HOW do you get RID OF drop-in callers?

**Early Bird** · 12-24-2005, 12:44 PM

Yesterday, kids and I were having late lunch, when the doorbell rang. A family we know from church, with a gift. I said<"Thank you," and sent DD#2 to get THEIR gift. Then they stayed chatting in the front hall.

I deliberately DIDN'T invite them in to sit. I had too much to do!

I mentioned my busy plans for the day.
I mentioned how much extra Christmas work tlhere is.

Then the father said, "Let's sit down and get comfortable!" In MY house.

Gggggrrrrr.

They trooped in and sat down. And that man had the nerve to sit in my chair!

I didn't offer drinks or food, hoping they would get the hint. Eventually DD#2 came out from playing and offered them a soda.

They accepted.

They stayed.

DH called to say he was getting off early, and could we get ready for a movie.

They hinted at COMING WITH US!

When DH arrived home, they finally left.

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HOW do you get rid of people like that?

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Note: They are very young -- about 30, I'd guess.

**Dixie** · 12-24-2005, 12:54 PM

It sounds like you did everything you could. I would be very irritated! I don't believe the nerve of some people!

**pammy** · 12-24-2005, 01:04 PM

Sometimes I'm rude to that type, I tell them I'm on my way out. If that don't give them the hint, I grab my keys, purse and put on my coat. If they still don't take the hint I tell them to come with me through the garage so I can lock the front door. If me getting into my car still don't give them the hint,

I start it and put it into gear. I've not found one person to not get that hint after that, lol.

It's very frustrating, people like that. I've even gotten to where I take a peep before I answer the door. If I don't recognize I don't open. If it's someone I'd rather avoid, I'm quiet as a mouse!

I mean, my car is in the garage, unseen. They don't know I'm there. Yes, mean, but for those types of people it's the only way I keep from becoming a down-right meanie.

**midwestgal** · 12-24-2005, 01:09 PM

That's a tough one! It's really hard to think on your feet in situations like that. In the future, perhaps you could be prepared to say something like this after the man wanted to sit and be comfortable. "Thanks so much for bringing the gift, but I'm afraid that we have a very busy day and don't have time to sit and chat right now. Perhaps we could arrange another day after the holidays when all of us aren't quite so busy." Then open the front door as a very broad hint! We shouldn't feel bad about this. People like this usually aren't as offended as we think. They need to be hit over the head a little harder to take a hint!

**halo475** · 12-24-2005, 04:57 PM

When the man said "Let's sit down and get comfortable!"

I would have said-"Well, normally I would love to have you come on in, but We have plans for the afternoon/evening, so we will have to make it another time. Next time, before dropping by, maybe you could call and then we could set up a time that is convenient for all of us, but now we really must get ready..."

Not nasty, but to the point-sometimes you have to be blunt...after all it is your home

**PrairieRose** · 12-24-2005, 05:19 PM

I sometimes will say "come on in the kitchen and talk to me while I mash the potatoes" and the turn the mixer on (which you can't talk over!) and go on with my busy day.....they usually get the hint. Most of the time we don't have that many drop in uninviteds, and when we do they are usually more like family and we just go about our rat killing as normal while we chat away. You've gotten some great advice from the other ladies already...hope you can use some of it next time...... .