Is it rude for an unexpected guest to ask for clean towels?

Rude? Yes.

Next time they do this (and hope there is no more next times), you simply break down and cry.

Have a polite day.

Etiquette takes over where laws end.

First of all, if I were those stranded people and in the morning the circumstances were of an emergency situation, like with your grandfather, I would have left so the family could regroup. I would NOT have chosen to stick around for a shower, especially since the roads were clear to pass through.

I will also add, that it's lucky for your grandfather that the roads were clear for an ambulance to come to his aide, because prior to that, the roads were blocked.

In any event, they did ask for towels in, like you say, a "tone of voice", which irked you. No wonder, your grandfather was hauled away in an ambulance moments beforehand, so of course you were agitated. When I have overnight guests, I give them the run down on where to find things they will need. Like, extra blankets, towels and toiletries. This way they never have to ask.

It is rather an expectation that one provides clean towels for guests, that they not have to make the request. I usually either get them out in plain view or direct the guests where additional towels may be found. It's part of being a good host, whether planned or in an emergency situation. If you have a lot of guests, I would have assumed you'd be aware of this already.

They may not have known that the towels in their bathroom were fresh towels and you just needed to tell them so. If they wanted more towels then those, I'd have asked why--DID THEY GET BLOOD ON THOSE TOWEL FROM HURTING YOUR GRANDFATHER??? (Well, maybe not, I would have asked them why since the towels in the bathroom should have been enough for a simple overnight stay unless they wiped their shoes on them or something. If their explanation was reasonable enough, I would have given them another set of fresh towel; if it was insane and mental, no new towels--I have to wash the darn things afterward.)

It's completely reasonable for them to ask for clean towels, you shouldn't expect them to use "dirty" (they probably thought the towels were used) towels, even if they are unexpected guests. However, the tone of voice is important in this situation because t should be a request, not a demand. Also, it does seem a pretty inconsiderate to ask you for towels after you found you grandfather unconscious,

Interesting. For me it all spins on the emphasis. Did they emphasize the word clean, implying that your towels were not? And were your towels fresh and clean? I visited my sister's house once and she had some towels rolled up on a shelf. I had to use one and it was... nasty. It had been laundered and never used, but clearly it had been part of the decor and was no longer fresh -- not by a long shot.

Bottom line, when things happen in a crisis, don't take them to heart. They may have been stresed and not on their best behavior.

Best of luck.

Rude, yes to say the least. Grandfather? Pool of blood? Clean towels? Who are these people and what are they thinking?

if towels hang for a long time in a badly ventilated bathroom they might start smelling not well. so maybe this was the reason they asked for fresh towels. I do not understand why re u offended.

I wouldn't say rude, but they could have asked if they were clean. However as a host you are to see to any reasonable needs. You could have apologized for any mess and tell them there was a medical emergency and you are still in clean up mode.

Yes. "The towels in your bathroom are clean" in a very curt tone of voice.