Dear Queenie,
I have a neighbour who will drop in any time to visit, even when it is clear that I have other company. I don’t want to be rude, but I do want to visit with whoever I’m with, especially family or friends, without anyone else butting in.
Queenie, what’s a polite way to handle this kind of thing?—Visiting Etty Ket
Dear Etty Ket,
Just tell your neighbour, “Sorry, I am busy right now. Please come back (at whatever time you would not be displeased to see them).” That is as polite as an uninvited, unannounced drop-in deserves (even if you leave off the “Please come back” part).
