Community Chat

[Hoovermom]

An old joke/saying I heard when growing up was:  "we better go to bed so these follks can go home" LOL.

[Yardlie]

@Mellie32 ... I am usually very cautious about not overstaying my welcome.

A few years ago, a friend who lived about 30 minutes a way was in town visiting her mother. She always came on weekends to help clean her mother's house. She called up about 2:00 pm and invited me over for "tea and talk." I knew her mother very well also as we were in a writing class together.

I went over, and we sat in the kitchen talking and having a cup of tea for about 30 minutes. All of a sudden, she popped up and said, "Well, I have to leave. I've got to work tomorrow." I picked up my purse and planned to leave also. Her mother put her hand on mine and told me to stay and have another cup of tea.

After her daughter left, her mother apologized for her actions and said what I already knew...that "Mary" can be very rude..."but she doesn't mean to be." I already knew what Mary was like (very self-centered), but that incident makes me even more cautious about not overstaying my welcome.

[MyShadowLove]

Most of our family and friends tend to be "loiterers", as my husband and I are also...

So, we just enjoy the day or night together and there isn't really any particular "timing" as to when one leaves...But, once a departure starts, then others will usually follow shortly thereafter.

There are a few exceptions though...I have a family member who will kind of just start staring off into space....kind of like in a trance....LOL...so you definitely know that it is time to leave...One couple will start fidgeting around and fussing...throwing hints at their guests like..."It's been a busy day." or "Well, it's time to call it a day.", etc., etc.

@Stray...Your story made me laugh...Nothing like someone enjoying their company!...LOL 

[MyShadowLove]

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@Hoovermom wrote:

An old joke/saying I heard when growing up was:  "we better go to bed so these follks can go home" LOL.

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@Hoovermom...LOL...That definitely will do the trick!...LOL

You just reminded me of a family member that I forgot to mention in my previous post...One time, while visiting her, she disappeared...My husband and I and the few others that were there started wondering where she was....I went checking around and found her sound asleep on her bed...LOL

[magicmoodz]

 Sometimes our roots dictate how we leave.

In my family of origin goodbyes generally lasted 45 minutes to an hour--just one more story, one more joke to be told.  If at my parents, my Dad ALWAYS walked us to our car--even in below zero weather.  He had a gift for making his guests feel as if they were the most appreciated!

It took some getting used to my husband's family.  Someone gets up, says they are leaving, gives everyone a hug and out the door they go.  To this day, I find that kind of departure off-putting.  😕

[Imadickens]

I was once told to leave while everyone is still having fun! That way, everyone has fond memories!

[mantaraye]

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@Scooby Doo wrote:

When they tell me to please put the cat out and make sure that I lock the door behind me because they're going to bed.

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LOL

[JillyMarie]

For me, time to leave usually coincides with when they run out of bourbon..

[RedTop]

Usually within 1 1/2 hrs after the meal.   After a few years of doing this, my MIL tried to manipulate us into staying much longer by purposely finding ways to delay the meal.   The first time we went for Sunday dinner after church, and learned that dinner wasn't going to be ready until supper time, we did our usual visit, and left.   MIL wasn't happy with us at all, and pouted for awhile, but we had jobs, small kids, other family to visit, and a home to keep up, so we made it clear that every Sunday was not about her, and what she wanted.   

[deedledeedeedle]

@Mellie32 (love the nik btw, is it from GWTW?) :

I didn't know what I'd find when opening your thread. I actually LOL'd when I read it.

I assume you just don't get up & go when you feel like it. I usually decide beforehand the length of my stay & tie in another activity that drives my departure. 

If that is not feasible I leave on another's coattails as someone earlier posted. 

On holidays, especially Christmas, I sometimes wonder if I overstay because of nostalgia, but just settle in and feel the love & coziness. 

dee