vent: do your relatives stop by unannounced?

[lynetteSC]

Warning...vent here...do your relatives stop by unannounced? Just a minute ago I was on the phone with dr's office (I have been sick since Saturday so house is WRECK with capital W) trying to talk to nurse and the doorbell rang. The dogs (2 jack russells) went crazy...barking as if murderer was outside...it was a relative! Of course, it was the relative who house is never messy and is always museum quality! DH has started unpacking some Christmas boxes so between house being messy since I am sick and CHristmas stuff scattered....hmmm, it is just really scary alot!!!! I love her dearly but I can just hear her now," No wonder she is sick, did you see her house?"...LOL!
Ok...sorry guys...thanks for listening!

 

[lulugirl]

We just don't answer the door!!!

 

[holycow]

You should have hid! LOL
Holycow

 

[Micca]

I agree with lulugirl...you don't have to be in.

 

[EROS]

 

[SeaSpray]

My own relatives all live out of state, but once in a while my FIL and MIL have stopped in unannounced. A couple of those times they rang the bell at a VERY inappropriate time! (DSs were sleeping over friend's houses those nights, we had the house to ourselves ) We didn't answer the door. And sometimes we can't hear the doorbell when we're in the familyroom. They have gotten a tad upset when they see our cars here, but we don't answer the door.

This has taught them to use their CELL PHONES to call, even if they are right outside our door, so we know they are here. I don't mind if people want to stop by without prior plans, but CALL ME en route to let me know!

 

[RitaZ.]

Lynette~ Don't worry about what that relative may think. People like that will always find something to criticize.

Think of it this way, how many head-stones have you seen that stated, "Her house was always spotless". I haven't seen any. So when you look at the whole picture, it seems trivial. I know that sounds weird, but my mom tells me that all the time. I have come to accept the fact that my house can't be spotless at all times. In fact, it isn't anywhere near spotless most of the time!

The house will be organized when you are feeling better. So, take care of yourself and feel better soon!

 

[Kermit]

That would drive me nuts. I think that's the one good thing about having family live far away. My family is in Texas, and his is in Texas and Michigan.

 

[olena]

Nope. I rarely get visited. They expect us to do all the visiting......even though I can't drive.......

 

[Serena]

Yes all the time. The way I figure it, if you don't call first, then you had better be prepared for whatever you find. lol

I don't stress over that.

 

[shep]

when we lived closer(like 10 minutes away) they did..now that we live 30 minutes away it rarely happens..

 

[lynetteSC]

LOL Ritaz & SeaSpray...lol!
DH's parents live in AZ and think the plane only goes toward AZ when we are on it! So, atleast we don't have them to worry about!

Thanks guys!

 

[dandave]

All our relatives live out of state. This made me remember something that steamed me, however. The boys and I were having a fun day, (i.e. everything was kind of messy, I was wearing cut-off sweats, and we were playing video games, and goofing around.)
My friend called on his cell phone, saying that he and his girlfriend were just leaving a wedding. It was lots of small talk. I was still on the phone with him when the doorbell rang. It was my friend and his girlfriend, whom I barely knew. She had never seen my house, which is usually pretty tidy. Arrrgghh! I wanted to kill him! That was just rude!
I didn't say anything in front of his girlfriend, but I gave him an earful later. He thought it was just soooo funny.

 

[Kitty 34]

Most of my relatives live on the same street....they're always dropping in!!!

 

[lynetteSC]

that would be really scary Kitty 34 ....
(Just kidding!)

 

[snoopy]

Not only do they stop by unannounced, they tend to hang around waaaaay longer than they should. Its not unusual to find a family member sleeping on my couch on any given morning.

DH hated this when we first got married, he is used to it now.

 

[epcotfan]

That is the worst when people show up out of the blue.
I think the most polite thing to do is to call first and arrange an appropriate time for meeting. I don't think that is asking too much.
Someone always comes to the door when I'm sick or haven't had a shower yet.

 

[disykat]

My inlaws tried "dropping in" from 400 miles away. I couldn't believe it. We also had a doorbell that didn't work and didn't hear them. (Hmm - maybe they could have knocked?) The only way I knew they'd been here was when my neighbor called saying they had dropped off presents for the kids, but by the time he called they were down the street. The story all the relatives got was how they'd come all the way to visit and I refused to answer the door. GRRR!

Why on earth would anyone drive 400 miles without even calling? The ultimate in arrogance I guess.

 

[browneyes]

My family-no. They know better. My SO's family? They all live here, so yes, that has happened quite a bit.

 

[KimRaye]

Rarely, if ever. And, my family lives close. My parents NEVER do this, neither do inlaws. My brothers usually call before or, on the way. Tonight, it was an Aunt but, she 'notified' me this afternoon and, she was bringing gifts from WDW so, she was welcome anytime!!!

And, alternatively, I don't expect people to just be home if I drop by. I make sure that whatever I'm bringing can just be left between the doors or in the mailbox. I don't usually even ring the bell unless I've called ahead of time. Except my Mom's house, I've got a key for that so, no one has to be home for me to drop by there.