>1. Check the rules: Please take a moment to review our rules, Reddiquette, and Reddit’s Content Policy.
>2. Clear question in the title: Make sure your question is clear and placed in the title. You can add details in the body of your post, but please keep it under 600 characters.
>3. Closed-Ended Questions Only: Questions should be closed-ended, meaning they can be answered with a clear, factual response. Avoid questions that ask for opinions instead of facts.
>4. Be Polite and Civil: Personal attacks, harassment, or inflammatory behavior will be removed. Repeated offenses may result in a ban. Any homophobic, transphobic, racist, sexist, or bigoted remarks will result in an immediate ban.
>1. Medical or pharmaceutical questions
>2. Legal or legality-related questions
>3. Technical/meta questions (help with Reddit)
This list is not exhaustive, so we recommend reviewing the full rules for more details on content limits.
✓ Mark your answers!
>If your question has been answered, please reply with Answered!! to the response that best fit your question. This helps the community stay organized and focused on providing useful answers.
Depends on our friendship level – been friends for awhile, walk on in, you know it’s unlocked, yell out on your way up! Close friends, yeah show up but do knock. Aquaintances – uhh, please text before. New friends? Nah, that’s just weird.
Going door to door for Girl Scout cookies or something is fine.
Dropping by to visit? I used to be forgiving about it, then had a few bad experiences. Now I am absolutely against it. Call ahead and ask if it’s a good day, and PLEASE actually listen to my answer.
Actually hate it. We moved back to our small hometown after we retired. The most negative thing about being back was that people would just randomly stop by. We lived in a larger town before that and drop-ins NEVER happened. One time my SIL stopped by unannounced with a couple of her friends to “show them our house.” I was in the shower when they arrived and I was NOT happy. So we went from a city of about 200,000, to a town of about 5,000 and now we live in an area with millions of people … and no more unannounced visitors!
Anyone else old enough to remember when you would just walk down the block and knock on your buddy’s door and ask his mom if he’s around? Jesus fucking christ we are so doomed. “I don’t like when my neighbors bake me a pie and show up unannounced at my door to present it to me because I was in the middle of vacuuming!”
🤦🤦🤦 Just don’t answer the door, Mr. Hughes.
Nobody does that to us. Even when we were living in the same country, everybody knew to check first. And now even deliveries send a notification first.
if they show up unannounced and it isnt an emergency, they dont get let in.
i have friends who are dating people in my neighborhood, and i told them and their partners that in an emergency our door is open. theyve never taken advantage of that. if they ever do, the offer will be rescinded.
I don’t mind if my kids don’t have school the next day. We all know how much we have to rush to do everything in the evening, everyday life, and make time for the children to go to sleep.
Also…kinda interesting. Because in the olden days, I don’t think we did that. Because if the person isn’t home when you show up…well…it’s not like you can just pull a phone out of your pocket and call or text, because their phone is right on the other side of that door, and texting isn’t even a thing, and you have no idea where they are or when they’ll be back. Whereas today there’s this expectation that you’re always there to open the door, and are reachable 24/7.
It’s funny as a kid in the 90s I constantly remembering people showing up… and now as an adult I don’t think I’ve ever had someone do this.. maybe I just don’t have that many friends
It annoys me. Even more that I live in a multi story house and I have to run all the way down to answer the door. Usually just the neighbor kids wanting my kids to come out and play, but my kids are too busy on their electronic games to stop and answer the door… so if I answer it.. they are going outside because I’m shutting off the internet.
I hate it so much that I have Private Property and No Trespassing signs down my dirt driveway leading to my house. Absolutely no showing up unannounced unless it’s my kids who can come here anytime they want, no invitation needed.
There’s very few people I actually like enough to have over and even with the ones I do, I want to look appropriate if they show up so I appreciate a heads up. My small circle is welcome any time, but it’s nice to have a heads up so I can at least brush my hair or something lol
They will be met with hostility. Unless it’s some major emergency. Everyone I know, even elderly family members, have cell phones and know how to use them.
Asking first and getting confirmation that it’s okay to do so, is the only way to go. I do not like company being forced on me. I automatically assume someone randomly showing up like that, doesn’t have good intentions. They will NOT be greeted warmly. I may not even answer the door at all.
