People who overstay their welcome really, really wind me up. Just yesterday I was looking forward to an afternoon to myself after a busy, stressful week when one of my friends arrived, unannounced. It was just after 2pm. She left just before 6pm. In those four hours she talked non stop about her, her family, her friends, her house move, her younger son’s illness, her husband’s illness. I am genuinely sympathetic as I know she has a lot to deal with right now, so I did try to be supportive. In fact I could have rattled on about the weather or told her I didn’t give a damn because, as often happens, she didn’t have her hearing aids in. By the time she left I was completely drained and had a banging headache. My first port of call was the medicine cupboard for a couple of paracetamol.
If she had just stayed a couple of hours I could have handled it so much better.
I know this is my issue: I live peacefully alone with my cat. I am not comfortable in social situations and get unsettled if I have to be in company (apart from close family) for more than a couple of hours. But this friend has known me for a long time and is aware of this.
I have a hairdresser who does much the same, though at least I know she is coming. She too stays for far longer than she should. My dtr says I am a good listener. Actually I can barely get a word in. And I try to be polite.
Maybe I will not be so welcoming next time. Or perhaps I just won’t open the door. But can I be so rude?