Do you allow folks to just drop by your house with little to no prior notice?

I received a text this morning [8am] from someone I used to be good friends with, informing me that she's visiting a relative "around the corner" from me. She asked if I 'have time to chat' before she goes to pickup a friend at the airport.

We only communicate via text on major holidays and birthdays, since she moved to Florida 10 years ago [I'm in MD]. Therefore, I didn't know she was in town.

I have no desire to interact further so I just told her now is not a good time, and that I had other plans.

Is your place open to all visitors at any time?

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ArishMell · 70-79, M

It can be inconvenient but it happens so infrequently it does not bother me too much.

Besides, how do you ban anyone from doing so, as the question implies doing?

The most likely unannounced visitors are my sisters, who don't live far away, and they are welcome.

DreamyCrush · F

@ArishMell If they just show up unannounced, I won't answer the door.

If I did not invite them and they text that they're "in the neighborhood", I will decline the visit, as I am rarely in the mood for company.

ArishMell · 70-79, M

@DreamyCrush The only type I don't want are door-to-door evangelists, charity representatives and sales-people, but such callers are rare now.

They are normally easy to get rid of, but I do so politely.

I've had two or three attempts by local Jehovah's Witnesses, who are a bit peeved when I call theirs a "cult", but I am not nasty to them personally. I was stopped recently in the street by two young men representing some fringe church - I simply said "No thank you" and walked on.

I don't receive "in the neighbourhood" texts but that phrase commonly refers to "surveyors" in landline 'phone calls from firms trying to sell loft insulation, usually referring to imaginary "surveys" or "records", or "government grants".

The biggest hazard are fly-by-night, cash-in-hand "tradesmen" calling to try to trick you into paying a lot of money for building work you don't need or want, and they would probably carry out to a poor standard anyway.

My sisters are different. They are welcome and don't call very often anyway even though we live within walking distances of each other. Usually either will ring me first anyway.