POLL: Are you ready for guests?

11 years ago

Does the idea of someone showing up at your door unannounced send you into a cold sweat or are you ready for drop in guests whenever they may pop by?

VOTE and tell us about it in the comments!

Beach Style Entry · More Info

Yes - Come on over!

NO - I need some notice, please!

Other - Tell us below!

Featured Answer

thickskin

11 years ago

last modified: 11 years ago

Come on over RIGHT NOW, I have dirty dishes in the sink,I still have to wipe the stove down; as a matter of fact, I am still in my night clothes; but, you are my friend. Now we have a choice. If you want me to go out prancing with you, then you will have to help me clean up or, we can just leave the darn thing and go have fun somewhere The house will be here, dirty dishes and all when we get back.And if you tell other people SO WHAT???
I am so glad I got over this clean guilt thing that was strapping me down to this house when I retired eight years ago. And my real friends just want to enjoy my company; They know, and I know how to put a house in magazine condition. And I mean magazine condition. But, we also realize there are more important things in life than a finger print on a glass table. Looked at the News lately????
So. come on over. My time is running out. I am 68 years old, and I spent 60 of them worrying about a smudge on the stainless steel fridge.

Geeez that felt good.!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Comments (188)

mntflwr
11 years ago
we are having guests this weekend. and im still unpacking. but their room is ready
woolywilly
11 years ago
The real question is, are they ready for us? I am not your maid. I am not your cruise director. I love to cook, but am not your personal short order cook and bartender. Pitch in, relax, have some fun and we will get along great.
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midnightrose
11 years ago
It's been weeks since anyone responded to this poll, but I did have a giggle at your response. Would you truly actually say that to a guest? Or be like me and seeth quietly, and count the day's until they go?
thickskin
11 years ago
@midnightrose--------------I will and have put the word out. That is why my guests pitch in. Who in their right mind would come to someones home and expect the woman of the home to work like a dog so you can relax and have fun. Then after you leave she must now clean and get the house back in order, and you have had your vacation. Don't want to pitch in---"go to a hotel'
lake1114
11 years ago
woolywilly- I could not agree more! Are my guests coming to visit me or get a free vacation? If they are coming to visit me then they darn well better pitch in. If they are coming for a free vacation then they can find some other sucker host to serve and wait on them. My door is always open but my maids uniform stays in the closet!
thickskin
11 years ago
@Lake1114----------How come you were able to say it better than I did????
User
11 years ago
My mother always taught us that if we were guests in someone's home, we should make ourselves pleasant and helpful if we wanted to be asked back. So, even as a youngster, when I spent the night with friends, I always made my bed, picked up my clothes, helped clear the table, and tried to be helpful and considerate. I taught my own children the same and, just like me, they always did a better job at other people's home than their own!
The big house
11 years ago
I'm me, take me or leave me. Stop by anytime, you are more important than a mess in the house. I'm sure we can find a tidy corner for coffee or a glass of wine.
midnightrose
11 years ago
We are in a real bind, as I type. Our gardener who looks after (badly) our home o/seas and is only an aquaintance has said he needs a holiday, so he will come to us. We offered him a small cottage at 1/2 price, but that didn't suit. I know why it didn't suit, he wants to live with us under our roof, so I can be his cook, run him around our town, do his washing while he sits on his ****.He is a lazy chain smoker, we do not want him. Unbeknown to him, we are trying to replace him, maybe he will get the message that way. Or we are just going to have to say "No". I don't want to hurt his feelings, as he's a nice enough man who still lives with his mother. Being Italian, I just bet Mama does everything for him. Well, I'm not his Mama.
Kenneth Gittins
11 years ago
Midnightrose, sometimes you just have to be blunt, tell him it's the cottage or nothing !
lake1114
11 years ago
Midnightrose-I don't see any problem here at all. Tell him to find his own place to stay or bring his maid with him. You are not responsible for his housing, dining or entertainment while he is on "holiday"

