| Author | Content |
judycooksey
Pocahontas, TN
(Zone 7b)
November 29, 2006
7:28 PM Post #2954365
| What do you do when people just drop in but you have a load of things to do. They were just in the neighborhood and decided at the last minute to stop to see you.
Judy |
bigred
Ashdown, AR
(Zone 8a)
December 25, 2006
7:54 AM Post #3024056
| Well,if it's folks I haven't seen in a while,I make some gourmet coffee,break out a plate of cookies and sit down to enjoy a visit.
If it's someone that drops in a lot...I say come help me in the greenhouse..pull weeds..clean out the pond...whatever I'm doing at the moment...if they help...Great!...if they say they have to run...problem solved.
P |
Jenyfari
Canberra
(Australia)
January 19, 2007
5:09 PM Post #3101082
| I always think it's lovely that people take time out to come and visit. It's espcially nice if I haven't seen them in a while.
Depending on the time of day, I offer coffee and cake, cookies, or if it's at a meal time I will generally whip something up even if it's only cheese on toast.
If they are persistent callers I will just chat for a little while and say I have a previous engagement, so please excuse me I must get on.
There are very few things that can't be put off until another time, when friends come to call. We spend too much time these days on task orientated past times and we're forgetting the art of relaxing and enjoying good conversation. |
mgh
Willamette Valley, OR
(Zone 8a)
January 19, 2007
5:12 PM Post #3101088
| To be honest with you, I usually panic, because my house is usually in no shape to be seen by anyone but immediate family! LOL Maybe I should visit the clean and clutter free forum? LOL |
Badseed
Lynchburg, OH
(Zone 6a)
January 19, 2007
5:27 PM Post #3101154
| THANK YOU mgh for saying that! I was reading the nice answers above, thinking oh, I am so rude! LOL
I love company. I really do! I love to cook and entertain and have people over BUT, I have six kids, live on the go, run a taxi for the kids (who play sports and apparently have lives!), have laundry for eight, my own little business at home and most of the stuff around the house is my job because hubby works seven days a week. And to tell the truth, if the sun is shining, we are outside. That makes it hard to do anything inside. ;)
I am not very nice when people pop in and I am wearing a dirty/old/stained shirt, my curly hair is in knots and standing on end, there are dishes in the sink, the little ones are in pj's and oh my gosh the baby needs a diaper! I know it's wrong not to be nice. I really am happy to see people! I'm just not happy for them to see my mess.
They someone always says "I didn't come to see your house. I came to see you!" or "You have kids. Your house is not supposed to be immaculate.". Okay then, WHY does their house ALWAYS look nice and clean? Why have I never seen them with messy hair? Why are their clothes always clean?? LOL
It's become both a joke and sore spot with people that know me. They know to call ahead. I still get blindsided from time to time and even hear the little comment about "Nothing bad happened because they dropped in (or vice versa).". LOL I rarely drop in on people because I don't like it. If I am in the area, I will call to see what they are up to but we are not often out anywhere without a mission. |
vossner
Richmond, TX
(Zone 9a)
January 19, 2007
5:29 PM Post #3101163
| I DO NOT LIKE DROP INS AT ALL!!!
Firstly, like mendy says, my house might not be in shape to be seen. Secondly, I think it is pretentious on that person(s)' part to think I can stop whatever I'm doing to talk/entertain them. What is so hard about making a 30 second phone call and giving notice? I will likely say YES and greatly appreciate the thoughtfulness in asking me first. Finally, I don't have the discipline to keep "goodies" in my pantry for such occasions. I will be bad and eat the Milanos way before somebody comes by.
I love to entertain, but I want to decide when, what, how, etc. Drop ins don't allow for that. I would never dream of being a drop in either. The only exception is neighbors. we cross one another's yards back and forth and have seen one another in our jammies. And even then, if it turns out the the business at hand will take more than 5-10 minutes, we make advance calls. |
vossner
Richmond, TX
(Zone 9a)
January 19, 2007
5:36 PM Post #3101188
| I wanted to add this is definitely a pet peeve of mine. Chele, I see it bothers you too.
There was a woman ( we shall call her Lady A) whose SIL would drop in any time she felt like it. When the lady asked her for an advance notice, the SIL was terribly hurt and offended that her caring was not appreciated. She wasn't visiting the Queen of England, so why did she have to call for an audience? She ignored Lady A's requests and continued to drop in and offered the excuse of forgetting to call.
Lady A, OTOT, was terribly insulted that her SIL ignored her request for advance calling and in retaliation, never again invited that SIL over. Who was right? Who was wrong? This is one of those touchy subjects, I'm afraid. |
jeri11
Central, LA
(Zone 8b)
February 4, 2007
1:41 PM Post #3156775
| I guess I'm different. I've had businesses at my house forever and customers are always around. I've even entertained the governor while in PJ's. We were moving a mobile home for his maid. I always make time I can do whatever later. Friends are important to me. I enjoy the diversion. |
mgh
Willamette Valley, OR
(Zone 8a)
February 4, 2007
4:30 PM Post #3157301
| Well, I enjoy my friends too, but I really enjoy it when they call before coming over. LOL I also love to have company and entertain people, but we have a tiny little house (750 sqft.) so there isn't much room to have very many over. When the kids have their toys out, the whole living room is taken over because it's small. |
Badseed
Lynchburg, OH
(Zone 6a)
February 4, 2007
6:17 PM Post #3157652
| I just can't enjoy myself when I have unexpected company and I see garbage on the floor or dirt on something, or was in the middle of a remodel and have stuff piled. |
kellgei
Duxbury, MA
August 16, 2007
11:03 PM Post #3866181
| i guess i am too much of a perfectionist. I really prefer that people call first. I've had people drop over and ill whip some snacks together and chit chat etc. but the whole time feeling totally uncomfortable that my house is a mess and so am i. I am usually lounging around my home in stretcy clothes that i wouldnt dream to wear in public lol. I just think the polite thing to do is to call unless you are family. If it is someone who is family or close enough to consider family - then i dont care how they see me and it is okay by me. I love having people over, but prefer to be able to feel that i can adequatly accept them in my home so that i can concentreate on them.
