两者的区别在于invitee ( “被邀请人”）是指经明示或默示邀请而到他人住处者，其前往他人住处之目的与邀请人的商事事务直接或间接相关；该地方的占有人（occupier)必须对被邀请人的安全保护负责[1]。guest ( “客人”）则指付费在旅店等住宿者；或在某人家中受款待者；或免费搭乘汽车者[2]。从法律的角度讲，a guest (“客人”）是一位licensee (被特许人）而非 invitee (被邀请人）。如仅到旅店（inn)就餐者而不住宿者便只能算作“顾客”（customer〉，顾客可以算作invitee，但却非（客人）guest (请参阅条目 social guest)。

[1]“ A person who is present in a place by the express or implied invitation of the occupier in control of the place under circumstances that impose a duty on the occupier to use reasonable care to protect the safety of the invited person. ”Cf. Linda Picard Wood, J. D., Merriam Webster's Dictionary of Law, at p. 262 , Merriam-Webster, Incorporated (1996).

[2]“A person receiving lodging for pay at an inn, motel, or hotel on general undertaking of keeper thereof. A person who is received and entertained at one's home, club, etc., and who is not a regular member. A guest in an automobile is one who takes ride in automobile driven by another person, merely for his own pleasure or on his own business, and without making any return or conferring any benefit on automobile driver. " Cf. The Publisher's Editorial Staff, Black's Law Dictionary, abridged 6th edition, at p. 489, West Publishing Co. (1991),

[3]“In law, a guest is a licensee, not an invitee. ”Cf. Daphne Dukelow, The Dictionary of Canadian Law，at p. 542，Thomson professional Publishing Canada (1991).