I've had a problem this year with people that are bringing beverages and food items to my garage/estate sale and either leaving them for me to dispose of or making a mess. Twice I've had men leave beverages on the tables - one I didn't find until he had left, the other one I told him as he was leaving and he said "That's okay. You can throw it out." Another time an elderly couple brought dripping ice cream cones and let the melting drops fall on upholstered furniture. They seemed impervious to my admonitions to step away until they finished their ice cream. They just smiled sweetly and stayed their ground. I tried signs but they are ignored. What else can I do?

Inconsiderate people annoy me enough that I tend to get very assertive with them although I'm normally a very reticent person. Besides posting a big sign on the exterior stating "No Food or Drink Inside", consider memorizing a few phrases you can pull out to use if the situations you've experienced in the past repeat in the future. For example:

* It's not okay with me! Take your trash.

* You're dripping on the merchandise. Please step out outside to finish your ______(while gently ushering the person towards the door with a hand on their elbow)

* Repeat "No food or drink in here, please" and hand them a paper towel or wet wipe to clean up what they spilled.

Lastly, if you are selling anything particularly fine or hard to clean, consider taping it off so shoppers can only get within a couple feet of it (enough to see the detail, but not close enough to ruin).

You've got to be kidding!!! I can't even imagine that!

Perhaps if you'd told them that they would have to pay for what they damage with their dripping ice cream...or pay to have the item(s) cleaned.

Perhaps if you pick up the cup that that it's okay to throw away and follow the gentleman to his car and put it in the back seat...

Put a sign on the lawn... "No food or drinks allowed on my property." Then if they bring it anyway, tell them that they have to leave.