Im 45, and Ive stopped putting out the welcome mat at my flat.
These days some people seem to forget theyre guests when they turn up they start bossing you about, make a mess and never make a beeline for the door.
I used to be the sort of chap whod roll out the red carpet, but once I crossed the fortyodd mark I thought, Why bother? Its a right nuisance having people linger over the scones.
My last birthday I celebrated at The Ivy on the Strand, and Im convinced thats the way to go from now on. Let me explain why.
Hosting a shindig at home is costly. Even a modest dinner party can run you a tidy sum think a couple of hundred pounds for food, drinks and the inevitable extra china. And a Christmas do? That can be an even bigger dent in the wallet. Guests turn up with modest presents the economys tight, after all then stay on until the small hours, leaving you with a mountain of plates to wash and a living room that looks like a war zone. Id rather relax than spend my evening playing dishwasher.
Now I sit in my flat with nobody on the doorstep. I clean and cook when the mood strikes, not because someones expecting a feast. Used to be Id feel knackered and a bit down after the festive season, but now I can pop a bath in, hit the sack early and wake up feeling fresh.
I have plenty of free time and I make good use of it. Friends can pop over for a cup of tea I never fret about running out of biscuits. I can speak my mind without having to keep the kettle boiling for anyone. When I need a breather I simply point to the front door. It may not be the prettiest exit, but Im not losing any sleep over it. My own wellbeing comes first.
The funniest thing is that the folks who love popping into other peoples homes rarely invite anyone into theirs. For them its easier to play host elsewhere than to waste time cleaning up after themselves.
Do you still roll out the welcome mat? Can you call yourself a hospitable sort?
