What would you do -- neighbors want to be friends, we don't?

[Irulan]

Whatever you say, just be sure you practice it a few times, so you feel comfortable saying it when the time comes.

Just keep it short and simple...."Thank you so much for your offer! Unfortunately, we just can't fit that into our schedule."
If they push, just keep repeating it..."We just won't be able to squeeze it in." etc etc etc

If you are prepared, you don't have to hide from them, or worry about getting stuck in a situation you are not comfortable with.
Good Luck!

I vote for this. It's not an excuse, it's clear, polite and gets the point across.

[emily_in_nc]

Whatever you say, just be sure you practice it a few times, so you feel comfortable saying it when the time comes.

Just keep it short and simple...."Thank you so much for your offer! Unfortunately, we just can't fit that into our schedule."
If they push, just keep repeating it..."We just won't be able to squeeze it in." etc etc etc

If you are prepared, you don't have to hide from them, or worry about getting stuck in a situation you are not comfortable with.
Good Luck!

I think this will probably work, and really it's probably going to be true as we get closer to our leaving date. If we were working, it would be even more legit, but I do have some obligations with the humane society I volunteer with coming up later in the month, and we're going to be busy getting ready to leave the country. It may happen that we just don't run into them until we're so busy that this is not even a lie...that would be the best possible scenario. Even though we live in the same building, we run into them a lot less often than we expect b/c they are on the go a lot, go out to eat a lot, and do a lot of social things, and they both work (though for themselves). I'm hoping they'll actually end up being so busy that it just doesn't work out for them either!

Thanks for all the thoughts and suggestions. We fly back to the US four weeks from tomorrow, and even though it's absolutely stunning weather here right now, we are so ready!

[Blueberry]

We fly back to the US four weeks from tomorrow, and even though it's absolutely stunning weather here right now, we are so ready!

How exciting!!! I'm sure that feels good

[emily_in_nc]

How exciting!!! I'm sure that feels good

It sure does, thanks! Just SO much to do, so it's all a bit stressful, and we aren't sleeping well. Don't need the extra added stress of social pressures we don't want on top of what's already there. But, this too shall pass, and in a few months we'll look back on this and laugh, I suspect!

[Wasp]

I think u worry to much!
Just tell them that your "IBS" (irritable bowel syndrome) has flaired up........nuff said

[emily_in_nc]

I think u worry to much!
Just tell them that your "IBS" (irritable bowel syndrome) has flaired up........nuff said

Yes, I am a worrier...I do come by it honestly, though. My grandmother and mom were/are the same.

IBS...good idea! ;-)

[tulip]

Just tell them, "No Thank You, we're too busy getting ready for the move." I don't think that's an excuse...if I were moving somewhere in a month, I sure as hell wouldn't accept any overnight invitations.

Time to buck up! You'll never see these people again, so what are you worried about?

ETA: I'm not much of a social person, either, and I've started to say just that. "I'm not much of a social person, but thank you for the invitation anyways." It works.

[emily_in_nc]

Just tell them, "No Thank You, we're too busy getting ready for the move." I don't think that's an excuse...if I were moving somewhere in a month, I sure as hell wouldn't accept any overnight invitations.

Time to buck up! You'll never see these people again, so what are you worried about?

ETA: I'm not much of a social person, either, and I've started to say just that. "I'm not much of a social person, but thank you for the invitation anyways." It works.

I like that line, tulip. You'd think they'd realize we're not that social since they see us traveling alone, never having friends visit us here, and doing almost everything just together without others...but some people are just a little dense, I guess. They, otoh, are always having friends down -- course it helps that the own two three-bedroom condos here (one on the market), while we own a 1BR. They have friends here til the 18th, so I have until then to cogitate on this.

In all probability, I'll end up saying that we're just too busy with the move. We will have conflicts with quite a few of the possible days they might suggest, and they'll certainly have some conflicts too. They kind of dropped it in our lap to let them know when we wanted to go (the last time they mentioned it it was when they ran into my DH, so I had no input), so perhaps if we just say nothing it will just slip through the cracks and be too late.

The funny thing is, I think they think we really want to go, even though we've never given them any indication that that's the case, we've just been polite when they've brought it up. They've been talking about us "coming up to see the beach house" for months now, off and on. Some people just don't read others very well, I guess.

[Jo-n-NY]

Emily, wow time goes by so quickly. I feel like you just mentioned about moving back to the states.

I agree with the too busy "reason" because to me realistically you most likely at this point will be too busy or within a couple of weeks of being too busy. No biggie there, really.

I will say now in case time gets away from you and are not here that often that I hope you have a smooth move returning to the states. I will look forward to hearing of where you are residing and your new cycling adventures when all is at a calm

If it is any consolation my husband and I have a few close friends, but pretty much do a alot on our own also. We are far from social butterflies.

[emily_in_nc]

Awwww, thanks JoAnn!

I really appreciate your support. We were actually ready go to back to the States last summer, but it was actually a good thing that our condo didn't sell right away as it enabled us to take some amazing trips that we wouldn't have gotten to take otherwise. Things really do happen for a reason.

[Jo-n-NY]

Awwww, thanks JoAnn!

I really appreciate your support. We were actually ready go to back to the States last summer, but it was actually a good thing that our condo didn't sell right away as it enabled us to take some amazing trips that we wouldn't have gotten to take otherwise. Things really do happen for a reason.

So true Emily. I was thinking that while reading the fantastic trip you took in December.