|
beachheathen
Waldport, OR
November 6, 2007
5:41 PM Post #4165012
| I love company - planned for and/or invited company that is. I think it's unbelievably rude as a visitor (unless you've been begged to please drop in anytime) to presume your visit is more important than whatever else the unwitting host might be doing. So many work at home these days, others have such few moments alone with their families for quality time. Therefore to completely disgregard basic manners like this is thoughtless and unkind toward the hosts the uninvited visitor supposedly cares so much for. Often when people do drop in they always say in response to the discomfort the host suffers regarding the poor timing, work, an ill child, etc, "Well I don't mind...". Has it ever occured to the drop in clods that perhaps their captive host DOES mind the intrusion under unidyllic circumstances? All of this could be averted and the guests would truly be made welcome if the guests either ask if a visit is convenient prior to calling or wait to be invited. |
Bettypauze
Victoria Harbour, ON
(Zone 5b)
November 15, 2007
4:21 PM Post #4196715
| Welcome them with open arms...and, thank the Lord that I've been granted such friendships that feel comfortable in visiting me at a moments notice... |
ByndeweedBeth
scio, oregon, OR
(Zone 8a)
November 15, 2007
4:23 PM Post #4196723
| I used to hide in the barn... |
bigred
Ashdown, AR
(Zone 8a)
November 23, 2007
2:56 PM Post #4222687
| My thoughts on this have changed dramatically from last Nov.to this Nov. and I'm just about ready to wear a pistol on my hip and answer the door with the biggest gun my hub's has in his gunsafe...LOL...kind of.
P |
cathy4
St. Louis County, MO
(Zone 5a)
November 23, 2007
3:09 PM Post #4222708
| I'm on the side of the phone call first, please let me at least put on a bra (haha), brush my teeth and hair and check the bathroom, because I KNOW you will want to use it before you leave. 10 minutes warning is all I ask, but I also can say it just doesn't suit to have visitors at this time, and sometimes it doesn't.
If they keep coming, put a couple of chairs out on the front porch or lawn, tell the drop-ins to have a seat, you will join them in a few minutes. |
MaryMD7
Chesapeake Beach, MD
January 3, 2008
2:50 PM Post #4356647
| I love drop in company. I grew up in a small town where this was a common practice. If I'm in the middle of something, I keep doing it, after offering the company something to eat or drink. It's nice sometimes to have someone to chat with while you make jam or weed the garden or whatever. Drop bys in my experience don't actually expect you to stop what you're doing to entertain them. |
BuriedTreasures
Valrico, FL
(Zone 9a)
September 17, 2008
7:52 PM Post #5565292
| Walk around the house naked. People will only drop by once (some twice), before they learn that an advance call is probably a good idea.
Chris |
Badseed
Lynchburg, OH
(Zone 6a)
September 17, 2008
8:08 PM Post #5565372
| Oh Chris! LOL
I've always heard you should make the guest room uninviting... |
BuriedTreasures
Valrico, FL
(Zone 9a)
September 17, 2008
8:36 PM Post #5565504
| Guest rooms should be furnished with Futons and pullout couches. That will pretty much ensure a 3 night maximum stay. :-)
Chris |
bigred
Ashdown, AR
(Zone 8a)
September 27, 2008
1:37 PM Post #5606162
| What's that old saying about guest and fish...after 3 days they both stink...LOL
I must clarify my last post about wearing a gun on my hip. I work from home so it's like people just showing up on my job sight uninvited. I do like to throw parties/get-togethers...BBQ's,Halloween parties for the neighborhood,garden swap and the like so it's not like I'm anti-social. I'm doing a house warming party for new neighbors and a garden swap next month.
I really do need to learn just because I work from home doesn't mean I need to work 7 days a week. I need to become a 9 to fiver during the weekdays and leave my weekends for socializing. |
Ginger_H
Fountain, FL
(Zone 8a)
November 29, 2008
5:24 PM Post #5841759
| I want a call first so I can get our 5 big dogs inside at least until the visitor is in/on the screened porch, which is our entrance. No call and a) 5 dogs get loose because it's hard to get passed them in "greet" mode b) 5 dogs go through the screen or c)the visitor gets loved to death by 5 big dogs! whether they're ready for the happy kisses and sniffs or not. They do soooo love fresh meat. LOL Phooey when I go to the store I call when I'm almost home so they can be put inside...they all act like I've been gone for a month of Sundays even if it's only been 20 minutes! |