It depends. If it’s my neighbor coming over to ask for help or a favor, I don’t mind. But I do mind when it’s a “Karen” type neighbor bugging me for asinine reasons. Fortunately, I do not have. I did have a “Karen” type neighbor about thirty years ago who kept bugging me every hour on the hour for the most asinine things. At there is a story behind that…
My friends can come on by. I don’t mind at all. They might have to sit around while I do chores, but I have an open door policy with my friends. If 20 min with someone/being out of their house is going to save their day/life, it is no inconvenience to me.
I might not have a meal ready, I might not have a clean house, I might not have my hair and make up done, but at the end of the day, that’s not what my friends expect. They expect someone who will lighten their load, someone who will listen, someone who will share a laugh, etc. I never know what kind of day my friends are having, so if they feel like they need to be at my house for whatever reason, they are more than welcome, day or night.
I still remember when my MIL did that once. We had just moved into a new house, my SO had a friend stop by and then they were going to go do some work at the friend’s house. My MIL called (our land line – this was about 18 years ago) while we were talking with friend, and we didn’t pick up. We chat with friend a few more minutes, and SO and friend leave. About 20 minutes later, MIL is at the door.
Who TF calls someone, gets the answering machine, and hops in the car and goes anyway?
I absolutely loathe it and do not tolerate it. I could be sleeping, in the shower, chilling without pants on, enjoying some self care, having sex, etc. No one likes being caught off guard in their own home.
The neighbor kids do it all the time. We’re empty nest people but the young kids keep knocking, mostly to visit our garden. But no adults would ever just pop by.
Like a visitor? Who wants to come into my house? Hell no.
I realized the other day that I’ve been in this house for five years and I’ve never had company. The only people have been tradespeople for renos, etc.
If I haven’t invited guests I sure wouldn’t want surprise guests. I honestly don’t know what I’d do. Stand in the doorway and stare incredulously, I guess.
Only my brother gets to show up at my door unannounced. Mostly because he lives three doors away and is perfectly fine being told to “fuck off home, I’m busy”.
I ask for a few days warning. Even from family. I don’t give a fuck. The only exception is my mom because we specifically chose to be neighbors so we could help each other because we’re both chronically ill.
I will otherwise just tell people they’re not coming inside. This is my home. You don’t get to visit when you want, you get to visit when I want you to. Yay being an adult.
I generally do not answer the door to uninvited guests. Unless I know you’re coming, I’m probably not answering the door. You know that song by Men At Work… It’s me period go away don’t come around here no more
A feral neighborhood child just showed up at my front door as I was typing out my response, as if sent by the devil himself.
It’s the worst. My mom loves to pop by in the middle of my workday and judge me for not having a spotless house. Love you, Mom, but would it kill you to send me a text first?
Totally depends. Do I like these people? Also, hard yes for any missionaries. No one else wants to talk about theology with me, and these folks just walk up asking all the right questions.
We call it “OC Rules” because on the OC the friends would just show up. I think it’s totally fine as long as the person showing up isn’t offended when you’re like, sorry can’t hang
I’m fine with it. Anyone who I’m close enough with to randomly show up at my door knows me well enough that if I’m having a bad day and can’t handle company. They’d be cool with me saying sorry, it’s not a good time right now, but I’ll see you tomorrow if that’s okay?
It happens often in my home… But if I’m being honest a text or call would make me so much happier. I like my home to be kept up especially if company is here, so a heads up would be nice.
Comments
📣 Reminder for our users
>1. Check the rules: Please take a moment to review our rules, Reddiquette, and Reddit’s Content Policy.
>2. Clear question in the title: Make sure your question is clear and placed in the title. You can add details in the body of your post, but please keep it under 600 characters.
>3. Closed-Ended Questions Only: Questions should be closed-ended, meaning they can be answered with a clear, factual response. Avoid questions that ask for opinions instead of facts.
>4. Be Polite and Civil: Personal attacks, harassment, or inflammatory behavior will be removed. Repeated offenses may result in a ban. Any homophobic, transphobic, racist, sexist, or bigoted remarks will result in an immediate ban.
