Is it disrespectful to just "drop in" on someone?

I think it does show disrespect to drop in unannounced and I never do that. I suppose that is what I learned from my parents, as they would never 'just drop in'. I remember if we were on a vacation and we got into town at meal time, we would go and eat or, if we had already eaten, we would drive around and definitely not arrive somewhere at mealtime, even if it was relatives we were going to visit. I always call beforehand and ask if they have any plans; even if they don't it gives them an opportunity to make something up. And I appreciate the same courtesy from my relatives and friends.

Its a bit inconsiderate in my opinion because as you quite rightly said in your first post you could be up to anything. My partner and I are very busy people and rarely have any time at home as it is, we tend to finish work, travel well over an hour to get home, cook tea and clean, then shower before finding time for a quick cuddle on the sofa. Therefore if someone called in it would just add to the fuss that is my house on an evening or weekend. But then I'm one of these people who rarely answers her texts because I dont have time to sit about texting !

i think it depends on the culture! i dont think its necessarily rude so much as an inconvenience at times. afghans tend to just drop in on other afghans without notice or with a very short notice. and its not really a "can i come over?" but a "i'm coming over soon.." i dont like it though! i would prefer to either invite someone or at least get a notice in advance.

I believe, in general, that most people find it disrespectful, if I just drop in, and that I would also be disappointed if someone just did, and I was unprepared. However, this does not include very close friends and family members. People that I see on a regular basis, that I see a lot, would generally drop by, except, they are also, the type that come at the "good" times in the day, when they know it is appropriate. And then, most of them would call anyways. However, I think it is always better to call first. Even if we are very, very close, because of the simple fact that that person just might not be home. I have had people stop by uninvited or even out of the blue and it was downright rude, and a trial, because I was so unprepared. I swear, sometimes, it is better just not to answer the door.

It definitely depends on the relationships. If you're close to them, then there's a good chance it will be okay. In most cases, I would be sure to call in advance just in case they weren't in the middle of something or just needed to be alone at the moment. Sometimes if it's for business-related purposes it is vital to make contact as soon as possible and that sometimes might mean dropping in at an inconvenient time. Otherwise, I wouldn't do this unless I was 100% certain they were okay with it, and would simply make plans in advance so we could be sure no one was being interrupted. Or, I would send them an e-mail because unlike a visit or a phone call, they can just get to me at their leisure that way.

I think it is very disrespectful, and SO annoying! I have always hated when people do that to me. Even if it is someone that I generally love to spend time with, I always feel put off when they just show up at my door. I wasn't brought up that way and even our family members call before they drop over. I noticed that here in the south (I'm from the Midwest) that people do this very often. Maybe things are viewed differently here, i am not sure. But all in all....yes, I hate it!

Dpends on d person ur visiting. If the person is fond of surprises then u can pop in any time but if the person is pressed for time or is down in the blues it would be better to call up and find out the appropriate time to drop by.

I think that in this day and age of so many ways to communicate, not just via the phone, that it is a bit more disrespectful than it used to be to just drop in without at least attempting to let someone know. However, if you have a friend who has no way to get ahold of you first, that's a little different, or perhaps they were just driving nearby and thought of you and wanted to see how you were doing. I know that it is often done with the best of intentions. But I do believe that someone should let you know first, if at all possible.

I hope not, because we do it all the time! We just like to pop in on people as a nice suprise when we're out and about. All our friends are really good friends and so don't mind us popping in, and we don't mind them doing the same thing too. We wouldn't do it with people we didn't know were ok with it, so in that sense i don't think it's disrespectful.

I don't think it is disrespectful at all to call on someone. It might be an inconvenient time for the person you are calling on so it is preferable to call and check if the person you are visiting is available. It would however depend on the closeness of the relationship. I have friends dropping in at any time, and I have no problem with it. Some people may have a problem depending on how hectic or how private their life is. The best person to judge would be yourself based on your relationship and your knowledge of the person you are visiting.

Personally, I'd appreciate a phone call first. Unless it is someone I'm extremely close to, emergency, or whatever, I think it is polite to give a heads up. I really can't stand pop-ins!

Disrespectful. I would only do it if it was a family member I was close to or a very close friend. I hate it when people do it to me, it always seems to be at a bad time.

I think it is disrespectful to just drop in unannounced. I like my privacy and I don't like unexpected company so I don't do that to anybody else. I even make arrangements to visit my sister when we both have time to socialize.

Don't you hate the cat that'll call you up, "yo you at home? Can I come by? Well open the door I'm outside?" What the blood clot? Or you're enjoying a nice evening with your lady, or A lady and there's that knock at the door again. Even when I was living alone sometimes you just want to be alone? Disrespect.

I don't like people dropping in on me unanounced. I am extremely disorganized as a rule and would not want visitors walking in to a messy place. These days every one has a telephone so there is no reason for surprise visits. I guess, it also depends on what kind of a person you are. Some people are very laid back and are delighted when people just drop in.

I would want someone to call me before they come around, I think it is only polite to do so. I never just drop in to friends places without at least a quick phone call. Although, there is one exception to the rule and that is my Mum's place and I hope my children will be the same with me one day when they are out on their own.

I think it's only polite to give a call ahead, even if just from your cell phone if you decide while out to drop by. If you're thinking of spending some time at their place, it's only fair to give them some warning! Only exception I can think of is if you're just planning on dropping something off vs. staying - but even then I think calling beforehand is still the smart way to go.

i always call people before just dropping by, i think it make it eaier for you that way you aint wasting a trip as they may not be in or may just not want you round. my mother in law always seems to "pop round" when i'm having a lazy PJ day. i dont particulary like people seeing me in my PJs

For me it depends on who's visiting =) of its your closest friends then its probably OK but if they are your co-workers or some relatives, i think its better if they at least give you a headstart that theyre going to visit, at least to give you some ample time to fix your place up or prepare snacks or prepare yourself! you wouldnt want them to come knocking at your door with a mud pack on your face now do you? And if in some instances you owe someone money- it wouldnt be nice if that person you owe money to- just comes barging in your house unexpectedly, while you have some other visitors with you. That would be embarrasing...

I have mixed feeling about it but, I have a resolution to it. I think that if you have that kind of friendship with someone, you need to discuss the "drop in". Just bring it up and agree on it. If you both agree that it is ok if you "drop in" to see one another unannounced, then it is ok. If one agrees and the other doesn't than let it stand that the one that thinks it is ok can have the other do a drop in while the other one should call and announce themselves before they stop by. Just be open about it. If it bothers you, tell your friend or family member and make it a rule. If you are open to it, discuss that and go on from there. I don't mind them. If I am not in the mood for a drop in, I just won't answer the door. I'll pretend I am not home. No biggie. I could be in the bathroom at that time, sleeping or showering. So, I feel justified. It is the same with phone calls. Sometimes you don't feel like talking so, you ignore the call and check in later when you are feeling up to it.