What do you do to welcome unexpected guests

@sjvg1976 (41131)
Delhi, India
August 18, 2022 11:48pm CST
Yesterday my cousin and his wife visited our home. They were expected to come a few days later but they came earlier. We were not prepared for it. They informed us over the phone that they will join us for morning breakfast. They came at 10:30 a few minutes later when we take our breakfast. My wife prepared lots of things and we bought some sweets and dishes from the market. They were at our home and the time was 12:30 pm. I was getting late for the office as I usually leave home at 12:30 to reach the workplace. I was hesitant about how to tell them that I am getting late. I gathered some courage and left and started getting prepared for the workplace. I left for the office but got late by a few minutes than my usual time. I was worried about what they might have thought as they came to visit us and I left them for the office. I would have surely taken the off from work if they had informed me earlier about their arrival. How do you deal with unexpected guests? What would you have done, if you were in my place?
18 people like this
19 responses
@Adie04 (17360)
19 Aug 22
It's been ages since we have unexpected guests.
4 people like this
@sjvg1976 (41131)
• Delhi, India
19 Aug 22
You are fortunate then. It's tough to welcome them.
3 people like this
@Adie04 (17360)
19 Aug 22
@sjvg1976 I feel you. I know how is it looks and feels like.
2 people like this
@cacay1 (83223)
• Cagayan De Oro, Philippines
19 Aug 22
@Adie04 usually guests informed ahead of time. I don't like unexpected guests.
3 people like this
@wolfgirl569 (95440)
• Marion, Ohio
19 Aug 22
I dont worry about it. They have to accept that I have things to do. Especially when they were not expected for me to adjust things around
3 people like this
@sjvg1976 (41131)
• Delhi, India
19 Aug 22
But that would look awkward, they will be at home and you are doing your work.
2 people like this
@sjvg1976 (41131)
• Delhi, India
19 Aug 22
@wolfgirl569 Somewhere you're right but still, I didn't dare to say so but I went to the office leaving them with my wife and kids.
2 people like this
@wolfgirl569 (95440)
• Marion, Ohio
19 Aug 22
@sjvg1976 They are the ones that showed up unannounced. You have to earn a living.
2 people like this
@allknowing (130064)
• India
20 Aug 22
I do not like when guests arrive unannounced.
2 people like this
@sjvg1976 (41131)
• Delhi, India
20 Aug 22
No one likes it I think.
2 people like this
• India
19 Aug 22
If its important then better to take off but if they are staying for 2-3 days then no need to take off unless its important
2 people like this
@sjvg1976 (41131)
• Delhi, India
19 Aug 22
I also feel that I could have taken an off but they were returning that day only. If they were staying here then would have taken an off. @Butterfingers
2 people like this
@cacay1 (83223)
• Cagayan De Oro, Philippines
19 Aug 22
@Butterfingers, that's correct
2 people like this
• India
19 Aug 22
@sjvg1976 then you should have taken off
1 person likes this
• Shenzhen, China
19 Aug 22
honestly,i dislike unexpected guests,if just one or two guests,i can accept.but if lots of expected guests came to visit,i will get upset.I need time to prepare in advance for much guests,but if they are unexpected,will get me in a hurry to entertain them,plus so much guests will confuse my life's order.I am hospitable for sure,but i hope to put guests on a schedule,then i can treat them in a leisure way but not hurried.
2 people like this
@cacay1 (83223)
• Cagayan De Oro, Philippines
19 Aug 22
@jefferson126, me too, don't Iike unexpected guests. I won't compromise my work. One time I told the unexpected guests at home to come back weekend to have time to entertain them. I knew what they felt, but I won't compromise my work or else I would have a bad evaluation.
1 person likes this
@cacay1 (83223)
• Cagayan De Oro, Philippines
21 Aug 22
@jefferson126 you're absolutely correct. They should not appear during workdays.
• Shenzhen, China
20 Aug 22
@cacay1 ,I think you did a right thing with courage,although the guests may get upset,we have to choose work when there is a conflict bewteen work and guests.
1 person likes this
@sica98 (2441)
• Malaysia
19 Aug 22
It has been a while since covid.I would tell get comfortable and I'll be back to deal with you after I get home from work..
2 people like this
@cacay1 (83223)
• Cagayan De Oro, Philippines
19 Aug 22
2 people like this
@sica98 (2441)
• Malaysia
19 Aug 22
@cacay1 When your not prepared there's nothing much you can really do.
2 people like this
@sjvg1976 (41131)
• Delhi, India
19 Aug 22
@sica98 won't it look bad for the guests, I wanted to say it but could not get the courage to say it.
1 person likes this
@shaggin (71663)
• United States
20 Aug 22
I think you did what you had to do. You couldn’t just call off work right then and risk getting fired or anything. Hopefully they understood.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325983)
• Rockingham, Australia
19 Aug 22
I would have done the same as you. It is a bit rude to come unexpectedly and maybe they couldn't help it but if you didn't know they were coming, then they should accept that you had to go to work.
1 person likes this
@sjvg1976 (41131)
• Delhi, India
3 Sep 22
That's true. I don't think they should mind it at all. Secondly, my cousin is retired from his services, he knows how the people who do jobs need to reach the office on time, so he must not be feeling bad.
1 person likes this
19 Aug 22
Is it normal in your culture for relatives or friends to just pay you a visit without graciously letting you know first, at least a week before?
2 people like this
@sjvg1976 (41131)
• Delhi, India
19 Aug 22
No, it's not a normal culture. They had some work here in my city so they planned to visit us.
1 person likes this
@Shivram59 (31877)
• India
20 Aug 22
@sjvg1976;We rarely have unexpected guests.
@CarolDM (203452)
• Nashville, Tennessee
24 Sep 22
I try to welcome them as best as I can.
1 person likes this
@sjvg1976 (41131)
• Delhi, India
25 Sep 22
I also try to do the same to my best.
1 person likes this
@Nakitakona (56302)
• Philippines
21 Aug 22
I have the same situation you have. I'm very sorry to leave them and report to work.
@Beestring (13341)
• Hong Kong
19 Aug 22
My friends or even family members usually call or text me before they come. If I were you, I would just be honest with the guests that you had to go to work.
1 person likes this
@cacay1 (83223)
• Cagayan De Oro, Philippines
19 Aug 22
@jefferson126, that's the right thing. It's not good to pretend.
1 person likes this
@PRUELPO (56)
• Cavite City, Philippines
20 Aug 22
That was a surprise visit. Me too, I don't like unexpected guests. However, it cannot be avoided to happen. It is better than an expected guest who did not show up - after spending much time in preparation for his visit...
@RebeccasFarm (86774)
• United States
19 Aug 22
Luckily no one comes here unexpected or expected.
@LadyDuck (458583)
• Switzerland
19 Aug 22
Listen, you did nothing wrong. They had to inform you in advance and (may be) you could have taken a day off work to stay with them. I hate when guests come before the date.
@cacay1 (83223)
• Cagayan De Oro, Philippines
19 Aug 22
Soon they will understand you're not on a leave of work and that you need to report. They should have told you they'll come on that day so you can file one day leave of absence. You can't compromise your work. Your wifey surely explained well to them.
@Kandae11 (53677)
19 Aug 22
I would have gone to work as usual , if someone as at home to greet them and explain my absence. They would realize that they were at fault and l could not be blamed.
@gtdoss (1013)
• United States
19 Aug 22
I don't think I've ever had unexpected guests, but if I did get some, I would probably go to work as if everything was normal. I mean, if they came to my home unexpectedly, which is a little rude (in my opinion), then they shouldn't expect me or my family to suddenly stop what we have to do.