All Ears English Podcast AEE 2518: Fish and Company! English Phrases for Overstaying Your Welcome
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Nov 24, 2025 Discover the intriguing dynamics of overstaying your welcome in conversations. The hosts share personal anecdotes about unwelcome guests and delve into idiomatic expressions like 'Fish and company' and 'Don't wear out your welcome.' They explore cultural nuances of having guests and role-play scenarios on how to politely encourage someone to leave. Tune in for insights on social cues and communication strategies, and learn how to navigate these tricky situations with grace.
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Awkward Campfire Overstay
- Lindsay and her partner overstayed at friends' campfire after COVID and missed subtle exit cues.
- They realized only when a host said they were going to bed and felt mortified.
Cultural Differences Matter
- Cultural expectations change how long guests can stay and how hosts signal it's time to leave.
- What feels like overstaying in the U.S. may be normal in other cultures, like long Indian wedding celebrations.
Three-Day Rule In A Saying
- The idiom "guests like fish stink after three days" compresses cultural norms about guest length into a memorable rule.
- People often shorten it to "fish and company" to imply the full saying playfully.