When someone unexpectedly shows up at your door, it can be a bit of an unwelcome surprise. Not only is it inconvenient, but it can also make you feel uncomfortable or stressed out. While it may not be possible to avoid unannounced visitors entirely, there are ways to manage the situation and make it less disruptive. 

In this write-up, we'll explore seven tips for dealing with people who visit without warning. By following these strategies, you can ensure that your unexpected guests don't throw a wrench into your day.

1) Establish ground rules with your family and friends

It is important to set ground rules with your family and friends regarding unexpected visitors. Explain to them that while you appreciate them dropping by, it is necessary to give a heads-up when they are going to show up at your home. 

This will help you to be better prepared for their arrival and have time to make sure the house is clean and tidy. It will help you to manage your time and daily schedule more efficiently. 

It can also be helpful to let your family and friends know what days and times are better for them to visit. If you have specific rules that need to be followed, such as taking off shoes or not using certain parts of the house, make sure to communicate those rules as well.

2) Keep your cool

When unexpected visitors arrive without notice, it can be easy to let your emotions get the better of you. This is especially true if you’re feeling overwhelmed or pressed for time. However, it’s important to remember that keeping your cool is the best way to handle these situations.

First and foremost, take a few deep breaths and give yourself some time to process what’s happening. This will help you stay calm and collected and will allow you to think more clearly about how to handle the situation. If the unexpected visitors are family or friends, try to keep in mind that they’re likely just as surprised and uncomfortable as you are. Keeping your cool will also help to prevent any further awkwardness or tension.

It’s also helpful to remember that in most cases, these visitors didn’t come with the intention of causing disruption. If you can approach the situation from this angle, it can help to diffuse some of the stress and discomfort. Being friendly and polite may also encourage them to leave more quickly than if you were to react negatively.

3) Give them a task

When uninvited guests arrive, one of the best ways to handle them is to give them a task. This helps to distract them from their visit and gives you time to think about how to handle the situation. You can assign tasks such as setting the table for dinner, helping with a household chore, or playing a game. This can also help your guests feel welcome and included in your home. You can even assign tasks to children if you have them, such as picking up their toys or helping with a craft project. If the task takes a bit of time to complete, it can help buy you some time so that you can come up with a plan for politely asking them to leave.

4) Set a time limit

If you find yourself in a situation where someone has come to visit without giving you advance notice, it is important to set a time limit. This will ensure that the person knows you are busy and will also give them a better idea of when they should plan their next visit. 

When setting a time limit, make sure to be as firm but polite as possible. Let the visitor know the exact amount of time they have and tell them that you have other commitments and must stick to the allotted time. Make sure to give them a few extra minutes so that they can say their goodbyes without feeling rushed. 

If the person insists on staying longer than the allotted time, be assertive and explain that you have to honor your other commitments. You can also offer to meet them for lunch or coffee at another time if they wish to continue the conversation. 

By setting a time limit, you will be able to show the person respect while also taking control of the situation. This will help make sure that future visits are planned in advance, which can make hosting guests much easier.

5) Make an excuse to leave

Making an excuse to leave is a great way to handle visitors who come without notice. It's a polite and considerate way of managing their presence. There are a few things to keep in mind when making an excuse to leave. 

First, make sure your excuse is reasonable. You don't want to tell them something that will be too far-fetched and unrealistic. For example, don't tell them you have to go somewhere urgent if they just arrived. 

Second, try to sound busy. If you have other tasks to do, make sure they know it. Show them that you have other responsibilities that you need to attend to. This way, they will understand why you have to leave and won't feel insulted by your excuse. 

6) Be assertive

It’s important to remember that you have the right to set boundaries in your own home. If visitors are arriving without notice, it’s ok to be firm with them. Let them know that while you’re happy to see them, they need to make sure they give you some advance warning next time. Let them know how their unexpected visit has disrupted your schedule and express your feelings without being aggressive or rude. Remain calm and let them know that while you appreciate them coming, you would prefer if they had given you some notice first. Make sure to thank them for understanding.

7) Politely ask them to leave

Asking someone to leave can be one of the most difficult tasks to handle. It is important to remain calm and polite, even if the person refuses to leave. If you need to be direct, you should calmly say something like “I understand that you’ve had a great visit, but I think it’s time for you to go.” 

Alternatively, you could ask them a question like “When do you think you’ll be leaving?” This will give them the opportunity to take the lead in the situation, rather than you having to be the one to set the terms. Depending on the situation, you could offer an alternative plan such as suggesting that they come back another time or have you over for dinner. 

It's important to remember that your guests have their own lives and needs and that it's not always easy for them to leave. Be respectful of their feelings and be understanding if they don't accept your request immediately.