I know this won't be an accurate "survey" just because we all have chronic health problems, but anyway:

Do people just "drop in" on each other the way they used to back in the old days? We used to have people stop by unexpectedly, and I remember going for rides and hearing Mom or Dad say, "Let's stop and visit so-and-so."

Maybe we're freaks, but we don't really like people just dropping in. Are there exceptions? Of course!! But as a rule, everybody and his dog has a cell phone these days...call and see if it's a good time! In our house, it's often not.

Or at least give us a heads' up so we can be a little more prepared!

I'm not having a very good day (not whining, just saying) and I'm in my nightclothes. Didn't our doorbell ring and I almost had a heart attack. Turned out to be a fellow wanting to leave us a leaflet, but still...he was unexpected, interupted our brunch, etc.

When my parents became elderly and in poor health, it would upset them terribly when someone (other than family) just dropped in. Now I understand why. Not that they weren't usually glad to see people, just wanted some advance notice!

**side note: Snow slides off the roof onto our deck, so before winter my husband ropes off the steps so that people will use the other door. I wonder what the leaflet guy thought as he was climbing over the ropes?

I totally agree with you, B2Y. I wouldn't dream of just dropping in on someone. But I can remember my Mom's friends doing it quite often and it never seemed to bother her.

I've put white electrical tape over my doorbell (on the front porch) and how many times do you think folks ring it and then tell me "hey, you've got tape over your doorbell". DUH! It's there so YOU won't ring it! It scares the cats, startles me and a knock does just as well. Don't ring the dadgum bell!

Totally agree with you B2Y. When I was a "mere youngster", I thought it was a wonderful thing to do.....pop in on someone unannounced......surprise!! Now it's seen from the other side. Some days are really horrible and I don't even feel like talking because of the pain. Other days I might be sleeping.......please call first!

I still like it when company pops in. It's not often that it happens. And, if I'm in my jammies or things aren't tidy, well I don't feel guilty as they're the ones that didn't give me a chance to tidy up myself and the house. On the flip side of it, I don't go to someone's house unannounced. I call before hand.

My Dad used to say "come back when you can't stay so long" when unannounced company would leave. Most of the time he was kidding......some of the time he wasn't!

I have never just dropped in on someone, I'm not comfortable doing so without calling first or setting up a time.

On the other hand I usually don't mind when someone just shows up, but it depends on who it is I was thrilled when a neighbor came to the door bringing fresh garden tomatoes and we spent sometime visiting.

I prefer if the doorbell is used, I will usually hear it better than someone who knocks. I have a fairly decent size house and depending on where I am and what I am doing I will not hear if someone is here unless the doorbell rings.

Even my best friend doesn't just drop in any more, without calling. A few times of standing on my porch waiting and my not being able to get up quickly and open the door, cured them..

If I'm expecting someone I leave the door unlocked for them. Since I've been home from the hospital, peeps have coming thru my door, like it was a revolving door.... DD has a key, so she sometimes drops in.

We get drop ins all the time, and like it. Most of our friends seem to time their drop in for breakfast on Saturdays or dinner on Sundays. We just set an extra place and say the more the merrier. I love to cook so it is nice to have a few extras. I never drop in on others though, I prefer to hang out in my castle.

I do live in the city, though, so everyone lives close by and it makes sense to stop in as you walk by someones house.

I have one of those doorbells that you put a battery in the part outside with the button and plug the other part in inside. Well, a few years back (right before my second baby was born thankfully) the battery in the outdoor part blew up, so obviously it doesn't work anymore. Well.. call me horrible, but I love it when someone knocks on my door and when I answer it they say, "I've been ringing the doorbell for a while and it doesn't seem to be working". Well.... du-uh, obviously you aren't someone who belongs here! If you were you would know that.

Most people who come to see me know that you give a quick knock as you open the door and come in. Heck the UPS guy even knows that if he doesn't see my husbands truck at home, he delivers the package to him at work so that I don't have to worry about it. He knows my health isn't good.

Some people I want a weeks notice so I can have the house deep-cleaned for them. Others are welcome to drop in any time.

Hmmm.... I see your point. Maybe if you answered the door without your jammies on they would call ahead they next time! What? You don't like my idea? Fine.