what a surprise..it has started!

[momager1]

long story, short.
husband and I took early retirement and sold our home in Canada. 7 weeks ago we moved to a condo that we had purchased previously (for our retirement) In Dominican Republic. 3 min walk to gorgeous bavaro beach, lots of quirky little eateries, Small condo complex but upscale with two large pools and 2 bbq gazebos with included gas bbqs and dining tables for the owners to use. SURPRISE. 3 couples that we have not had alot of socializing with have all sent messages this week. 1 looking to stay a week in august, 1 a week in October, and the other couple want to bring their two kids over CHRISTMAS!! I need to figure out a good response to them all. I did want to message back FUCK OFF but my husband thought it was a bit harsh haha. Couple one have always been good hosts as have we on the rare occasion that we have been in each others house ( and good dinner guests, including asking what they can bring and when i say nothing, they showed up with flowers and two bottles of wine as they didn't know what i was cooking, so a red and a white) Couple Two. had them over for a bbq once. nice enough people that lived in our culdesac, but showed up empty handed and then asked for some of the leftovers as she didn't have time to make anything for their packed lunches the next day (it was a lunch bbq over at 5 pm) Couple three. JUST NO. In the message they sent they said that they know it is just two bedrooms two baths, but the kids could sleep in the livingroom and share THEIR bathroom. And they were so looking forward to my cooking for the week as they are not in a position to eat out much !! ( I am a NOW RETIRED restaurant owning chef. NO NOPE NOPITY NOPE.
So. How do I word my messages back to them that does not include FUCK OFF ?

@momager1 Interestingly, I put in a search for Bepantiseptic First Aid Cream on Amazon - Germolene came up as one of the options! This was on the UK website, maybe you can strike gold with a reach on your Amazon version.

Everyone else might like to know that Tayto Cheese & Onion crisps are also available from Amazon UK, I would highly recommend these over the mixed packs/boxes, nothing wrong with the other flavours but the Cheese & Onion are moreish. They don't seem to stock Keogh's in the Shamrock flavour.

All the capital letters and hashtags makes it look like you're enjoying all the drama.

Just tell them no and stick to it.

Do you have any screenshots of the messages with #3?

Just like to say I've been reading your thread since you started it - and you sound great! Also very enviable.

Keep having fun! Somehow, I think you will 😎

Yeah, you know what these CFs will do then - just front up on OP’s doorstep!

The cf of some people.

You do know that before the whole Twitter hashtag thing, hashtags were used in place of the word 'number', don't you?! So #1 literally means number 1.

The op is retired with grown up children, not difficult to work out that is how she is using the #....

Well done! Take a bow! Bravissimo!!!

OP- as someone who lives in a lovely seaside town and quite famous tourist destination in the UK and who has had all manner of CFs impose themselkves on her I am CHEERING YOU ON. [gives Mexican wave].

I finally put my foot down last year. After nearly 20 years of absolute CFuckery.

Sorry to jump on your post @momager1 but I’m looking for a holiday in DR in December for our anniversary/honeymoon that we never had. Can we come and stay? 🤣 obviously joking!!!

But can you recommend any good places to stay? The budget is ok but not ridiculous. Happy with either all inclusive or breakfast only but want somewhere quite nice and chilled. The hotels seem like a minefield from Tripadvisor reviews!

I absolutely agree! I don't quite get all the love and encouragement for the OP who is absolute revelling in their good fortune and in the outrage at these CFs.

If OP is really retiring in your 50s to "Dominican Republic. 3 min walk to gorgeous bavaro beach, lots of quirky little eateries, Small condo complex but upscale with two large pools and 2 bbq gazebos with included gas bbqs and dining tables for the owners" (lovely detail there OP, we can all see the picture you are painting) then presumably somewhere in their life they've had to deal with saying no to people who want to do something they don't?

I don't quite get the gleeful outrage or the enthusiastic support. If this is true, OP is a very fortunate person and perhaps should just find a way to get enjoyment from that lovely life rather than from moaning about CFs on here. Just say no and enjoy your "condo".

Be careful with the dinner part. Couple #2 and #3 seem to be the type that they would expect the OP and her DH to "treat" and pay for the meal.

A drink or coffee is always better.

I agree with all of the above posters. "We are not entertaining any company for the foreseeable future. Our plans will be fluid and we never know when the travel bug will hit. But, if you are in the area, and we are home, we can meet up somewhere for coffee or a drink and catch up with each other."

Then block #2 and #3. They are CFers. Couple #1, you could perhaps host them for a night or two (but no longer) and show them some sights. If they wish to stay longer, then they can be off to an AirBnB or a hotel.

Did you miss the bit where the op told us she’s from Northern Ireland?

But she isnt from Canada is she?

I learned the phrase "big girl panties" on mumsnet. I'm guessing OP did too. I've never heard it anywhere else.

I think people say "big girl pants" on Mumsnet

It's a ridiculous phrase either way

Years ago I was in Blackpool and asked for a vodka and white. Got looked at like I had two heads and was asked 'white what?' 🤣🤣

I see the dementors have arrived to suck the joy from the thread

{adjusts hood and floats away in search of Sirius Black}