On New Year's Day, my uncle made a surprise visit to our house. Even though we were all home, none of us opened the door. I guess it's just because he never really came and visited us when we needed help. We've just kind of been avoiding him.

I wish I could do this with my father-in-law. If I am alone at home, I will - I will not open the door. He can be rather persistent when he wants something: he'll call our cell phone, then if no one answers he'll call our land line, and then, if we don't answer that, the door bell might ring pretty soon.

I don't have any relatives that live nearby, so I don't have to avoid anyone. But I have a tendency to ignore anyone who will ring my doorbell, unless I am expecting a visit.

Yes, I don't like unannounced visits, either. What if I've just taken a bath and look unpresentable, with my hair undone and all?? I'm not opening the door like that, sorry.

This is also what I hate most of the time. My relatives aren't really persistent in visiting us but my hubby's relatives are annoying. They're too many and always freeloading at our place, they visit us like every holliday bringing all their kids. >.>I don't hate kids that much since I have younger brothers too but it's annoying how his nieces takes over our pc, tv and even our psp.

Oh reira, I have no idea how you deal with this... I'd go mad. Do they come even without invitation?

I'd probably lock myself up in a separate room until they are gone.

I do something quite similar to that, Lissy. When my relatives come by--my uncle has a very loud truck--I just run upstairs and expect other people to open the door even though I know they won't.

You know, what amazes me most is how some of those people just either don't get the message or do not care. We have told one such relative that we were busy (and we really were), yet he'll keep trying, always looking to freeload off of us or get my husband do something for him. Argh.