response is truthful. I tell them that a few times we have had guests who say they are 'sensitive' and have told me that there is a "warm, female presence" in a sitting room in one of our suites. No one has ever seen a ghost or apparition.
By the way, these 'sensitive' people have all used the same words (warm, female presence) and it's always the same sitting room.
I've never had anyone want to change rooms.

Click to expand...

Ours is a grumpy, cold fish kind of guy. No one likes him. Even the spirit medium we had here said he was a pill.

Click to expand...

Well, it would make sense with the type of guests you get frequently, that your spirit would be a PITA!

Breakfast Diva said:

Madeleine said:

Breakfast Diva said:

I get the question sometimes and my response is truthful. I tell them that a few times we have had guests who say they are 'sensitive' and have told me that there is a "warm, female presence" in a sitting room in one of our suites. No one has ever seen a ghost or apparition.
By the way, these 'sensitive' people have all used the same words (warm, female presence) and it's always the same sitting room.
I've never had anyone want to change rooms..

Click to expand...

Breakfast Diva said:

I get the question sometimes and my response is truthful. I tell them that a few times we have had guests who say they are 'sensitive' and have told me that there is a "warm, female presence" in a sitting room in one of our suites. No one has ever seen a ghost or apparition.
By the way, these 'sensitive' people have all used the same words (warm, female presence) and it's always the same sitting room.
I've never had anyone want to change rooms.

Click to expand...

Ours is a grumpy, cold fish kind of guy. No one likes him. Even the spirit medium we had here said he was a pill.
.

Click to expand...

Madeleine said:

Breakfast Diva said:

I get the question sometimes and my response is truthful. I tell them that a few times we have had guests who say they are 'sensitive' and have told me that there is a "warm, female presence" in a sitting room in one of our suites. No one has ever seen a ghost or apparition.
By the way, these 'sensitive' people have all used the same words (warm, female presence) and it's always the same sitting room.
I've never had anyone want to change rooms.

Click to expand...

Ours is a grumpy, cold fish kind of guy. No one likes him. Even the spirit medium we had here said he was a pill.

Click to expand...

Well, it would make sense with the type of guests you get frequently, that your spirit would be a PITA!
.

Click to expand...

Ah! He's working WITH me, not AGAINST me. Perfect! Hadn't thought about it that way.

Madeleine said:

Breakfast Diva said:

Madeleine said:

Breakfast Diva said:

I get the question sometimes and my response is truthful. I tell them that a few times we have had guests who say they are 'sensitive' and have told me that there is a "warm, female presence" in a sitting room in one of our suites. No one has ever seen a ghost or apparition.
By the way, these 'sensitive' people have all used the same words (warm, female presence) and it's always the same sitting room.
I've never had anyone want to change rooms..

Click to expand...

Breakfast Diva said:

I get the question sometimes and my response is truthful. I tell them that a few times we have had guests who say they are 'sensitive' and have told me that there is a "warm, female presence" in a sitting room in one of our suites. No one has ever seen a ghost or apparition.
By the way, these 'sensitive' people have all used the same words (warm, female presence) and it's always the same sitting room.
I've never had anyone want to change rooms.

Click to expand...

Ours is a grumpy, cold fish kind of guy. No one likes him. Even the spirit medium we had here said he was a pill.
.

Click to expand...

Madeleine said:

Breakfast Diva said:

I get the question sometimes and my response is truthful. I tell them that a few times we have had guests who say they are 'sensitive' and have told me that there is a "warm, female presence" in a sitting room in one of our suites. No one has ever seen a ghost or apparition.
By the way, these 'sensitive' people have all used the same words (warm, female presence) and it's always the same sitting room.
I've never had anyone want to change rooms.

Click to expand...

Ours is a grumpy, cold fish kind of guy. No one likes him. Even the spirit medium we had here said he was a pill.

Click to expand...

Well, it would make sense with the type of guests you get frequently, that your spirit would be a PITA!
.

Click to expand...

Ah! He's working WITH me, not AGAINST me. Perfect! Hadn't thought about it that way.
.

Click to expand...

You can always pay someone who can "banish" him and clear up the problem. Or have someone talk to him in tongues or Acadian French, whichever is harder to understand.

I answer as Maddy does - if they ask if I have ghosts or spirits, my reply is always in a half joking manner "Do you want there to be?". I try to end it there, based on their response. If they push it, I say "Some guests have felt a presence, but nothing bad or evil." If they really push it, and ask if I ever experience anything, I reply that I always feel at ease here with the positive energy in the home. And that's the absolute truth - I love the two female spirits I have here - I honestly believe they look out for me.

We typically attribute it to those that have shared their feelings with us, but all the feedback we have received in that regard is that the spirit is nurturing or protective. Mostly, folks comment on the feeling that comes over them upon arrival. For some, it is strong.
One line that we use for that is that, "We often feel more like caretakers than owners. So many folks have been kind enough to leave a bit of their spirit behind when they leave, it makes our job that much easier."

Our place is so new (2009) that no one would suspect a spirit, but when I am finished walking people through the operation of our air-jetted tub, I note that 5-minutes after they are done the jets will turn on to self clean and not to worry -- the tub is not "possessed".

