Q. We live in the countryside, where the door is always open. Last week when it was sunny we had a drinks party in the garden. Despite our leaving a notice on the front door saying ‘In the garden’, most people rang the doorbell (waking up our grandchild and making the dogs bark) and waited on the doorstep to be greeted. I was busy trying to pour drinks and introduce people. It’s not a big house but I must have walked 10,000 steps. What should I have done?
– Name and address withheld
A. A certain type of person lacks the confidence to proceed unescorted into a household. Next time, ask a tongue-tied teenager to sit outside the front door, blocking access to the bell and telling arriving guests to just go on through. Many teenagers would welcome the chance to duck conversational engagement and instead continue scrolling at a sentry post.
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