Banning Houseguests

So for super bowl, we had two friends over to watch the game, eat chilli, and have a nice time. One of them is not going to be invited into my house again. I had just mentioned that I leave the Christian station on for Pepper because I know there won't be any words I don't want repeated on it. The "friend" then shouted out curse words! I said again, I don't want her saying that kind of thing! So he AGAIN shouted curse words! I made me very upset, I will no longer be invited this so called friend into my home.

The other friend that came, always acts obviously afraid of River, and now Pepper too. She's always freaked out, "don't let him poop on me!". As we all know, birds are inteligent creatures, and pick up on emotions. So, she's all freaked out attempting to pet River, and is all surprised when he bites her! Ugh.... apparently, I have to leave my birds in their cages when she's around. What's so scarey about a little birdie poop? lol

Today, I did hear something on the Christian station that I could do without Pepper learning - the test of the emergency broadcast system!!

LoL....I throw people out when they don't listen to me. I've done that before. I warn people ahead of time when they walk in my house. People don't listen...

I don't mine if people are scared of or dislike birds and let me know (politely). It's general etiquette. If I hear "I'm sorry I don't like birds" or similar, Alex goes away (to his cage). When entertaining with people I don't know until I know everyone is comfortable with him, he is away. It's a part of hosting people, or having them in your home. When you welcome them in, you accommodate their needs (within reason). In return, I would expect these people to do the same for me. And anyway, if someone said they had a problem with dogs (fright) or allergies to a cat, etc, you would accommodate that need (within reason). The same with our feathered buddies. The vast majority of people have no issues with him anyway.

Though this is obviously different if you own a large number of birds or breed or whatever and they are aware of this. Because it is not within reason to move all those birds out of sight, and if the guest knows they will be uncomfortable they just should not come over or inside.

However, I too would not tolerate the swearing or any badmouthing of my bird (One 'friend' was making jokes, even when asked to stop, about turning Alex into fried chicken' amongst doing other rude things. He was asked to leave, then told to GTFO) Like they say, my house, my rules. Though I did use to have a terrible housemate who tried to teach him to swear (one of the many reasons I left actually)

Well, I won't move my birds out of sight. They are happy where they are. But, I haven't had anyone freak out totally if they are in their cages. I do have a friend with mental problems who obviously hates the birds, and they know it, and hate her, too. In fact that's how I learned that when my ex bf was trying to teach my Nanday the F word, that she did learn it. I thought I stopped him in time, but no, a few months later she said it to the bird hating friend who was standing there sneering at her.

It is unfortunate, but a lot of immature people think it's funny if a bird learns to cuss. Rowdy had already learned a few bad things from TV, and one from me. I did not want her saying the F bomb as well. The only good thing I can say is that she only says any of these things under duress, which happens infrequently. But, if something were to happen to me, many people wouldn't want her because of it.

Your friend obviously doesn't respect your wishes. I think we all have some friends like that. I hope Pepper did not pick up any of those words. Especially since Greys go on a "roll" several times a day where they say every single thing they know. At least with Rowdy, she doesn't do that. I might only hear one bad word every 9 months or so, thankfully.

Sorry you had to do that, but you know add alcohol, instant idiot. Ball games seem to bring out the worst in some people. Lucky for me, its been along time since we had a 'ball game party', I dont miss them. Merlin gets upset when my hubby watches the games, too much shouting & gesturing towards the tv.

That is so rude!!!! That is YOUR house and people should respect YOUR rules when under your roof. I would be mad too. I have people who do that with Stewie and Sky. I can't not allow them over because in a way they are family. So I just grind my teeth and try to ignore it. After they leave I repeat other words to try to get them to forget it. So far so good. They are both still young though and may catch on better when they are older. Hopefully they won't.

p.s. It is too bad River didn't poop on her!

Amber said:

I don't mine if people are scared of or dislike birds and let me know (politely). It's general etiquette. If I hear "I'm sorry I don't like birds" or similar, Alex goes away (to his cage). When entertaining with people I don't know until I know everyone is comfortable with him, he is away. It's a part of hosting people, or having them in your home. When you welcome them in, you accommodate their needs (within reason). In return, I would expect these people to do the same for me. And anyway, if someone said they had a problem with dogs (fright) or allergies to a cat, etc, you would accommodate that need (within reason). The same with our feathered buddies. The vast majority of people have no issues with him anyway.

