DEAR ABBY: Do you think it’s unreasonable to ask an acquaintance/neighbor to send a quick text before dropping by? This neighbor lives within the same development I do. She is friendly enough, and we occasionally walk our dogs together, but she has a habit of coming by unannounced.

I was out one afternoon and noticed later while viewing my security camera that she had come by and brought with her another woman and the woman’s dog. I texted her and let her know that I saw that she had stopped by, and, in the future, I’d prefer she texted me before stopping over. Now she is offended and says she will “never stop over again.”

I saw her walk by my house recently and came out to speak to her. When I tried to talk to her, she held up her hand and said, “Don’t even speak to me!” I think this is childish and drama-filled. What do you think? — GROWN-UP IN OHIO

DEAR GROWN-UP: I agree with you. The woman overreacted to your text. This is one of the reasons I believe talking on the phone or face-to-face is a better way to communicate because there’s less chance of someone misconstruing a terse message and taking offense. As to her directive that you should not speak to her, take her up on it. Dropping in on someone with no warning is inconsiderate, bordering on rude.

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Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.