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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Visitors calling unannounced

67 replies

Cookie105 · 08/04/2025 13:01

Am I being unreasonable to want people to let me know before they just turn up to visit us unannounced?

OP posts:
ButterCrackers · 08/04/2025 17:58

I’d feel bad for not being able to give time to the visitors due to my schedule. I’d say nice to see you but I’m busy so do message me next time so that I can arrange to be available.

UndermyShoeJoe · 08/04/2025 18:01

Hate it and only my mil does it. So double hate it. We will be in the middle of something that’s normally made the house an upside down jumble sale and ding dong. Then there’s the snide remarks. Go away you weren’t invited.

Chunkychips23 · 08/04/2025 18:04

I prefer it if people let me know they’re wanting to come over. Absolutely hated it when I was newly postpartum. There would be a knock on the door and I’d be sat in my disposable underwear with my boobs out recovering from surgery and barely functioning. Probably covered in baby sick too 😂 and then “just here for a cuddle with the baby and a cuppa - pop the kettle on”

If I get a quick text to let me know, it’s not so bad now. But I’m due again imminently, but this time we thankfully have moved areas, so those who just pop by won’t be able to do so as easily.

suburberphobe · 08/04/2025 18:06

God no. Far too old for that shit. Depends who it is of course.

I live in an appartment and have an intercom. I can just make an excuse about going out if not convenient. Hardly ever happens anymore. Usually just the postie to leave a package for a neighbour.

suburberphobe · 08/04/2025 18:07

Oh, and wouldn't dream of doing it to anyone else without a pre-arranged meet-up.

Most people work from home nowadays at least some of the time.

mepipesneedlagging · 08/04/2025 18:07

Watermill · 08/04/2025 13:52

I love my friends. I just don’t want them in my house.

Absolutely this 😂
I'd always rather be a guest, but rarely visit as I know I will be expected to host in return.

Differentstarts · 08/04/2025 18:16

Yanbu especially when people turn up when we've sat down to eat tea or are in the middle of bath and bedtime. If people just sent a quick message I'd make sure I'm available for them.

PinkPonyClubber · 08/04/2025 19:16

Im not a fan, there’s no need when we have phones to text now.
I think it also assumes you aren’t busy just because they aren’t. Like PP said it falls into the idea women are sitting about at home with only housekeeping and visitors to fill there time.

The worst people are the ones who pop by and then complain you weren’t in. DH has several friends who have stopped by because they thought DH might randomly be in on a Wednesday morning and not at work and then are put out because he’s not in.

Ilovecleaning · 08/04/2025 19:19

I HATE unannounced visitors. Very intrusive. A couple of hours notice is fine.

MooseAndSquirrelLoveFlannel · 08/04/2025 19:20

I love it when people turn up to see me, really makes me smile when my friend rocks up armed with biscuits and we chat over a cuppa.

Doesn't happen as much now, most of my friends and family have moved away. I really miss it.

I don't need my friends or family to book an appointment with me.

chocolatelover91 · 08/04/2025 19:43

MooseAndSquirrelLoveFlannel · 08/04/2025 19:20

I love it when people turn up to see me, really makes me smile when my friend rocks up armed with biscuits and we chat over a cuppa.

Doesn't happen as much now, most of my friends and family have moved away. I really miss it.

I don't need my friends or family to book an appointment with me.

See I don't like the way you say that, about booking time! It's not booking time that I require, I would just like to know you are coming! It's happened so many times of an evening where we just sit down to dinner and dh's mate shows up! If he had just messaged half hour before to say he would be in the neighborhood, we could say, Hold off till we eat, then the kettle is on and door is open! Common courtesy! It's mad how everyone is so different isn't it? and I love seeing people too, but I like to know so that I am mentally ready for the visit!

PeloMom · 08/04/2025 19:56

For me it’s not about clean house or not, is that I prefer not to ‘people’ on demand. Sometimes (more often than not) I prefer to sit with a nice book/ do a quiet activity at home rather than chitchat/ entertain and I can’t switch to ‘so happy to see you’ easily. It’s disrespectful and rude to intrude on others with no notice.

Mickeychampionwhatgoodami · 08/04/2025 20:02

Unannounced..I'm one of the weirdos that doesn't answer the door

Rainydaysandwellybobs · 08/04/2025 20:09

As I get older I lean more towards my home being my sanctuary.
Work has been awful lately so I've started enjoying spending time at home pottering.
I could easily still be in my dressing gown at lunchtime (I am over the 5am starts with young children, being showered, dressed and makeup on by 6.30am on a Sunday! ) I need those few days of peace to get over the week and prepare for the next week so I would be less than thrilled if people started popping over unannounced. The exception being my Sister who has seen me in every state imaginable so she can rock up whenever she likes.

Livpool · 08/04/2025 20:21

It doesn’t bother me at all when people just turn up but on Mumsnet is seems to be one of the worst things you can do 🤷🏼‍♀️

StoneofDestiny · 08/04/2025 20:26

I host lots of friends regularly, but I can't stand drop ins unannounced - especially if I've just settled down to eat, watch a film or read a book. Seriously - just text first to see if I'm free, then I'll probably say 'give me 15 mins' or something. It's not about tidiness - I'm tidy - it's just the disruption to plans.

alwaysdeleteyourcookies · 08/04/2025 20:30

Everyone knows I need a ten minute window, at least. If someone buzzes to get in, and I'm not expecting anyone, I don't answer. I have chronic pain, and I need to be ready for guests.

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