🚫 Commonly Asked Prohibited Question Subjects:
>1. Medical or pharmaceutical questions
>2. Legal or legality-related questions
>3. Technical/meta questions (help with Reddit)
This list is not exhaustive, so we recommend reviewing the full rules for more details on content limits.
✓ Mark your answers!
>If your question has been answered, please reply with
Answered!!
to the response that best fit your question. This helps the community stay organized and focused on providing useful answers.I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.
Since I’m usually just sitting around in my underwear, it’s mostly on them.
I dont mind but it was very normal for me growing up
Don’t like it.
Please call ahead. It’s all I ask. You don’t need to make “plans”, but just let me know.
I could be balls deep in someone. Or wanking. Or just chilling in my underwear watching a movie. Or in the shower.
There’s a hundred everyday reasons to just call ahead.
Depends. If you’re close, it’s pretty normal. Brand new friends? Abit of a problem.
Like Mormons and fly-by-night solar panel salesmen? I could do without either.
I absolutely hate it.
The only person (thankfully) that ever does it is my father-in-law. He’s a good dude, so I let it slide.
I fucking hate, it’s rude.
Depends on our friendship level – been friends for awhile, walk on in, you know it’s unlocked, yell out on your way up! Close friends, yeah show up but do knock. Aquaintances – uhh, please text before. New friends? Nah, that’s just weird.
Going door to door for Girl Scout cookies or something is fine.
Dropping by to visit? I used to be forgiving about it, then had a few bad experiences. Now I am absolutely against it. Call ahead and ask if it’s a good day, and PLEASE actually listen to my answer.
Absolutely hate it. I can’t stand surprises. Stuff like that needs to be planned well in advance.
And door-to-door sales should be illegal. Stop harassing me at my home and trying to advertise to me
Not great. Not great at all.
If you knock at my door without warning youre unlikely to get a response tbh.
Nope.
Actually hate it. We moved back to our small hometown after we retired. The most negative thing about being back was that people would just randomly stop by. We lived in a larger town before that and drop-ins NEVER happened. One time my SIL stopped by unannounced with a couple of her friends to “show them our house.” I was in the shower when they arrived and I was NOT happy. So we went from a city of about 200,000, to a town of about 5,000 and now we live in an area with millions of people … and no more unannounced visitors!
Anyone else old enough to remember when you would just walk down the block and knock on your buddy’s door and ask his mom if he’s around? Jesus fucking christ we are so doomed. “I don’t like when my neighbors bake me a pie and show up unannounced at my door to present it to me because I was in the middle of vacuuming!”
🤦🤦🤦 Just don’t answer the door, Mr. Hughes.
It’s unpleasant and would strike me as weird. I need to have a heads up at least lol
Don’t like it. I need to “mentally prepare” for people.
Did they bring pizza? If so, come on in. If not, come back when you have pizza.
I couldn’t imagine just showing up at someone house. What if they’re busy?
Don’t do dat
I don’t mind it but the scatter gun doesn’t.
Nobody does that to us. Even when we were living in the same country, everybody knew to check first. And now even deliveries send a notification first.
I am an adult, and i reserve the right not to answer my door.
Last was later day saints or the jojo
I told them they were at the wrong house as am an atheist and to move along.
They did.
if they show up unannounced and it isnt an emergency, they dont get let in.
i have friends who are dating people in my neighborhood, and i told them and their partners that in an emergency our door is open. theyve never taken advantage of that. if they ever do, the offer will be rescinded.
Tired. Of digging so many holes in my backyard.
I hate it. My house can get messy and I need a 30 min warning to tornado thru and put everything away.
The people in my life know to never: of I don’t know you’re coming, I won’t answer the door.
I don’t have relationships with drop in visitors.
Totally disrespectful
No one I care to open the door for would ever think about doing this.
I do not like it.
I hate it with a fucking passion.
I don’t mind if my kids don’t have school the next day. We all know how much we have to rush to do everything in the evening, everyday life, and make time for the children to go to sleep.
Depends on who it is
I don’t open the door to anyone I’m not expecting, so not an issue. Presumptuous AF though.
They will knock for a moving silhouette until they leave.
