People who visit without calling first

**mikandmari** · 11-08-2007, 08:53 AM

My biggest pet peeve: People who come to visit without calling first!

My in-laws do this. The other day they were driving to a store near me, and brought old family photos to drop off to my dh. Thankfully, my house was clean, but it was messy. I could have straighten up in about 15 minutes.

I heard a knock, and was so aggravated when I looked out the window and saw their car that I didn't answer the door. (They did the same thing a couple of months ago, and I asked them to call first. So they called first ONE TIME.)

What do they do? They stand on my front porch and call from their cell phone. Now, if they can do that, why can't they call ahead? So I answered the phone and let them in. I didn't even have a bra on! So I stood their with my arms folded, of course, and didn't even ask them to sit down, have coffee, anything. They acted like I was being rude. Was I?

**mom2bobsarah** · 11-08-2007, 09:03 AM

I could not agree more! My house is usually a mess (I am just not the best housekeeper and with the kids there are always toys around) and every once in awhile a relative that we do not speak with often will pop by. Fortunately, I was not home last time, my aunt told me about them stopping by. But I feel so embarassed when that happens. People should have the common courtesy of calling.

**Sundae** · 11-08-2007, 09:11 AM

I too do not like unexpected guest. We have a mud room, we live on a farm, and I try and keep it picked up, like I said try, so that is usally the furthest someone wil get, DH friends, people dealing in farm products and what not. What I dislike the most is when someone drives in and sits in the car, truck and waits for you to come to them, I don't do that any more either.

**nuisance26** · 11-08-2007, 09:23 AM

~My FIL loves to pick the one morning a month that I'm still in my jammies and drop by unexpectedly. URG! I just let him knock while I get dressed quickly. It bugs me too. It's almost impossible to be courteous and welcoming to guests who've ignored your very reasonable wishes.~

**annymoll** · 11-08-2007, 09:44 AM

Most unexpected guests here are my neighbors. It does not bother me. They are helpful to us, and elderly. I have time, so I am willing to share it. If I had less time, that may not be the case.I like sharing a pot of coffee and a muffin.Even sitting around with a mess.And specially since they bring the muffins!!LOL. I stop by unannounced at times as well.

**baxjul** · 11-08-2007, 09:44 AM

I love company anytime, so it doesn't bother me. My house is always picked up and clean. If I'm in my pj's or something, I figure it's my house, if they don't like it they can leave. Most people know me well enough to know that I love jammies and live in them half the time.

**Dancing Lotus** · 11-08-2007, 10:04 AM

I am so glade that I am not the only one. My dad loves to stop by and it drives me batty. I have asked and asked that he call first but its a no go. The other thing that drives me insain is that he just makes himself at home and wonders around. I keep the beer in the garage fridge and he knows it so he will just walk out there and get one. I hate people in my garage!!!!! I have been known not to answer the door. Also if you call me before 9am I dont answer the phone.

**Darlene** · 11-08-2007, 10:08 AM

Depends on who it is. I had one friend who did this all the time but I didn't mind because her house was always messier than mine on it's worst day.

**frugalfarmwife** · 11-08-2007, 10:09 AM

URGH!!! Must be a MIL thing! Mine was looking to get herself SHOT last week!

Granted, she did call, when she was 3 minutes out! They live an hour away.

She called to tell me "we're almost at your house" Umm, we? OH GRAND she drug along 2 of the nieces to see the "family petting zoo" as she seems to think we are, urghh! Yep, she's good at this, and then she had the NERVE TO TELL THE ONE NIECE " OH IN A FEW YEARS YOU CAN COME AND WORK FOR AUNT KRIS ON HER FARM"

I promptly told her "DO NOT DO THAT!!!"

The kids are NOT farm oriented, NOT animal oriented and NOT my cup of tea! This woman KNOWS THIS, she KNOWS BETTER!

sigh,
maybe we need locked gates?

KJ

**LexTysMommy** · 11-08-2007, 10:12 AM

I was known for not answering the door when my inlaws just felt the need to stop by during the day without calling. I would have a house full of daycare kids, or it would be 8 in the morning. They knew I was there I just would not answer the door. Then I would tell them when I did see them, that I am very busy during the day and it is important to call first whenever they want to come. She would get mad and say why do I have to call to see my grandbabies. I answered it is my house and those are the rules. Needless to say they arent my inlaws anymore! YAY!

But I never would never think to go anywhere without calling first! How rude!

**geckoace** · 11-08-2007, 11:07 AM

my MIL used to do this, we rented a house she owned and she would just appear out of no where one day i went out to check the mail and she was planting flowers LOL.
We had a bit of a falling out over it eventually.
Now that we live in a new house she doesn't come by without calling, and i almost always answer the door in my pjs everyone knows this even the UPS guy LOL
my house is my house and although its usually in pretty good shape my philosophy is that if you are "family-enough" to drop in then you are "family-enough" to ignore the mess!

**Jaded** · 11-08-2007, 11:21 AM

Being a slob, I hate unexpected guests, but if they come, they have to take me and the house the way we are. I don't care anymore. I just am who I am.

When I lived in the country, you might walk in and find boxes of late baby chicks in boxes in the living room with lights on them to keep them warm because winter had set in early. You also might find baskets of fruits or veggies sitting around waiting to be canned. Once, I was watching someone's worm bucket for them while they were away for 3 weeks, and that was in my kitchen...it was a HUGE plastic garbage can full of worms! LOL! Then there was that sick baby goat penned in the spare room...that was fun.

I used to worry about it, but I don't now. If someone is coming to see me, they're coming to see me not my house. If they judge me by my house, then they are welcome not to come back.

**monkeywrangler71** · 11-08-2007, 11:28 AM

I love unexpected guests.
I'm happy to have company, and feel blessed that there are people who love me enough to want to spend time with me. Even better when they are not expected, just like a surprise gift.

Who cares if the house is clean? No one I know anyway.

**StartingOver** · 11-08-2007, 11:47 AM

Originally Posted by monkeywrangler71

I love unexpected guests.
I'm happy to have company, and feel blessed that there are people who love me enough to want to spend time with me. Even better when they are not expected, just like a surprise gift.

Who cares if the house is clean? No one I know anyway.

You took the words right out of my mouth monkeywrangler! I also love to have company regardless if my house is clean. I love my family and friends and feel honored that they thought enough of me to stop by and visit with me and inquire about the kids. Heck....sometimes if I'm in the middle of something they will roll up their sleeves and lend a helping hand. I'm certainly not going to complain

**frugalfriend** · 11-08-2007, 11:57 AM

This is my biggest pet peeve ever!!!! I love to have family and friends stop by, I just want a call first to give me the heads up. I like to have the house picked up, be dressed and presentable, LOL! If not, I just feel uncomfortable and don't enjoy the visit nearly as much.