New research suggests that “popping in” to a friend’s house without warning is no longer acceptable, with the majority of Aussies revealing it makes them uncomfortable.
In a recent survey conducted by nine.com.au, 51 per cent of the 119 respondents revealed that they don’t think it’s okay for someone to rock up at their door without a text or phone call first, even if they happened to “just be in the area”.
35 per cent of participants thought that there was no problem with an impromptu visit, while 14 per cent remained divided, believing that it depended on the circumstances and how close you are with the person.
“There are friends that you know you can call on anytime [and] others you can’t. My own mother-in-law has a meltdown if we don’t give her notice. Others are thrilled if I just show up,” one person who answered the survey said.
Another person offered: “Between say 10am and 4pm should be fine, otherwise text or phone is necessary.”
Some of the respondents who voted against impromptu house visits said that they didn’t want to intrude on people’s personal lives.
“Friends won’t last long if you pop in unannounced – very poor manners,” one Aussie said.
Others who thought there was nothing wrong with the act said that, unless their friend outright told them they didn’t like being visited unannounced, they didn’t see a problem with it.
“I have always just ‘popped in’ and will continue to do so. If the person I am visiting doesn’t like it (which happened to me many years ago) that will be my final visit,” one “yes” voter said.
The revelation comes after a Reddit thread shed light on the seemingly “polite” habit that can be considered “rude” in Australian culture.
An expat shared on the social media platform that he had been living Down Under for a year and regularly paid for his friends’ drinks and meals when dining out.
He added that this wasn’t to “flex or be arrogant”. In his culture, the “polite” gesture is considered normal, he said.
However, he went on to explain that, in some instances, his offer had been rejected, with some Aussies confused by the act.
“I went out for drinks after work with my team and paid for their drinks and meals at the pub, and one of my mates refused to accept that,” he wrote.
The post sparked a heated debate among Aussies, with some saying the offer “feels like a burden”.
“If they accept, then what do they owe you in return? This will be especially true if you aren’t close with them yet,” one person wrote.
Another chimed in: “You’re going overboard – buying drinks and meals for your team is way too much.
“It sets the expectation for everyone else that the next time, if there is a next time, someone else is obliged to do the same, and not everyone can afford it.”