Well hello. I'm not even going to ask how we all are because I'm in a mood. I'm feeling a bit touchy. To add to this I've just seen my Typepad account has been spammed with weird comments. Ugh I hate technology some days.
I am writing this to clarify an issue I have with living in New Zealand because everyone seems to think I'm a bit of a crotchety uptight old lady. Part of that might be true. But I have reasons for being crotchety and uptight. I can't help being old. It's in my soul.
As I have mentioned previously, it is quite common for Kiwis to just "drop by" over the weekend if they want to catch up with friends, family, pets, whatever. And I've gotten a lot of flack for being quite vocal about not liking it. "But it's because people like you that they stop byyyyyy..." That's great. I'm happy to catch up with people. IF I FUCKING KNOW ABOUT IT and have time to a) put on some clothes b) clean my tearstained face and blow my nose c) hide all my laundry in the closet and d) turn off the tv and open the curtains so I look like I'm actually doing something with my weekend. I really don't think this is too much to ask.
To better illustrate this, I have a concrete example to share to further demonstrate why people cannot drop by my house unannounced.
A few weekends ago, Shane and I were having our usual lazy Sunday lay-in. It's our one day where we don't get up early, and usually don't do much at all until after about noon. I love Sundays for this very reason. This particular Sunday, I could have done without. So Shane thinks he hears something outside and ambles to the kitchen to have a look out the window. And he's naked. And he is looking out the window and calls to me that there is someone on a motorcycle outside our house. And then I hear all sorts of shouting and swearing from Shane and a big OH. MY. GOD. So I jump out of bed (sans clothes) to see what's going on.
For whatever reason, our beloved dog Olive had decided to take a huge dump in the kitchen and Shane has stepped right in it. Hence the ohmygods and fuck fuck fucks. The whole house starts to smell of dog shit.
And of course, it is just at this very moment, there is a knock on the door. Shane and I look at eachother in absolute horror. I starts hobbling towards the bathroom while I'm left to contemplate hiding, grabbing a robe or cleaning up this awful smelling dog poo.
I decide to grab a robe. And answer the door. Because whoever is coming over unannounced is going to get a good whiff of why it is better to call before coming by. It turned out to be one of Shane's long lost high school friends who he hasn't seen in like 10 years. And it is here where they have their reunion, in a shit smelly kitchen with me, my hair standing up on top of my head, in a bathrobe, cleaning up my dog's accident. He hasn't been back since.
And I think I've proved by point.
You neither crotchety nor uptight, darling ! You pooped in a tupperware for heavens’ sake! lol You have every reason to feel annoyed. People who just come by unexpectedly are so annoying and I completely stand by your willingness to voice it. It’s not you who are uptight, it’s the those who just pop in who have a complete lack of good manners. They take for granted that you are going to stop everything you are doing to welcome them. One should call beforehand to find out 1) if you are going to be there and 2) if you are in the mood to have a guest. Actually, I find that you have been way too nice (again). I don’t care if it’s your husband’s long lost friend or even the Queen of England. In your shoes, I would merely tell them “I’m sorry, I like you but I cannot see you right now. This is a bad time. Next time, please call beforehand to check if we can see you otherwise you are just gonna do the journey for nothing. See you!” and I would close the door. There is nothing wrong with that and believe me, they would not try it twice if they are not completely stupid. If they did, I would then tell them to just piss off! ;) As I said before, there is no sign on your door saying “free peep show, please come in!” And I don’t care how mellow or Hobbit-friendly kiwis are.
Posted by: Olivier | February 24, 2012 at 01:36 AM
Typo correction: in line 4, it should read "it's those who...", of course. You see, I can do them too. ;)
Posted by: Olivier | February 24, 2012 at 01:40 AM