“Please call before turning up”: A simple plea from homeowner to potential Raya guests

 

HARI Raya is supposed to be a time to strengthen acquaintances with family and friends. Visiting ‘open houses’ is where kinship ties and bonds of friendship are celebrated.

However, not everyone is particularly enamoured by this practice of dropping by during the festive period, especially if it is unannounced and involves several car loads of unexpected guests.

Lamenting on X, qilah (@qilahrzli) confessed that she truly hates guests popping up unannounced.

Her home may not be dirty per se but isn’t guest ready, she further vented. She went in to remark that those unthinking and selfish types probably lack the requisite common sense.

qilah’s tirade seems to have touched a raw nerve among netizens as many others, too, echoed her sentiments. Her post has generated 680.7K views at the time of writing.

One netizen shared that it was a trend at his wife’s kampung in Pahang for large parties of “four to five carloads” to by drop during Raya unannounced while hoping for a proper feast.

If the food was not up to scratch, there would be murmurs of discontent.

Another shared of a neighbour who would insist on dropping by early in the morning (around 8am to 9am) despite pleas not to do so as “the hosts are still asleep and food are not ready”.

More than a few recalled insensitive relatives who would drop by at all hours, some even into the wee hours.

One commenter even shared of a large convoy who arrived early before the house had been tidied. They even had the temerity to show their displeasure by dusting off cat fur from their clothes when leaving.

It was even suggested that a host has the right to decline. But in reality, how many would do such a thing?

However, one countered that this was not an issue for those brought up in the villages. He therefore contended that he could not relate to the post as guests s were always free to drop by at any time.

One netizen posted some helpful tips on Raya open house etiquette, many of which seem to be common sense.

Starting by announcing the expected time of arrival, many were just basic courtesies that would go a long way in making Raya open houses a pleasant experience.

Kampung culture or not, it isn’t a lot to ask for guests to declare they are visiting. The days of dropping by unannounced may be a thing of the past as civic realities dictate differently.

But that shouldn’t detract from the joy and happiness of the festive season. With that FocusM hopes while everyone is enjoying their Raya open houses, just don’t forget to call ahead before dropping by. –  Focus Malaysia