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Original poster

How to politely get these guests to leave?

94 replies

confusedttraveller · 10/04/2022 13:02

We have guests today for lunch. Whilst it will be nice to see them, from past experience with these guests, they will not want to leave, and will sit around looong after the conversation has dried up and we will need to drop hints that it's getting late. We have a toddler who will need tea by 6 and bathing at 7pm, and we have our grocery delivery on Sunday nights, organise stuff for the week ahead, plus I like to get into my pyjamas by 7.30 In the past I've used toddlers tea as an excuse but they just say "oh we don't mind" and then offer to help!

Any ideas for how we can get rid of them without telling them to F off?! SadConfused

OP posts:
NotTheOW · 10/04/2022 13:04

Ask them to leave. "This has been fun, but we're going to have to ask you to leave after this coffee as we have to get little one settled for bed"

Workinghardeveryday · 10/04/2022 13:05

Just explain toddler needs downtime before tea and bath to settle, you would love them to stay longer but toddler won’t settle later if they aren’t gone by 5....

GiantHaystacks2021 · 10/04/2022 13:05

Just tell them 'look, we need to get sorted, great to see you but we need to say goodbye and to get on with Sunday stuff'.

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General relationships
JustJam4Tea · 10/04/2022 13:05

Tell the. You are going out to meet someone at 4, to put flowers on a grave, play date, pick up order from b&q….just be clear about it.

ZaraSizeMedium · 10/04/2022 13:06

“Well… thanks for coming, it’s been lovely to see you, we must do this again soon, I’ll get your coats”.

Then literally go and get their coats and hand them to them.

muckandnettles · 10/04/2022 13:06

'Well I'm afraid we are going to have to chuck you out soon because we need to get ourselves sorted for tomorrow - been lovely seeing you though!'

Crunchymum · 10/04/2022 13:06

Who are the guests?

That would depend on how I handle it.

Thursday37 · 10/04/2022 13:06

Go out. I know it’s a faff, but say you have to be somewhere and then actually leave if you have to. Even if you just drive around the block.

I have a horse so use her as an excuse, I change into jodhpurs and make to go out. I have a very dear friend who is dreadful for this.

Chamomileteaplease · 10/04/2022 13:09

Great ideas above for what to say. But you have to be firm! Don't be wishy washy. I find standing up helps too Grin.

The less assertive way is of course plan B which is that you are all going out but as a PP says, this is more faffy. But you can at least push them out the door as you all go out.

Do let us know how you get on!

Rainbows89 · 10/04/2022 13:10

Is it your inlaws?

Definitely depends who it is!!

IncompleteSenten · 10/04/2022 13:10

About an hour before you really want them to go, you say "This has been fun but I'm going to need to call it a day soon so we can get the grocery delivery sorted and get things sorted for the week. Would you like a quick coffee before you leave?"

If they say no, you stand up and say thanks for coming, it's been lovely and you walk towards the door.

If they say yes, you make them a weak ass coffee and when they've drunk it you collect their cups, take them to the kitchen and say I'll see you out, let's do this again soon.

I don't do that. I say "ok, get out me house now" but I only have people over I can say that too and we'll laugh about it. Do you have that sort of relationship? If not, stick with the full social pantomime.

ZenNudist · 10/04/2022 13:16

If family I just let people hang around and do my own thing around them. If friends then make it clear they have to leave at x time.

babywalker56 · 10/04/2022 13:18

@muckandnettles

'Well I'm afraid we are going to have to chuck you out soon because we need to get ourselves sorted for tomorrow - been lovely seeing you though!'
I’d say something like this.

My usual go too is ‘it’s been great seeing you but sorry I have to kick you out now, we need to start getting ready for bed.’ People usually get the idea

Original poster
confusedttraveller · 10/04/2022 13:19

@IncompleteSenten

About an hour before you really want them to go, you say "This has been fun but I'm going to need to call it a day soon so we can get the grocery delivery sorted and get things sorted for the week. Would you like a quick coffee before you leave?"

If they say no, you stand up and say thanks for coming, it's been lovely and you walk towards the door.

If they say yes, you make them a weak ass coffee and when they've drunk it you collect their cups, take them to the kitchen and say I'll see you out, let's do this again soon.

I don't do that. I say "ok, get out me house now" but I only have people over I can say that too and we'll laugh about it. Do you have that sort of relationship? If not, stick with the full social pantomime.

Ooh this is really good!
OP posts:
midsomermurderess · 10/04/2022 13:20

Something like, that was fun, let's do it again, but we now have to get on with x.

EV117 · 10/04/2022 13:20

preview.redd.it/h6jhmbslfxn71.png?auto=webp&s=693799e364039bda0d7200fef528f772ebd59288

This meme is the first thing that came to mind…

NotTheOW · 10/04/2022 13:25

If they don't get the hint go and have bath

burnoutbabe · 10/04/2022 13:28

yep, if they came for lunch and sitting down afterwards, i'd ask them if they wanted a coffee before they headed off.

And i'd probably mention about needing to go to Tesco etc before it closes to pick up something that you forgot on your interenet shop. (which is generally 5 on a sunday)

andysgirl22 · 10/04/2022 13:31

Good luck OP. I hope your visitors are otherwise nice or at least timetable haha x

NippyWoowoo · 10/04/2022 13:33

Have somewhere to go/a relative to visit. 'Must be off my 4 to see dear Lulu, we must do this again'

NotTheOW · 10/04/2022 13:35

I read somewhere one of the Queens assistants had to ask Barack Obama to leave as the Queen wanted to go to bed. Do you have a footman or similar haha

andysgirl22 · 10/04/2022 13:36

Sorry that should have said tolerable. I hope your visitors are timetable though as in leave on timetable haha x

andysgirl22 · 10/04/2022 13:37

@NotTheOW that made me lol

Summersolargirl · 10/04/2022 13:38

Is it your in laws?

tinkerbellsays · 10/04/2022 13:43

When the next bit of conversations ends, I drop in 'anyone fancy a cuppa for the road?! before it's time to get baby ready for bed & get us organised for the week, Tesco is coming soon' type one liner - normally enough for a hint to be dropped in an ok way, good luck!