Though this is obviously different if you own a large number of birds or breed or whatever and they are aware of this. Because it is not within reason to move all those birds out of sight, and if the guest knows they will be uncomfortable they just should not come over or inside.

However, I too would not tolerate the swearing or any badmouthing of my bird (One 'friend' was making jokes, even when asked to stop, about turning Alex into fried chicken' amongst doing other rude things. He was asked to leave, then told to GTFO) Like they say, my house, my rules. Though I did use to have a terrible housemate who tried to teach him to swear (one of the many reasons I left actually)

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She actually has a bird of her own (well, family bird). Her bird is never allowed out of the cage. I would of course never force somebody to hold or interact with my birds. She was the one who tried to hold/pet River, but all the while saying things like "don't you dare poop, I'll barbeque you!"

I definately belive in "my house, my rules". If my bird wants to be with me, he/she will be. And if I don't want swearing/smoking/etc in my house, they better listen! lol

merlinsmom13 said:

Sorry you had to do that, but you know add alcohol, instant idiot. Ball games seem to bring out the worst in some people. Lucky for me, its been along time since we had a 'ball game party', I dont miss them. Merlin gets upset when my hubby watches the games, too much shouting & gesturing towards the tv.

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Bad part is, the guy really didn't drink much, and wasn't really paying attention to the game either. Just being a rude jerk. Grrrrr

I hate it when people don't listen when they're in your house. I would ban those people from coming over again.
If they want to have a party, they can do it at their places where they can do whatever they want.
My birds and my dog LIVE here, they don't. They can go away. That's my motto.

I was just going to say what Jen just did. My birds live in my house. If you won't respect them, you're not respecting me! My birds fly free in my home. When someone comes over, they go into their cages. I don't have to put them away. They'll stay there until they're familiar with our guests. And then come out if comfortable. Everyone who knows me knows how I feel about pets, especially birds. Why do people think it's so funny to teach parrots inappropriate words? Would they do that with children?

JensFlock said:

I hate it when people don't listen when they're in your house. I would ban those people from coming over again.
If they want to have a party, they can do it at their places where they can do whatever they want.
My birds and my dog LIVE here, they don't. They can go away. That's my motto.

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this is my thoughts exactly. I am waiting for my bird still but I have a yorkie as well as a couple cats and a hedgie. My family have came over before and make comments about me living in a zoo or irritate me to death by saying stuff like why doesn't your dog live outside? Um cause its my dog and frankly anyone who put a yorkie outside on a chain needs to be shot. YOu should have heard them when my alaskan malamute was still alive. They couldn't believe we got a bigger bed when he got to big to fit in it with us. I loved my 200 pound cuddle monster and wouldn't have dreamed of not having him right beside us.

We also don't allow smoking in our home and I can't tell you how many times I have caught someone lighting up if I am out of the room and I have had to ask them to go outside.

I am sure there will be those that do this with my parrot as well but its your home!

I prefer my pets to most people I know anyway!

Years ago I gave a friend of mine a wedding shower since her maid of honor couldn't be bothered. Her mother called me and demanded I get rid of all the animals for the day, including the horses and goats! I said no, I won't do that. She said some guests were allergic. I said I will put the cats upstairs, and the dogs in the kitchen, but everything is staying here. And you can't possibly expect me to move the barn animals!

Well, my dad let my goat out right before her mother arrived. As soon as she parked and opened the door, the goat went running straight for her Cadillac and climbed in! Most of us got a good laugh about it like the animals were getting even for her saying they had to leave.

I'd be angry as heck is someone did that in my home! I'd love to have a Gray and if I heard them say a cuss word, (ok..I admit I cuss under my breath lots so it's would probably be my fault lol) I'd be horrified. I don't get why people find it so amusing when a bird cusses. I had a cousin who taught my little sister every cuss word you could think of. My mom was pissed!

