Would you prefer someone to call before they came over, or do you not mind?

@ranitam22 (1146)
United States
August 24, 2007 5:39pm CST
If I want to go over someone's house I usually call beforehand to first of all make sure they are at home so I don't waste the gas money. Secondly, I just think it is common courtesy to call before you just pop up for a visit. I wouldn't want people to just pop over my home, I could be busy or sleep and sometimes I just don't want to be bothered. Now this doesn't apply to my close relations like my immediate family or my best friend. but anybody else I would prefer they call. what is your opinion? Do you mind if somebody just stops by?
11 people like this
36 responses
@cutepenguin (6431)
• Canada
25 Aug 07
Well, I'm not often home. So I would prefer if people call before they came over, just to make sure I'm actually there. (And in some cases, as a warning, so that I clean up).
3 people like this
@AmbiePam (84632)
• United States
25 Aug 07
Yeah, I do a mad dash myself if someone calls to tell me they are coming over.
2 people like this
@ranitam22 (1146)
• United States
26 Aug 07
I'm glad I'm not the only one that needs a minute or two. I thought my apartment was the only one that don't be clean all the way at times.
@Laurla98 (786)
• United States
24 Aug 07
I have one family member that I know I could show up announced and they wouldn't care. Other than that...I always call. I like to make sure someone is home before I drive to their house. But even though someone tells you that your welcome anytime...maybe they are busy at the moment...
3 people like this
@ranitam22 (1146)
• United States
25 Aug 07
yeah, but they shouldn't complain. that is why you don't go to people's houses unannounced.
3 people like this
@ladyluna (7004)
• United States
25 Aug 07
Hello Ranitam22, By now most people realize that if they don't call ahead, we might not realize that they ever stopped by. We live way out in the country, and if someone beeped 'till the sun went down we still might not realize that someone came a 'calling. Most times our pack of dogs will alert us to any callers at the gate. However, if we're engaged in projects elsewhere on the property, we might not know that anyone ever intended to visit. So, I guess they probably should call ahead. Of course, even if we were within yelling distance of our neighbors, I think it's plain courtesty to call ahead. It's just respectful to acknowledge that one isn't disrupting their neighbor. It's all about respect!
2 people like this
@ranitam22 (1146)
• United States
26 Aug 07
yes it is respect and you never know what could be going on with that other person for you to be intruding on them surprisingly.
1 person likes this
@AmbiePam (84632)
• United States
25 Aug 07
I prefer to get a call first because I have two dogs and I live in an apartment. If I know someone is coming over, I can put my dogs in another room so they won't run out the front door when someone arrives (I live in an apartment without screen doors). But if it is my parents, I really don't care if they call or not. They came over the other day and didn't call. I know they get people all the time at their house who don't call before hand. And I mean a lot. Their neighbor even came over at 11pm asking for sugar! They were in bed, but that didn't bother the neighbor. I know they would appreciate a heads up before company.
2 people like this
@ranitam22 (1146)
• United States
26 Aug 07
yes especially when I'm in bed and somebody is waking me up for some sugar. I would've been upset. Thanks for your response.
@gesell03 (173)
• Philippines
25 Aug 07
its still polite to call before you come over, it still is a good idea.
2 people like this
@ranitam22 (1146)
• United States
26 Aug 07
yes it is the polite thing to do, thanks for your responese.
@tsitra100 (171)
• Barbados
25 Aug 07
I think if you're going to do anything that is going include someone you should let them know about it.
2 people like this
@ranitam22 (1146)
• United States
26 Aug 07
that's a good way of putting it, thanks for your response.
• United States
25 Aug 07
well back in th edays before my son..i always tried and made sure everyone called me before they came tomy house..so i can organize and all that jazzz...well..its been 5 yrs now ive had sky and i wil tell you what..i can clean my heart out..only to turn around and the toys are right back where they were lol..so now i just tell my friends..Look..my house was clean//.but..at this moment Sky is up..so u may have to walk over toys lol..we all have laughs..but now i do my best..for the most part..and if they dont like it..well tough cookies..theer only kids once..lol..(no my house isnt trashed..just alot of toys lol)
1 person likes this
@ranitam22 (1146)
• United States
27 Aug 07
lol...nothing wrong with toys on the floor. thanks for your response.
