Please don't come over unannounced.

TRANSCRIPT
Hello everyone, and welcome to Elsewhere with G. My name is Guyomar, and today I’d like to tell you about the places that unexpected guests take us. I haven’t had an unexpected guest for a long time. Usually, nobody comes here because I don’t give out my address very easily and so it was a bit of a surprise this morning when somebody rang the doorbell much earlier than expected, and showed up at our front door. It took me back to when I was growing up, and relatives would just turn up at our doorstep. Well, they’d walk into the garden, and then, even if we were busy, they would hang around near the door, just wait until somebody answered. Then, they’d make themselves at home, stay several hours for tea…you just couldn’t get rid of them even if you had other things to do. It’s been a long time since somebody just dropped in as if they think you’re just going to be there and available, with nothing else to do. Honestly, I don’t miss that kind of culture at all. I didn’t like the fact that people would startle you and show up unannounced, without giving any warning whatsoever. The thing I liked the least was the assumption that you were just going to be available for them, and that they lingered, that they stayed much longer than they should have, instead of being quick, instead of just being considerate, and not putting you in the awkward position of having to shoo them away. I don’t what it’s like in your culture – do people just show up unexpected at friends’ houses, at relatives’ houses, or do people try to plan in advance, be considerate of other people’s time? Are they aware that there are other commitments the person may have, or that maybe they don’t want to be disturbed that day? Maybe they’re taking care of things around the house. Maybe things aren’t ready, in a presentable state for visitors and see, and it’s embarrassing when somebody just comes over. Then it’s a stress for you to have to play host when you weren’t prepared for that.

Anyway, I’m curious to hear your perspectives on this topic. Thank you.

Unexpected guests (click here for the transcript)

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