Remember When Friends Just Dropped In Unannounced? Those Days Are Long Gone

I grew up in an era when a widespread phenomenon was so common that it wouldn't have been labeled a "phenomenon" at the time. In fact, no one thought twice about dropping in on friends unannounced.

'Dropping In' Is a Thing of the Past

I can see it in my mind just as plain as day. We'd be sitting in the living room, later the family room, watching TV or whatever, and the doorbell would ring. Without missing a beat, Mom would hop up and get the door and then head to the kitchen to make a pot of coffee, get a plate out of the cupboard, and cookies out of the jar, and you'd have a nice visit.

Some of my parents' friends were close enough that they might even just push the unlocked door open, accompanied by a playful, "Knock, knock," followed by the rhetorical "Is anybody home?"

Oh, I forgot this part. When Mom hopped up to get the door, there was no looking at anyone else as if to say, "Who in the world is that? Are you expecting anyone?" That's how common a practice visits like that were. In fact, there were items made specifically for drop-ins who found no one home.

'Dropping In' in the 21st Century

Today? That would be a hard "no" for most people. One practical reason is that we all have mobile phones now and can shoot a quick text to see if someone's home. Given that technology, it doesn't even make any sense to appear on someone's doorstep without notice.

If you're wondering how big a deal this is in modern life, let me share with you multiple social media posts on the subject. We'll start with a blunt take on the subject.

Here's a friendly argument about the "unannounced."

In the comments section, Katie Calabrese slams the lid on such a practice.

I have refused people entry to my home if they stop by unannounced. If they are in distress of some kind that's one thing, but people stopping by to socialize without warning is not acceptable.

And then there's this. It may be a little strong, but it probably speaks for a large portion of the population.

We seldom see cultural shifts coming, but they're often fascinating enough that you could teach an entire course on them.

I know I'd sign up.