Probably going to get bombarded with relatives this summer...

[CrystalTipped]

I live at a coastal town in the UK. For years family members have been saying they'll come down and visit but they never do - Greece, Spain, Italy, Dubai, Vegas, Disney, are all more appealing, understandably. And I end up going to visit them.

But now I'm starting to get emails and messages suggesting that once lockdown gets relaxed they might come and stay and "squeeze in" a few days at the beach before going back to work. Because they want to spend some time with me of course...

I'm probably going to get second waved in my own home

You don’t have to say yes.

Tell them you'll go see them.

Be firm straight away. You're not taking any visitors into your home, lockdown or no lockdown.

Fuck that! Houseguests ❌

Hotel that way -->

Breezy "have to be another time sorry! Also have loads of post lockdown plans!" messages would probably be my go to response here.

I'd seriously say it's great you want to visit finally but not this summer with all that's going on.

Surely no one would argue with that??

I suspect they're optimistic about what will be allowed even once lockdown is relaxed anyway. But I suggest you just tell them you won't have room and send details of local B&Bs.

Hmm. I don't want to say my siblings are freeloaders, but would they rather risk getting covid-19 than pay for a hotel room? Yes.

We'll have to see how it goes. We're not even really allowed on the beach or the pier at the moment, a police officer springs at you and wants to know why you can't walk somewhere less pleasant. And of course most businesses are shut down. I might emphasize that angle...

I’d go with the lots of plans of your own approach.

Maybe even throw in “that doesn’t work for me”

We live in a very touristy area and I learned a long time ago to be firm about this.

For the first few years we lived here we were inundated by CFs after a free holiday.

Close family and friends who keep in touch and visit all year round - yes

Those who crawl out of the woodwork once a year with their not-so-subtle-hints - no

I have a few B&Bs I recommend

We are still going to be confined to our houses for another 17 months. I wouldn’t worry yet.

Bollocks to that. Just say it’s not convenient.

Reply with yes would be lovely to see you. I can recommend xxxx bed and breakfast and xxxx hotel which are local

Yes to B+B suggestions. Really push the 'it will be really good for the local economy angle

Just say no

Maybe you had to put off some plumbing and rewiring needed in March, so house will be a bit of a building site once lockdown lifted...

I’d reply something like...

I know that the local tourist businesses will love the trade once they are reopened especially the family run and smaller B&Bs. At the moment we can’t even allowed to look at the beach without the police arriving on blue lights and running the risk of local Facebook shaming!

I really don’t understand people who are apparently close enough to their siblings to allow them to stay in their own home but not close enough to say no when it doesn’t suit them.

I live in a coastal town in the West Country. We are really lucky that our area has been very lightly hit. It does worry me that when the lockdown is lifted everyone will flood here and we are going to have a serious peak

Tell them no, you're not having visitors this summer.