Hospitality

According to Deborah, it is an old Southern tradition to welcome house guests by presenting them with a pineapple (a highly-favored fruit). If, after several days, the house guests have not departed and are in danger of overstaying their visit, you present them with a second pineapple - a subtle hint to move on.

Of course, one could simply throw pineapples at the guests, and maybe they'll get the idea....

Slightly-different context, but same general idea:

A DESPERATE German woman called emergency services to rescue her after a visiting friend talked for 30 hours straight, authorities said Tuesday.

A police spokesman in the western city of Speyer confirmed reports that the guest rambled on about personal problems and became increasingly intoxicated until the 48-year-old dialled the emergency hotline.

"After an unbelievable 30 hours and failed attempts to encourage the guest to leave last Saturday, the woman did not know what else to do but to call an ambulance," the police said.

When the paramedics refused to carry the guest out of the apartment, the woman called the police, who picked up the friend and drove her home.