@TroysMammy
I keep the table laid to prevent build up of crap, placemats, plate on top, cutlery and salt and pepper.
This is quite extreme, but it’s effective! I put a spiky plant on the windowsill near the front door for this very purpose.
Hasn’t helped the top of any other available surface near the front door, the Basket O Crap on the end of the kitchen worktop, the sideboard in the lounge or the whole dining table.
Urgh. I know it’s all about enforcing better habits, particularly with the DC, but it’s So Much Effort.
My own personal rage is that my DH thinks he is Mr Perfect because he always “puts his things away where he can find them” - the DC hear this lecture frequently but in fact this is massively limited because he never considers anything not personally his to be in his wheelhouse of jurisdiction as the only other adult here.
So his keys, wallet, phone, his mask, all put away neatly. But that junk mail? Leave it for NoS (“I didn’t know if you’d need to see it”.) Funnily enough I don’t need to see the FineFoods flyer, an estate agent touting for business or the right-wing councillor campaign leaflet, DH. Just bloody bin it already.
Ditto anything left by the DC - not his issue, either to put away or nag them to do it. Sellotape left out, or glue - put them away where they live so you “always know where to find them” you’d think. But no. Not his responsibility, I guess. Or empty bottles/recycling - leave it approximately near the bin, especially if it needs rinsing out or the bin emptying. Half-used containers of stuff like toothpaste where you’ve opened a new one already - just leave those for NoS to deal with.
It’s infuriating.