How to Ask Unwelcome Company to Leave

It's nice to have friends and family visit your home, but sometimes there are guests who stay a bit too long or visit a little too often. As a host, you might not want to seem mean about asking them to leave. However, there may be situations in which you have to do so in order to maintain a certain level of comfort in your own home.

Instructions

1. Inform your guests that you need quiet time. If you are married, you could hint that you need quality time with your spouse. If you have children and it is getting late, tell your company that you need to start winding them down and getting them ready for bed. Even if you live alone, you can tell your company that you are tired, that you would like to take a relaxing bath and get some rest, or that you have to get up early. A considerate person should take these subtle cues as a hint to leave.

2. Tell your company that you have to leave the house, and that everyone else must leave, too. Be careful of where you say you are going, however, because some people won’t get the hint and may even invite themselves to go along with you. Leave no clues as to when you’ll be back so they won’t be tempted to hang around waiting on you.

3. Have a talk with houseguests who may have stayed for an extended period of time (i.e. days, weeks, or maybe even months). They may have gotten a bit too comfortable, or perhaps they feel that you don't mind them staying because you haven't asked them to leave. This may be a difficult conversation, but remember that you have the right to be comfortable in your own home. Let them know that the agreement was for them to stay for “X” amount of time, and while you have enjoyed their company, the time is up. You might consider setting a deadline for them to leave if you don't want to be too abrupt. For example, let them know that they have to be gone by the end of the week, and stand by your decision.

4. Don’t be afraid to be firm in stating your desires. If someone comes to your house as a guest, you’d like for them to respect your space. If the visitor is so inconsiderate that he overstays his welcome, if staying too long or visiting too often becomes a habit, or he doesn’t respond to your subtle hints to leave, you certainly shouldn’t allow yourself to feel like the “bad guy” for needing your space.

5. Set ground rules before having company. Let friends know before an occasion that you don’t like uninvited company and that you would like visitors to call before coming. This will help to establish boundaries and let people know that you are particular about when you’d like to have guests over.