How does your country, socially, look upon the idea of people (that you don't know particularly well) just "dropping by"?
I had absolutely no plans to go out today, so I'm dressed in rags, really. My hair is unwashed. I was in the middle of doing laundry and eating supper when the doorbell rang. Needless to say, I had unexpected guests. These weren't good friends, but acquaintances.
I tried to be as nice as I could -- my warmed-up supper that just had two bites is now trash. However, I did excuse myself when the buzzer on the clothes dryer buzzed. If I didn't hang up a few things, they would be horribly wrinkled.
However, although the people were generally nice in personality, I felt their behavior was exceedingly rude. I was not expecting company (and almost didn't answer the door, but unfortunately, it was quite apparent that I was home) and did not appreciate the pressure to invite them in. If they were just riding bikes and really needed a drink of water or to use the restroom, that would be totally different. However, they just wanted to "chat."
I think that, very generally, in the United States, unless you know for a fact that someone doesn't mind you dropping by unexpectedly, it's considered rude to do so. Of course, not everyone feels the same way, but as a general rule, I think it's probably fair to say that.
I'm just curious what the "drop-by" custom is for other countries.
I had absolutely no plans to go out today, so I'm dressed in rags, really. My hair is unwashed. I was in the middle of doing laundry and eating supper when the doorbell rang. Needless to say, I had unexpected guests. These weren't good friends, but acquaintances.
I tried to be as nice as I could -- my warmed-up supper that just had two bites is now trash. However, I did excuse myself when the buzzer on the clothes dryer buzzed. If I didn't hang up a few things, they would be horribly wrinkled.
However, although the people were generally nice in personality, I felt their behavior was exceedingly rude. I was not expecting company (and almost didn't answer the door, but unfortunately, it was quite apparent that I was home) and did not appreciate the pressure to invite them in. If they were just riding bikes and really needed a drink of water or to use the restroom, that would be totally different. However, they just wanted to "chat."
I think that, very generally, in the United States, unless you know for a fact that someone doesn't mind you dropping by unexpectedly, it's considered rude to do so. Of course, not everyone feels the same way, but as a general rule, I think it's probably fair to say that.
I'm just curious what the "drop-by" custom is for other countries.