If you show up unannounced, I’m not answering the door.
Tf outta here
Completely unacceptable.
Also…kinda interesting. Because in the olden days, I don’t think we did that. Because if the person isn’t home when you show up…well…it’s not like you can just pull a phone out of your pocket and call or text, because their phone is right on the other side of that door, and texting isn’t even a thing, and you have no idea where they are or when they’ll be back. Whereas today there’s this expectation that you’re always there to open the door, and are reachable 24/7.
It’s funny as a kid in the 90s I constantly remembering people showing up… and now as an adult I don’t think I’ve ever had someone do this.. maybe I just don’t have that many friends
No, just no. That scene in the hobbit where Bilbo sits down for dinner and his face drops when he hears a knock at the door, that.
I ain’t opening the door
unless theyre neighbors, only a few people can do that. I dont mind when my neighbors come to the door because why not
Not ok, tell me if you’re coming.
It annoys me. Even more that I live in a multi story house and I have to run all the way down to answer the door. Usually just the neighbor kids wanting my kids to come out and play, but my kids are too busy on their electronic games to stop and answer the door… so if I answer it.. they are going outside because I’m shutting off the internet.
Warra warra. (Means “go away” in aboriginal)
Drives me up the goddamn wall.
I will not answer my door unless I am expecting someone. You can stand out there and knock until I leave for work the next day.
I hate it so much that I have Private Property and No Trespassing signs down my dirt driveway leading to my house. Absolutely no showing up unannounced unless it’s my kids who can come here anytime they want, no invitation needed.
Hate it. My dog does too.
There’s very few people I actually like enough to have over and even with the ones I do, I want to look appropriate if they show up so I appreciate a heads up. My small circle is welcome any time, but it’s nice to have a heads up so I can at least brush my hair or something lol
Ick. I hide.
Dear Abby said an unexpected guest is an unwanted guest
I don’t answer the door if I am not expecting someone.
No. That’s a no thank you!
They will be met with hostility. Unless it’s some major emergency. Everyone I know, even elderly family members, have cell phones and know how to use them.
Asking first and getting confirmation that it’s okay to do so, is the only way to go. I do not like company being forced on me. I automatically assume someone randomly showing up like that, doesn’t have good intentions. They will NOT be greeted warmly. I may not even answer the door at all.
Feel sorry for them, waiting there by the front door. I hope it’s not cold out…
In the world of cell phones, it’s kinda messed up. I don’t think it’s happened to me in years actually. But just send a text at least.
I would hate it unless it’s an absolute emergency… or like the long lost love of my life or something.
Nope. I love having people stop in, but give me a chance to put myself together and do a couple tasks first. Just let me know ahead of time.
Hate the pop-in. Hate it.
Not a great idea! This day and time you might be staring down the wrong end of a barrel!
Everyone brings pleasure to my door.
Some when they arrive, some when they leave.
My choice.
Yeah, don’t do that.
It depends. If it’s my neighbor coming over to ask for help or a favor, I don’t mind. But I do mind when it’s a “Karen” type neighbor bugging me for asinine reasons. Fortunately, I do not have. I did have a “Karen” type neighbor about thirty years ago who kept bugging me every hour on the hour for the most asinine things. At there is a story behind that…
Depends on the people dropping by. My kids are always welcome no matter the time. My siblings are welcome at normal times.
People still do that?!?! When I see that in a movie or TV show I’m like, what year is this supposed to be?!?!
I love it. It means someone wants to see me and cares about me.
My friends can come on by. I don’t mind at all. They might have to sit around while I do chores, but I have an open door policy with my friends. If 20 min with someone/being out of their house is going to save their day/life, it is no inconvenience to me.
I might not have a meal ready, I might not have a clean house, I might not have my hair and make up done, but at the end of the day, that’s not what my friends expect. They expect someone who will lighten their load, someone who will listen, someone who will share a laugh, etc. I never know what kind of day my friends are having, so if they feel like they need to be at my house for whatever reason, they are more than welcome, day or night.
I hate it.
I don’t really care. It’s their right to come. Just like the usual socializing in the old days.
But it’s also my right if I decide not to answer the door, or to cut their visit short for any reason. 🤷♂️
absolutely hate it. I spend all day out and about and easy to bother, and expect to be less so when I go home.
