We all know people with no social skills. You know, the type that turns up on your doorstep at 8am on Saturday cause they were insomnically bored, drags you to Tesco's after you worked for 9 hours, cause they don't really like weekly shopping, stays late playing on your xbox360 when you are itching to slaughter beasties with your new shiny silver sword. And if you are just to polite to say 'f*** off' here's a little guide on what you can do.
1. Don't open the door whenever somebody knocks - simple but how many times you opened the door and it was someone you didn't want to see or one of these scary broadband selling people? They can't leak through the keyhole so you're safe. If they can, you're in trouble.
2. Make sure you always text/call/email people before you go to see them - can't really expect anyone to follow your rules if you don't. And although some very social types keep their door open 'anytime' you still don't want to stand outside listening to their bed creaking rhytmically...
3. Don't feel guilty for throwing somebody out - if it's your flat and your day off spend it however you want getting rid of obstacles to however, being a bouncer for a bit is always a good practice in feeling guilt free in such situations.
4. Make sure you actually have conversation instead of being a passive part of lenghty monologue about new wave of Japanese art, annoying relatives you never met or shield types in LOtR - even if it means talking loudly over somebody. If you find the topic intriguing just mind next time it might be an hour long blather about something completelly different. If you have the ability to doze with your eyes open skip this point.
5. Don't let them stay overnight - next thing you know they live on your sofa, sneaking out to get more pot noodles when you're not watching, crashing your console and watching your dvds to death. Sadly, they don't hoover, wash or clean the windows.
And, sticking to some rules will not make you a sad recluse nobody wants to see, quite the opposite, before you know your home is a new social centre of your group but on your terms. And I'm speaking from experience here, just don't ask me to explain why. Good luck and may your more touchy socially unskilled friends not throw mud on you.
