Friday, February 21, 2014

Popping In to Visit

I had a conversation with my sister the other day regarding friends who drop by to visit without calling ahead. I was wondering how you feel about that and whether or not you ever stop over at the home of friends or family unannounced. What do you do if a friend stops by unexpectedly? Are you prepared ahead of time for surprise guests and if you are, what kind of preparations do you have set aside?

Years ago I had a friend who I felt comfort- able visiting without a warning call. One of the reasons we would stop in
un- announced was that this particular family didn't have a telephone. (This was in the days before everyone had a cell phone in their pockets.) We were always welcomed in with a smile and it seemed she always had a cup of tea waiting. Sometimes we even stayed for an easy spaghetti dinner.

There have been times when a friend or family member has chided me for being in the vicinity and not knocking on the door. Sometimes it's hard to know what really is the proper thing to do and maybe it's more a case of knowing one's friends well enough to decipher their feelings about unexpected company.

I have a few friends, a select few, who occasionally show up and surprise me with a visit. Sometimes it's convenient, sometimes not so much, but I'm always grateful they feel comfortable enough with my friendship to stop and knock on my door. There's always a muffin mix in the cupboard and, in the cabinet, fresh coffee to brew.

(The picture is my friend Adam and that is his scary face. He's really quite friendly and not at all scary. He is one of my dropper-inner friends and I'm glad he does.)

29 comments:

  1. Well....I am glad you brought this up, Martha....
    I am always comfortable when I hear a knock at the door.....
    I am never upset or edgy....I welcome guests...invited or not....
    And...like you....always something to serve, along with a welcoming cup of tea♥️
    My boyfriend....on the other hand...is NOT a dropper-inner.....even if friends say"drop in next time".....
    Nope......not my handsome boyfriend....
    Sooooo.....needless to say......WE never pop in....even at. Our own kids places....we always call first ♥️
    I have dropped in on a certain few...and.....I must say...not particularly inviting....to be kind....not even a glass of water offered....so.....will cross that gal off my list!
    I love when people drop in.....housecoat.....hair smashed sideways....noooooo problem!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh yes....forgot.....I will be dressed and ready when you, Betsy and Wanda visit me at the cottage!
      Perhaps even a few cocktails....♥️
      Cheers!
      Linda :o)

      Delete
    2. HaHaHa Linda... I must tell you, your boyfriend and MINE are cut from the same cloth...I love visitor, and if there isn't something made...whip something up.

      Delete
    3. Linda, I can't wait to pop in on you sometime. Of course the "rather long" drive might necessitate a little bit of planning.

      My Darling doesn't do much visiting, but I don't think he's totally opposed to popping in on certain people. In fact, occasionally he's been the initiator.

      Delete
  2. You know my dearest is the most private man alive, and he wants notice, and he gives notice....HaHa I had to laugh at Linda's boyfriend who seems to be a carbon copy of Don.
    Now my mother had a wonderful saying "If you come to see me, come anytime ~~If you come to see my house, make an appointment!" Works for me!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That works for me too. I need more practice with drop -ins. Anyone care to magically appear?
      :0)

      Delete
    2. If I could pack me in a box, I would be on your porch..Of course if it's snowing, you might now find me and I'd freeze to death. Tee Hee.

      Delete
    3. Ha ha ha!
      I remember that....

      Delete
    4. I hope, Wanda, that you would arrive in a bigger package. Wouldn't that be cool?
      :0)

      Delete
  3. Where I come from originally - Australia - 'popping in' is totally acceptable AND expected - at least when I lived there. I would LOVE it if people popped in on me, but there is only a chosen few I would do it too. Here in Canada people don't seem to pop in. I really wouldn't care what state I am in if someone came. There is ALWAYS something to offer...........even if it is just tea and coffee. I would always hope they were coming to see me and not if the house was clean and tidy :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Marilyn, if I was closer I would drop in.
      :0)

      Delete
    2. It was always acceptable while we were growing up, but even so...it seems like people don't do it like they did just 20 or so years ago.

      Delete
    3. Yes, people were ALWAYS dropping in on Mom and Dad. We never thought anything of it. Now I miss it.

      Delete
    4. It would be a long drive - but you would be welcome for sure.......we live in Alberta :-)

      Delete
  4. I grew up in a home where unexpected guests weren't too welcome. There was even a mad dash of trying to clean up the front room in the 30 seconds before answering the door! So, that was engrained in me and I didn't like unexpected guests for years. It took me a while to take the mask off and just be real and let my house be real, too...not try to pretend the house is pristine all the time...because you know their house isn't either! ha.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I love Wanda's mom's quote. lol....

      Delete
    2. I struggle with unexpected guests but not because I don't want them. People show up so seldom that I'm all out of practice. I'd actually like it if friends showed up at my door more often.

      Delete
    3. I personally don't feel the need to serve something to eat whenever someone stops by, either. I'll offer them drink or cup of tea, but if it isn't mealtime, I don't panic over getting muffins in the oven or anything like that. They know they weren't expected...If they want to chat over a cup of tea, then great...more than that? No. ha. Maybe that's just me....more laid back than I should be.

      Delete
    4. I don't really feel like I have to feed people all the time either. I just don't always feel totally relaxed and don't want that to come off as being unwelcoming. Maybe I do better than I think.

      Delete
    5. I think it all depends upon who they are and why they are there. haha.

      Delete
    6. and what else you have going on at the time...

      Delete
    7. Yes, laundry and dishes can be set aside for a chat on the couch (or back porch) or a game of cars and blocks on the floor.

      Delete
  5. I always call before I visit you...but that's because it is a 45 minute drive. It would be so disappointing to drive all the way there and find you not home. Of course...I did invite myself to dinner (but I brought bread).

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm always blessed to have you visit, and even if you don't bring bread you are more than welcome to stay for supper! Thanks for coming.
      :0)

      Delete
  6. But the bread makes her more welcome. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I do love Marco Polo bread, but every time I look for it at Wegmans, it's gone.

      Delete
  7. I have a number of friends I treasure and we don't do drop in visits. We always plan ahead, which works well for us.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Planning ahead is always safe and that is usually how we do things too, but I do enjoy the occasional drop in visit.

      By the way, Terra, thanks for dropping in.
      :0)

      Delete