Thickskin- not so sure if it is good or bad but I have had a lot of practice!
thickskin
11 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
@Midnightrose---------It is a two letter word------ NO. ------ And you don't have to explain yourself. Just NO. and walk away. I do it all the time.
User
11 years ago
@Midnightrose - I get your angst but seriously, he's asking too much. You've been more than generous in your offer of the cabin and if he doesn't accept that, it's "not your circus, not your monkey, not your problem." (popular phrase trending in this area). I know what's it's like to not want to hurt someone's feelings, but since he's as "lazy" as you say, you may be doing yourself a favor if he decides not to continue his "job" as your caretaker. I'm sure you'll be able to easily replace him with someone more conscientious. People can only take advantage of us when we let them. I've unfortunately learned that the hard way. This is definitely one of those occasions when you have to "just say no."
shars55
11 years ago
I would have no problem saying NO!!! He's not family or a good friend. Frankly, he had a lot of nerve even asking. No way!!!!! You aren't the Ritz Carlton, for heavens sake. If he needs a holiday, go book a hotel.
Angel 18432
11 years ago
Small cottage 1/2 price - staying with you zero $$ - you wouldn't charge him to stay with you. Possibly wants free accommodation as opposed to paying for it. I feel for you when he's the one looking after your property so many miles away - you don't want to rock the boat too much. Hopefully you will find a replacement soon but in the meantime perhaps you could ask him what his solution would be.
midnightrose
11 years ago
Ladies, you have been a great source of wisdom for me. Angel, that's exactly why he turned the cottage down, he wants me to babysit him, as his Mama always has. shars55 we too, thought he had a cheek to ask, or at least he should have said "I would like to RENT one of your abodes. Thank you all so much for your time, and sensible advice.
lake1114
11 years ago
Good Luck!!
pam h
11 years ago
When I worked outside the home, I need 2-3 days notice for company. Now, I'm fine with 10-15 minutes. Less than that and you get what you get. It may not be as tidy as you'd like, or I may be on my way out the door (and will not stop). But provided I have no plans, you're welcome here! A few years ago, we moved away from family. Now, I actually miss the "drop bys."
cabingirl13
11 years ago
right now.....NO! My house is a wreck...lots of tidying up to do over the weekend.
Robyn Spence
11 years ago
i like to be the guest, no matter what shape the house is in, friends are friends.
PRO
Atlas Custom Cabinets Ltd
11 years ago
Hm, it depends on the person. If it is a close friend, I do not mind them coming over spontaneously. Although I do feel uncomfortable and embarrassed if it is not as clean as I would like it to be. I never care if someone's place is messy, but it was engrained in my brain to always welcome visitors at a spotless place. How easy life would be if we weren't afraid of other people judging us and gossiping!
thickskin
11 years ago
@Atlas------ Try it you will like it. People also judge and gossip when your house is too clean; Well, I do. I wonder how happy their husbands are coming home to a home where their wives are so tired, scrubbing, and polishing, and cooking that perfect meal, and cleaning that stainless steel,and cleaning the spots off the glass shower,and using that toothbrush in all the crevaces, and dusting, and getting every piece of animal hair off the furniture and floor, and steaming and steralizing the floor tiles and wood floors,and look! there is a speck of dust on the glass coffee table,and oh! if the kitchen counter is not steralized someone will die. WHAT!!!! now you want romance???????? I am exhausted------ I wonder why my husband is coming home later, and later----------------------------
PRO
Atlas Custom Cabinets Ltd
11 years ago
@thickskin: That actually made me laugh a lot, thank you! You are right, you can always overdo it! I think it is more important to spend quality time with the people you love, instead of cleaning an extra hour.

I was taught that it is not respectful to welcome visitors in a messy house - meaning that they feel as if they were not important enough to me to put time and effort into cleaning. I guess you have to find a healthy balance between messy and magazine ready.
User
11 years ago
The adage my mother used and passed on to me was: If I invite you, I will do my best to have everything ready for you. If you drop by (and you are more than welcome to do so), deal with whatever you find. :) I still think that's good advice -- for hosts and guests.
lake1114
11 years ago
thickskin-you forgot one thing, we do all that after working all day!
thickskin
11 years ago
I am so glad most of you can see the humour in my posts. Some are so uptight; and just the thought of them being uptight cracks me up. LOL
User
11 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
@thickskin - Please don't talk about my Aunt Francis that way. We all know that her house was always perfect. Her dinner parties were precision events. She never had leftovers and no, no, no, don't ask for seconds because she made one serving for everyone and that was it. Her floors gleamed, her furniture shined, and her hair never was out of place.

My mother, on the other hand, was always in the middle of something. She would leave strings and pins strewn everywhere while she was sewing. Leftovers abounded. The house was clean but not gleaming and she always had a look that was a tiny bit askew.