I can’t like it.
I don’t mind usually
I can’t stand it.
I still remember when my MIL did that once. We had just moved into a new house, my SO had a friend stop by and then they were going to go do some work at the friend’s house. My MIL called (our land line – this was about 18 years ago) while we were talking with friend, and we didn’t pick up. We chat with friend a few more minutes, and SO and friend leave. About 20 minutes later, MIL is at the door.
Who TF calls someone, gets the answering machine, and hops in the car and goes anyway?
Yeah, it’s rude.
Unacceptable
It’s cool, I’m used to it, I’ve had like the “revolving-door party house” at every stage of my life.
I absolutely loathe it and do not tolerate it. I could be sleeping, in the shower, chilling without pants on, enjoying some self care, having sex, etc. No one likes being caught off guard in their own home.
I likely won’t answer the door
The neighbor kids do it all the time. We’re empty nest people but the young kids keep knocking, mostly to visit our garden. But no adults would ever just pop by.
Like a visitor? Who wants to come into my house? Hell no.
I realized the other day that I’ve been in this house for five years and I’ve never had company. The only people have been tradespeople for renos, etc.
If I haven’t invited guests I sure wouldn’t want surprise guests. I honestly don’t know what I’d do. Stand in the doorway and stare incredulously, I guess.
Don’t.
It doesn’t bother me if they are people I know. If I’m busy, I’ll tell them. If I’m available, we can hang out for a bit.
No good
Hate the pop in.
Only my brother gets to show up at my door unannounced. Mostly because he lives three doors away and is perfectly fine being told to “fuck off home, I’m busy”.
Unless it’s a genuine emergency, pls just text or something first
I don’t appreciate it personally
My mom did it a couple times when I lived in my first apartment, I don’t really care for uninvited guests
Don’t.
I ask for a few days warning. Even from family. I don’t give a fuck. The only exception is my mom because we specifically chose to be neighbors so we could help each other because we’re both chronically ill.
I will otherwise just tell people they’re not coming inside. This is my home. You don’t get to visit when you want, you get to visit when I want you to. Yay being an adult.
I miss it, growing up it always used to happen and I’d be having the time of my life. Nowadays, it never happens.
That’s a no for me, & the door would not get answered
I generally do not answer the door to uninvited guests. Unless I know you’re coming, I’m probably not answering the door. You know that song by Men At Work… It’s me period go away don’t come around here no more
A feral neighborhood child just showed up at my front door as I was typing out my response, as if sent by the devil himself.
It’s the worst. My mom loves to pop by in the middle of my workday and judge me for not having a spotless house. Love you, Mom, but would it kill you to send me a text first?
I don’t mind people doing it now and then. It’s annoying if people do it too often.
My work schedule is all over the place, my house is a mess, and I like to make sure I have food and drinks ready for my guests.
It’s great.
Why? Are you planning something?
Totally depends. Do I like these people? Also, hard yes for any missionaries. No one else wants to talk about theology with me, and these folks just walk up asking all the right questions.
Nope. I need to be mentally prepared for any social engagement.
Absolutely not. So rude
We call it “OC Rules” because on the OC the friends would just show up. I think it’s totally fine as long as the person showing up isn’t offended when you’re like, sorry can’t hang
No
Hate it! I would never do that to someone.
Very strongly against it
Just depends on what time it is
Im autistic so that would stress me out
They usually call me after I don’t answer the door….
Please don’t.
I don’t do it and I don’t want it done to me
Dont like it, depending on who it is, I ignore
I need 6 months notice
It is definitely not done by polite people. I don’t care who you are. This is my space. If I want you here I will invite you.
Depends on what I’m doing, and how long they plan on staying.
I’m fine with it. Anyone who I’m close enough with to randomly show up at my door knows me well enough that if I’m having a bad day and can’t handle company. They’d be cool with me saying sorry, it’s not a good time right now, but I’ll see you tomorrow if that’s okay?
It happens often in my home… But if I’m being honest a text or call would make me so much happier. I like my home to be kept up especially if company is here, so a heads up would be nice.
I don’t like it! Call first