When people ask if we have ghosts, we just say "You tell me in the morning". We have two spirits - a female upstairs and a male downstairs. We've named them Helen & Silvestor (the name of the builder who built this place in the 1880's). They are harmless and content (from what we've been told). Never seen them, but have heard them. He's got heavy boots and likes to walk the stairs & hall way. We had ghost hunters stay with us a few months after we took over. When they travel, they always stay in places that have activity & bring in tons of luggage with sensoring equipment. It was pretty neat.
We hired a good friend to help us this season. Apparently, Helen has taken a liking to him. When he's vacuuming, she will brush her hand across the side of his neck as if pulling his hair back (he has a buzz cut). At first he thought it was us messing with him. She's only been known to be in one specific room, but apparently she's taken such a liking to him that she's followed him downstairs and has made "appearances" in quite a few different rooms. He just tells her to cut it out and she does. I'm glad they are friendly!!!

Kay Nein said:

When people ask if we have ghosts, we just say "You tell me in the morning". We have two spirits - a female upstairs and a male downstairs. We've named them Helen & Silvestor (the name of the builder who built this place in the 1880's). They are harmless and content (from what we've been told). Never seen them, but have heard them. He's got heavy boots and likes to walk the stairs & hall way. We had ghost hunters stay with us a few months after we took over. When they travel, they always stay in places that have activity & bring in tons of luggage with sensoring equipment. It was pretty neat.
We hired a good friend to help us this season. Apparently, Helen has taken a liking to him. When he's vacuuming, she will brush her hand across the side of his neck as if pulling his hair back (he has a buzz cut). At first he thought it was us messing with him. She's only been known to be in one specific room, but apparently she's taken such a liking to him that she's followed him downstairs and has made "appearances" in quite a few different rooms. He just tells her to cut it out and she does. I'm glad they are friendly!!!.

Click to expand...

Kay Nein said:

When people ask if we have ghosts, we just say "You tell me in the morning". We have two spirits - a female upstairs and a male downstairs. We've named them Helen & Silvestor (the name of the builder who built this place in the 1880's). They are harmless and content (from what we've been told). Never seen them, but have heard them. He's got heavy boots and likes to walk the stairs & hall way. We had ghost hunters stay with us a few months after we took over. When they travel, they always stay in places that have activity & bring in tons of luggage with sensoring equipment. It was pretty neat.
We hired a good friend to help us this season. Apparently, Helen has taken a liking to him. When he's vacuuming, she will brush her hand across the side of his neck as if pulling his hair back (he has a buzz cut). At first he thought it was us messing with him. She's only been known to be in one specific room, but apparently she's taken such a liking to him that she's followed him downstairs and has made "appearances" in quite a few different rooms. He just tells her to cut it out and she does. I'm glad they are friendly!!!

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I love this story!!! I wonder if he is the reincarnation of Helen's love.

The po's husband died in the house. When we first moved in, the doorbell would ring often with no one there. One time, we saw a man in the driveway and called to him, but he disappeared.
After awhile we started addressing the bell with the deceased husband's name. "Cut it out, Sven!" Or, "Don't worry, Sven, we're taking good care of your house."
We never had the bell looked at (wondering if there was a wiring issue.) The phantom rings stopped.
We wondered if Sven was satisfied with our care for his beloved house. Hope so.

Kay Nein said:

When people ask if we have ghosts, we just say "You tell me in the morning". We have two spirits - a female upstairs and a male downstairs. We've named them Helen & Silvestor (the name of the builder who built this place in the 1880's). They are harmless and content (from what we've been told). Never seen them, but have heard them. He's got heavy boots and likes to walk the stairs & hall way. We had ghost hunters stay with us a few months after we took over. When they travel, they always stay in places that have activity & bring in tons of luggage with sensoring equipment. It was pretty neat.
We hired a good friend to help us this season. Apparently, Helen has taken a liking to him. When he's vacuuming, she will brush her hand across the side of his neck as if pulling his hair back (he has a buzz cut). At first he thought it was us messing with him. She's only been known to be in one specific room, but apparently she's taken such a liking to him that she's followed him downstairs and has made "appearances" in quite a few different rooms. He just tells her to cut it out and she does. I'm glad they are friendly!!!.

Click to expand...

Kay Nein said:

When people ask if we have ghosts, we just say "

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We did but we called ghostbusters.

Kay Nein said:

When people ask if we have ghosts, we just say "You tell me in the morning". We have two spirits - a female upstairs and a male downstairs. We've named them Helen & Silvestor (the name of the builder who built this place in the 1880's). They are harmless and content (from what we've been told). Never seen them, but have heard them. He's got heavy boots and likes to walk the stairs & hall way. We had ghost hunters stay with us a few months after we took over. When they travel, they always stay in places that have activity & bring in tons of luggage with sensoring equipment. It was pretty neat.
We hired a good friend to help us this season. Apparently, Helen has taken a liking to him. When he's vacuuming, she will brush her hand across the side of his neck as if pulling his hair back (he has a buzz cut). At first he thought it was us messing with him. She's only been known to be in one specific room, but apparently she's taken such a liking to him that she's followed him downstairs and has made "appearances" in quite a few different rooms. He just tells her to cut it out and she does. I'm glad they are friendly!!!.

Click to expand...

Kay Nein said:

We hired a good friend to help us this season. Apparently, Helen has taken a liking to him. When he's vacuuming, she will brush her hand across the side of his neck as if pulling his hair back (he has a buzz cut). At first he thought it was us messing with him. She's only been known to be in one specific room, but apparently she's taken such a liking to him that she's followed him downstairs and has made "appearances" in quite a few different rooms. He just tells her to cut it out and she does. I'm glad they are friendly!!!

Click to expand...

This is so cool! I have a big grin on my face