Guess who was more fun to be around?
Angela Green
11 years ago
It sure was fun catching up on this thread. Who knew it was still going? My email notification with thickskin's last comment, caught my eye. Yes, I like your sense of humor. Wait...humour? I thought I was reading a lot of British accents. ;) Anyway, I always wanted to know the secret of my friends whose homes always looked spotless, despite the fact that they were in PJ's all day, and climbing out of the bed if I happened to be their drop by guest. (Not overnight) If I'm in PJ's all day, my house looks a hot mess too.
User
11 years ago
@Angela Green - they must be Stepford Wives. hehehe
thickskin
11 years ago
I have a friend, her house is perfect. I have never. in eight years, seen anyone in her living room. Her maid has three different colour uniforms. One colour for lunch, one for tea, and one for dinner. She uses a bell to summon the poor maid. If you ask for a drink of water, it is brought by the maid, on a tray, with doily, and cloth napkins.She makes Mrs Bucket look like a slob.
When she comes to my house, I yell 'Everybody dig in' because, yep!!! I am my own maid.
User
11 years ago
Bless your friend's heart.
Angela Green
11 years ago
Thickskin: I'm speechless. haha Lol @ whynottryit, Stepford Wives-yep.
PRO
Atlas Custom Cabinets Ltd
11 years ago
@thickskin: no way! That sounds hilarious in a disturbing way. I guess time stood still in some places...
thickskin
11 years ago
@Atlas--- Yes way.
Najeebah
11 years ago
I recently brought a friend over - a verrry close friend - for an informal meeting before going to lunch. Another of my family had been cleaning, resulting in a mess-in-progress.
When we casually passed that section of the house I was called away earnestly "How can you show the the house like that?! Go and explain and apologize......"
I returned laughing and told her why I'd been called. I think her exact world were, "Oh... I hadn't noticed. Though things left around make me more comfortable (in another's hse)
Different strokes for different folks :) I agree with thickskin
Angela Green
11 years ago
My house in its normal state: "Wait! Give me a minute before you open that door!" My house spotless: (So proud.) "Here is the guestroom." Other people's house spotless: Thinking, "Give me a break!" Other people's house messy: "I love you too. You made me feel so welcome."
Ha Ha! Maybe I need a shrink!
lake1114
11 years ago
I hope so cuz they are here now for our Christmas with our out of state family!!
Angela Green
11 years ago
Once we went back to our home town to visit (6 hours away). Close friends from back home came out east, where we now live. They got discouraged from driving, due to a bad snow storm and called us. We sort of switched places, geographically. Not wanting anything bad to happen to them by driving in the snow storm, I said: "We are away too! But, here's how to break into our house...you will find some messy rooms you won't want to sleep in. You will find a straightened up room...not our room. haha The sheets may or may not have been slept in. Make yourself at home. There is a pizza shop down the hill and to the left. Enjoy your stay and have a safe trip back home." We came back to the sweetest thank you letter. (No, I didn't learn any lessons from that. LOL)
User
11 years ago
NO, please......I can barely stand it myself. Still trying to settle into an apartment less than half the size of what I've lived in for over 30 years... I'm right on the verge of just giving up, and saying "you win"... :)
User
11 years ago
I have had a good early morning laugh reading through this thread....I can relate to many of the remarks. I've had a maid, been my own maid...had a perfectly "put together show place home", and now a small cluttered, unorganized apartment. I've had very few visitors~~~and, never invite anyone over.....I haven't replaced my living room furniture since the move, there's no where to sit and visit, no dining room furniture for my tiny dining area. I do have a couple of bar stools sitting at the end of the kitchen. So, if you do drop by, pull up a stool and and we'll have a cuppa coffee... LOL
1bqueen
11 years ago
I agree with Shars55. I have a guest room always made up clean towels and bathroom however that doesn't mean you get to just pop in. I may be headed out, already have a guest that is staying with me or resting at home in my pjs for the day. Ms. Manners dictates that you "call before you come unannounced".
thickskin
11 years ago
Can't believe this thread is still going.
raffila
10 years ago
Come right in. I love guests. It's about tea, cookies, comfort. I always have the living room in good shape. It only takes a minute to get the kettle on. The dining room table has fresh white lace tablecloth, even tho we eat all our meals on it. Our toddler granddaughter is careful to keep her messes on the plastic placemat.

Aside from that there is dog hair, dust, an occasional spider web, pile of this or that we might have to move. So what. It's about friends and family, not about perfection in housekeeping. The guest room is tidy too, so you can lie down if you need a nap. You can stay overnight anytime. The bedroom/bath wing tho is Japanese style meaning you have to take off your shoes--a happy medium because we have Japanese relatives. (also you wouldn't believe how clean carpets stay with the no shoe policy) Rest of the house is ok for shoes.

Read a book, we have hundreds around. Or maybe you want your fortune told? Perhaps just snuggle up to the fireplace or take a dip in the hot tub, admire the view while smelling the roses dotted in pots around the patio. Whatever makes you comfortable, makes us happy. So. Come right in!
Ursula Kopec
10 years ago
Best friends don't care if your house is clean..they care if you have wine!! :)
Judy Henry
10 years ago
Lol we have an electric game so there's no unannounced visits.
Judy Henry
10 years ago
gate
Ben Hart
10 years ago
Absolutely always open for an unannounced visitor! They're the best kind. :)
midnightrose
10 years ago
Unlike Ben Hart below, I don't like people just dropping in. I like to be given some warning. If I'm not fond of the visitor, I will be going out. Works for me.
PRO
Lunada Consulting & Design, Inc.
10 years ago
I can hardly wait til you drop in!
PRO
The Joshua Tree Vanities
10 years ago
Yep, Even coffee's ready, Drop in anytime!

POLL: Are you ready for guests?

Comments (188)

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