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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To absolutely HATE unannounced visitors

178 replies

pinkpapaya · 30/03/2022 23:03

I know that I am a bit territorial over my space but I absolutely hate people who just 'drop in' unannounced! I could be in my knickers with a face mask in the middle of the day, having a bad migraine or just fancy uninterrupted time but no, apparently some people think that they can just visit when ever it is convenient for them. It really bugs me. I have actually hidden when the door knocks sometimes because I just can't face the small talk or having to have the house in 'show room' condition. My mum doesn't understand it as she loves visitors whether she has warning or not but to me it feels like an invasion of privacy. She has told me that I am unsociable but am I being unreasonable to expect a call or a text to ask if it is even convenient for them to come?

OP posts:
incognitoforthisone · 31/03/2022 16:40

YANBU at all. It's really not difficult to text 'I was wondering about dropping in for a cuppa and a chat this afternoon - no problem if you're not free though, just let me know!'

My mum (in stark contrast to me) is a very sociable person but even she isn't keen on people just turning up unannounced and always says the minimum warning should be the time it would take her to 'put her face on' and defrost some cakes.

StormyWindow · 31/03/2022 16:40

I hate it and have had to completely retrain DH's family as they all think it's fine Angry Even if I didn't hate it there are still reasons why it wouldn't work for our household though, some of DH's family dislike dogs and we have two who need to be taken out to pee before being shut in one room so we need notice to make sure that's done. DH does a lot of paperwork/prep for work at home and we don't have much space so need time to clear it all away before there's room for people to sit down, and DD is home educated so it's not always convenient to have people turning up while we're in the middle of something.

I'm still seen as awkward and antisocial though and they still try to push the boundaries, I used to try to compromise but it's become obvious there's no reciprocal effort so now I don't budge. Ultimately it's only not rude if it's what everyone involved is comfortable with, no one should have to feel uncomfortable in their own home.

Chely · 31/03/2022 16:43

I hate this too, especially when getting a bit of spontaneous how's your father.

Severntrent · 31/03/2022 16:45

I love it - sometimes inconvenient but just say so if that's the case. I wonder about people's social skills sometimes!

Severntrent · 31/03/2022 16:51

Although I don't really know anyone who would mind if I said 'I'm sorry I'm really busy with something' and I also don't care if my house/me is a bit messy.
I think a lot of you know people who can't take a hint.

Severntrent · 31/03/2022 16:51

And I like my friends (who doesn't!) and family. Not sure everyone here does.

HollowTalk · 31/03/2022 16:56

@Severntrent

I love it - sometimes inconvenient but just say so if that's the case. I wonder about people's social skills sometimes!
But tbf it's the social skills of the caller, too. Instead of calling ahead asking if it's OK, they turn up not knowing (or even caring) whether it's convenient to that person. Now that really is poor social skills.
NEUserNamesNotTakenJeez · 31/03/2022 16:58

I'm the same! Guarantee one particular person will walk in just as I'm about to have my dinner, just to work the dogs up, make small talk then piss off again when I'm not in the mood to eat anymore. Unfortunately I sit near the window by the front door so don't have time to avoid them. My house is my sanctuary, invite only!! 😅

Horst · 31/03/2022 16:59

I don’t want anyone popping in. Nope. Appointment only. Also hate people that drop stuff off but can’t stay but insist on coming in. Like why are you inside if you can’t stay anyway. Then there’s the people who feel a need to do the whole tour of the downstairs. First main room you can get to in my house is the kitchen there is space to stand and chat so if your not staying for a cuppa and a chat that require sitting (which I wouldn’t invite you to do anyway) why are you going further than my kitchen anyway nosey that why.

Horst · 31/03/2022 16:59

I’m ok with child guests though they don’t care. It’s judgy mc judgy adult pants. Read in-laws. My parents don’t visit anyway.

Anon778833 · 31/03/2022 17:00

YANBU I don't answer the door to unexpected visitors.

Shinyandnew1 · 31/03/2022 17:04

I would never turn up at someone else’s house unless I was just posting something through their door. I think it’s bloody rude. How long does a quick text take?!

Lulu1919 · 31/03/2022 17:06

Agree
If I'm home and I don't want to answer the door I close the front curtains and ignore !!!

godmum56 · 31/03/2022 17:13

I hate it and don't allow it unless in an emergency. I am very good at either no answering the door to sellers, double glazers, chuggers and so on. If they ring more than once I do open the door and say (politely-ish) I am busy please go away. I also have ano cold callers sticker from the council.

VickyEadieofThigh · 31/03/2022 17:17

HATE it. If neighbbours come to the door it's for a quick 'business' reason and they are held at the door (this is accepted practice here).

You don't go to visit - and by that I mean to go in the house and be offered refreshment, conversation, etc - unless the visit is booked.

TAKESNOSHITSHIRLEY · 31/03/2022 17:19

i have 2 kids(11,17) with complex disabilities each and both will freak out if some one turns up if visits are not prearranged. these rules applies to even family they love.

dont get it wrong we are not isolated or lonely we see family, friends and attend home ed groups very often its just visits have to be arranged before hand so the boys know.

they are also funny in to only going to houses they are happy with.
they love my parents house, my sisters (my 12 y old nephew is my youngest best friend as their is only 4 months between them and fully understands my youngest's needs and accepted him since birth)

but neither will enter my inlaws(well ex since 2020 when my ex after 22 years left us for my best friend overnight, but inlaws were not at fault on what their son did and didnt condone it and are still involved)their is no reason for it they just dont feel right there.

they also wont enter my nans house as she smokes heavily and will tell her so to her face why, this i understand i just dont get why not to mi inlaws.