I also agree that the home does belong to the animal and not the visitor. If they have a problem, they should be polite and let you know not "OMG, like, I hate birds. They smell and poop everywhere!" or my favorite from my family when I say my birds will be flighted, "Rachel!, they'll poop everywhere. What are you thinking? Just keep them in the cage!" This is paired with a look of disgust. I, then, have to explain about potty training and they still don't believe me because "They're just birds." -_-

I would make a sign that says something along the lines of, "Please do not poke, prod or otherwise torment my parrots, this includes swearing at them. If you do so you will be asked to leave and will not be invited back. If you continue to do it I will come to your house and poke your kids and teach them bad words" lmao. J/k. It is funny though, the only reason I have ever not invited someone back to our house is because of them treating our birds in a way I do not agree with. It's another reason I prefer our birds to not be in the main parts of the house, so we can still have company and even small parties and not have to constantly worry about someone messing with the birds. I've had people shoving their hands in their face, swearing at them, or just otherwise being loud or obnoxious near them and I don't stand for it. I don't care how much of an idiot you want to act like but when it involves non human beings, it changes the story. I always ask them nicely ONCE to stop and if they continue I get serious, tell them to get away from the birds/snake/dog whatever they're doing it to, and if I see them doing it again I will not hesitate to ask them to leave. It may be funny to some arrogant buzzed up twenty-something to have a bird lunge at them as they pull their hand away over and over but I look at the long term damage this is doing to their psyche. When you spend months, if not years, to try and teach a bird to not fear people or hands and then one idiot decides to torment them for five minutes, sometimes that's all it takes. I use to have the same problem with my dog, most of my friends are guys and they all think it is fun to wrestle with our 90+lb shepherd/rotti mix. What they fail to realize is that it takes me about 3 months on consistently telling him "no" everytime he mouths some one for him to realize that he's not allowed to do that, and all it takes is one night of him rough housing with the guys, where they allow him to chew on them, for it to all be undone. And while he doesn't bite hard and he is just playing, I have this fear that if he would ever to it to a child that isn't used to dogs, all it would take is for that kid to scream, "your dog bit me!" and we would have a big problem on our hands, even if he was really just playing(he would never actually bite a kid, he lived with 3 toddlers last year and they treated him like a jungle gym )

I usually try and invite guests after Amigo is in bed, 5:00pm to...whatever, (Amigo sleeps in the back room). The folks that are here during the day, have no choice but to be respectful. I don't even have to get involved, Amigo handles it!

I'd ban them too, especially the first one.

I warn people that Puck may poop, and if he looks like he may bite. If somebody doesn't want to get pooped on, they shouldn't pick up the bird. End of story.

My bf (who is kind of a germophobe) got a little worked up last week when Puck pooped on him. I cleaned it off his shirt, but the bf was still a little freaked out. I just kept telling him that's what he gets for letting Puck on his shoulder. He knows better. Lol.

If I don't want Puck pooping on something, I keep him away from it; and if I am afraid he will bite, I don't put my hand near his beak. Duh.

Rio Mom said:

Today, I did hear something on the Christian station that I could do without Pepper learning - the test of the emergency broadcast system!!

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Ralph loves it when the emergency test tones are broadcast-- but so far, he hasn't tried to imitate them.


If any visitors here ever tormented Ralph, or mistreated him in any way, they'd be shown the door right away, and would never be allowed in again.

Wow, I just read through all of these. Some people are just ... uhg.

I agree with IcyWolf it just takes 5 minutes of torment from some idiot to ruin all your hard work and trust with a bird.

Though I will say I curse like a sailor & don't find cursing birds to be such a big deal but if that's YOUR parrot & you'd rather not have him learn those things & the guy kept mouthing off then you have every right !!

If it was me I would've cursed right back at him 1,000 times worse. (which defeats the purpose of the whole not cursing around the bird thing, but still LOL)

Luckily my friends were all cool during the Superbowl. I got to bring my bird into the basement with me and he got to take treats from peoples hands C: he's not used to strangers but he'll do anything for some grapes lol.

Sorry you had such a bad experience. You really do learn a lot about your "friends" when things like that happen, huh? That's why I always say my only friends are my pets. I'm sure a lot of us on here are like that.