To absolutely HATE unannounced visitors

[pinkpapaya]

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?

@Primtemps

Read Mra Beetons household management. Basically advises you to get breakfast all tided quickly and then put on a pinny, to be easily removed for unexpected visitors whilst you do your cleaning.

I must get this. It sounds like a hoot.

I definitely think how you feel about this is connected to the size of your family and what it was like when you were younger.

My father hated it and we are a small family and I find it very weird. I'd never dream of it myself. I have some Irish friends who think absolutely nothing of just dropping in on people but equally they have absolutely no expectation that the house will be all spruced for visitors.

I wish I did like it as it feels spontaneous and jolly. But I just find it stressful and annoying.

@Volhhg

I love it! It's nice and it's reassuring that the world can keep ticking without phones. If I wasn't dressed obviously I wouldn't answer the door. I Wish more people were less uptight socially

It's really not about being uptight, or about phone dependence. It's about manners imo. Turning up on the doorstep without checking it's convenient implies a lack of respect for the other person's time and priorities.

Also: you mentioned not answering the door if not dressed, but what would you do if the person started repeatedly knocking/ringing the bell, or looking through/tapping on the windows, or rattling the letter box and shouting 'Coo-ee! We know you're in there!', or actually coming into the house if there's a door unlocked, or they rang you and announced 'We're outside', effectively forcing you to come to the door? Some unannounced guests do these things – I've experienced several of them personally and heard horror stories about the others -
imo you're lucky if no one you know does it.

Also, do you still love it if the person who's turned up isn't someone you enjoy spending time with?