'ive had many unwanted comments over the years from people (who haven't got a clue on disabilities and what the after effects causes from a upset) saying to me oh your letting them rule the roost ,to them its a non issue but to asd kids(and many more disabilities each)its a really big deal.

they get the f off its not your business of me or did i just ask for your opinion.

thankful family fully understand and my mother is my outside carer(when i need help as im a lone parent)

this house is their safe space(ive made it in to way more than the average house ,theres is things put in to place so they feel very safe, even though the area is very safe and we have been year nearly 10 years and its lovely here.
in fact we live practically in the forest on a mountain) and they feel comfortable/have a physical need to walk around naked as they both have severe sensory issues with clothes (yes im fed up of looking at privates)so if anyone knocked they run and panic.

in fact ive put up a laminated a3 sign in my front window saying unless invited or visits are prearranged dont knock as you wont get answered, it has a big red stop hand gesture.

strangers think its a joke sign but its for my kids benefit, ive had many of rows with cold callers. neighbours know the score and contact me other ways
back garden is as secure a a prison.

its also their education place(we home educate)so to them all aspects of their life are done here(they are not housebound or isolated as we also educate outside most days, its just their rigid way of thinking)

if i have a amazon delivery (which i do most days)kids have to be told and shown when they are due as they wont stop going on about it, even though they dont come in.

secretly i love the privacy as i dont appreciate unwanted visitors

so everyone we know only comes when arranged and not for long.

its funny though as both talk online with friends all the time and will accept a phone call/video call with no problem but if their best friend knocked the door they wont let them in but that person is allowed to be on call/video call in their bedroom(their most sacred safe space as im not allowed in with out permission)all night if they want.

you stick to your guns and dont let others peoples opinions make you do what you dont want .its your house your rules and your boundaries
make it very clear its not up for discussion. Those are my rules end of.

boundaries are a really big thing with me, bugger others peoples opinions and their entitlement that they opinions and needs trump yours.

ive read so many posts on here when they have written how much parents or in-laws(mainly mother in laws) overstep, walk in unannounced and just use their key, wont leave, bully them into doing how they want and i always think stupid cows tell them straight to f off and nip it straight in the bud.
but ive come to realise that not every one is not as strong as me as i am my user name and more and have been since birth

phoenixrosehere · 31/03/2022 17:20

I think a lot of people grinned and bared it before the introduction of caller id, answering machines, mobile phones and voicemails and there was usually someone around so coming by unannounced was the norm. As these things came to be, the tides have changed where to many it is rude and little to no excuse to not let someone know you would like to visit with all the ways to do so that doesn’t involve stopping by because one wants to and actually considering the person or people you’re visiting.

DFOD · 31/03/2022 17:22

Does anyone on this thread just drop in unannounced to others?

Pinkpigs · 31/03/2022 17:23

my own mum was one that would want a heads up on everything if you came around without her say so on her days she wouldn't open the door so on it was stupit as the years past everyone got sick of it and stopped going to her sad really coz shes missed so much i understand that we all want a day to our selfs but I dont want to end up Like my mum know one around not even her own children just becoz know one can keep up with her rules i think she only sees the post man now

megletthesecond · 31/03/2022 17:23

I never get visitors tbh.
But I would find it rude though, the house would be messy, I'd be in crappy house clothes and busy. I'm not at home twiddling my thumbs.

latriciamcneal · 31/03/2022 17:25

I'm not a fan of the pop-in.

Horst · 31/03/2022 17:27

I don’t pop around anyones without prior agreement either.

DFOD · 31/03/2022 17:30

@CeratopsofthePharoahs

How hard is it to call or text someone to say "Hi, we're passing by where you live, would it be ok if we popped in or are you busy?"

It's not hard at all.

And why is it that the people who just turn up always react badly when you tell them they can't come in? Somehow whatever it is you happen to be doing is of less importance to them being able to barge in.

Because they are exactly the CF, entitled, selfish type that have zero empathy and concern for anyone else in the first place and these same characteristics cause them to be affronted when you don’t comply instantly and completely with their whims.

But everyone else dislikes these CFs as well - just some people indulge them more than others for some unknown reason.

phoenixrosehere · 31/03/2022 17:35

Does anyone on this thread just drop in unannounced to others?

Nope. Massive pet peeve of mine is people dropping by unannounced. Saying that, I have wrongly assumed once that my DH had contacted his relatives he wanted to visit and drop off Christmas cards to only until we got there and saw no one was home that he said he hadn’t contacted them beforehand. Cue flashback of my dad doing the same thing with his side of the family. His family don’t mind such things so it’s ok for them but I still let people know regardless because I do actually want to see people, not take my chances on if they have time for a visit or not.

LadyMonicaBaddingham · 31/03/2022 17:36

Put your coat on to answer the door. If you don't want to see the person "I'm sorry, I'm just about to go out What a shame you didn't call ahead, you'd have saved yourself the wasted journey". If you're pleased to see them "Oh, you're lucky, I've only just got in"