@Foxxee (3651)
• United States
25 Aug 07
I actually prefer them to call before they come over. I hate it when people just show up without calling to let me know first. This also goes for my family, like my sisters and even my mother. I wish they would call as well becasue it's just rude and I need time to gather myself before people just come running in on me. My sister will come over and bang and bang on my doors until I open. I think it's rude. I'm sleeping or my kids are sleeping and I want time alone and they just come over. It makes me upset. So I would rather people call first. It shows respect.
@ranitam22 (1146)
• United States
27 Aug 07
I think it is respectful and common courtesy too to call people beforehand. I have to get on my boyfriend at times because he likes to just sneak up on people and I tell him to call first. Thanks for your response.
@nickventere (1420)
• Zambia
25 Aug 07
I prefer someone calling me first before they show up, regardless of the nature of business. It doesn't whether it is a relation passing through to say over a cuppa and so on. But I think it's just courteous practice that they notify me before they come over.
1 person likes this
@Geminigirl (1909)
• United States
25 Aug 07
Absolutely I want anyone to call first. I do not like surprise visits, and I think it is rude, unless it is a true emergency. I think it is the courteous thing to do, to call first.
@secretbear (19448)
• Philippines
25 Aug 07
i prefer to be informed first. just like you i dont want people popping over my house, there are times i wouldnt want to be disturbed, times i dont feel like having visitors, times i want to be alone, watch tv or just sleep. but sometimes its nice to be surprised. well, it depends on who the visitor would be. ^__^;; but like you, i dont mind if its my bestfriend who would popped in suddenly. but it seldom happens coz we always send text messages first before we see each other. ^__^
1 person likes this
@ranitam22 (1146)
• United States
27 Aug 07
yes if it is someone you want to see, it is good for them to pop up for a visit.
@twoey68 (13627)
• United States
27 Aug 07
Definately. I hate when ppl just pop in and expect to be entertained. I am a very private person and don't like feeling like I'm on call for ppl who decide to drop in. Have a good day!! AT PEACE WITHIN
@artemis432 (7474)
• Abernathy, Texas
24 Aug 07
I used to not care and friends were best friends. Now that I have a baby, I prefer a call. If I don't answer, that means I don't have time/energy to socialize. I hate it when I'm nursing and the baby falls asleep in my lap and my friend on base comes over unexpectedly - baby wakes up - and sometimes me. Or sometimes nowadays, specially when I have a migraine or I'm recovering and I can't take medicine as I'm nursing - I just don't feel like socializing - not up to it. So I definitely prefer a call. My friend is different. We went through a few months where she didn't answer the phone. She asked why I never came over - turns out she was depressed - and I didn't want to bother her. She says during those time she needs a kick in the tuckus to get her up and about. Everyone is different I guess.
@ranitam22 (1146)
• United States
25 Aug 07
that is a good example, thanks for your response
@clocks123 (1225)
• United States
25 Aug 07
i would prefer that anyone call before coming over it is common courtesy and i would do the same for all of them as well family friends anyone
@TerryZ (22076)
• United States
25 Aug 07
NO I hate it when people just pop in. Most of my family and friends know I dont like it so they will call first.LOL I think its rude of people not to call first.
@stacy624 (2776)
• Canada
25 Aug 07
I have to say I do not like it when people show without a phone call first. But with having 8 children and a house to clean ect ect I find that I don't really get the chance to stop for any extras. I think it is only proper to call first I find it shows respect from that person on the other end. =) Best wishes and Happy posting Stacy
@shinjiao (1457)
• China
25 Aug 07
Coz I seldom live in my apartment so I prefer someone to call before they came over.I need time to clean the room,wear appropriately and preparing something for their/his/her visiting.I don't like people bother me when I'm enjoying my snapin my home.Sometimes they don't give me a call and knock on the door outside.Insane!
• United States
25 Aug 07
i would definitely call because i hate when people come by uninvited it is usually at the time when i am too busy for them besides its common courtesy to let them know u are coming or even if they want your company at that time
@faith210 (11224)
• Philippines
25 Aug 07
Hi ranitam22! I love entertaining people in our home but I would rather that they call first so that I can at least prepare some snacks for them. And not just suddenly bursting into our doorsteps because I might be having some work to be done or I might be entertaining other people too. Take care and have a nice day!
@laurika (4532)
• United States
25 Aug 07
Yeah I prefer if somebody call before they came over.I like to be hospitable, but I need some time to prepare something for my visitors.And also you are right, not all the time I am in mood to talk.