When Guests Overstay Their Welcome

Dear Ken,

Help! They came for 'brunch' and they weren't even invited! Unfortunately, it's now 9:30 p.m. and 'brunch,' is still going on. In the meantime, they helped themselves to our alcohol, and now it's practically gone. They never ask, they just take things, and never offer to help clean up. Now they're asking, "What's for dinner?"

We want to strangle them! Forget about taking a nap on the couch...they burned it up! We tried not talking to them. We've tried everything except asking them to leave. Now their friend Hillary shows up and announces, "I am aware that we've overstayed our welcome. However, because of vital national security interests, we will require a continuing deployment of guests in your home."

Do you have any advice for us? How do we get rid of these people? Should we just learn to go with the flow?


Ken says:

Some flow -- this crew isn't big on social graces! Somehow these buffoons have the impression they're closer friends than they are. Quit fostering that impression! Tell them you have a long day coming up.

Tell them, "We're so busy with this bloody civil war that we don't have the energy for guests! Oh, we know you're not any trouble, but we're just frazzled! Maybe we'll go out for dessert sometime. 'Bye!"

In the future, establish boundaries, and meet them in public places where you can bolt when you want -- but avoid restaurants, this crew will stick you with the bill!