i get the same thing from neighbors, friends, curious kids, even strangers.
if they're neighbors, i usually dirty up my hands real good before i slide out from under the car - this lets them know i'm in the middle of something. then, i give them ten minutes to talk. if they aren't polite enough to let me get back to work, i usually point out what a good day it is for working on the car, and how i only have a few hours of it left!
if it's friends that come by, i'll tell them i'm busy and can't come out and play - most are understanding with regard to this. however, if they're good friends who come unexpectedly and i haven't seen them in a while, i'll drop what i'm doing and be a good host, however this doesn't happen often. i have most of my buddies trained to call me before dropping by. this helps a lot, and mostly they know i'm not trying to be a di©k if i don't have time for them.
kids, well it just depends on who('s) they are and how much they like cars. i might show a kid a thing or two if they ask the right questions. but if they don't go away soon, i just nicely say, "listen bud, why don't you go play? i've got a lot of work to do here. why don't you come back around seven and i'll show you the work that i did." this gives them something to look forward to, and most kids will leave glowing with a feeling of importance. very few remember to come back.
i live in the city, so sometimes strangers will pay a visit from time to time. when this happens, i'm very courtious for about five-ten minutes, then i politely tell them good bye. if they don't go away, i pretend to ignore them while i go about my business, but i ALWAYS KEEP THEM IN THE CORNER OF MY EYE. i also watch them when they leave to make sure they're gone.
if someone wants me to do work for them, i ask them what (and where) it is. if they're parked nearby, and i think i can fix it in ten minutes, i say i'll look at it. if i can't see their car, i tell them, "sure! here's what i charge per hour." then they'll not ask again, or i'll be taking the girlfriend out to dinner that night. it's not really rude, it just makes them consider how much your time is worth. it also lets them know you're serious about your hobby and know what you're doing.
so, i say: give them ten minutes. everyone's worth that much. after that, be straight and politely make them realize that, unlike them, you have to manage your time wisely because you don't have as much of it as they do.
as most hotrodders know, it sure is hard to be both considerate and productive at the same time.
[ April 22, 2003: Message edited by: 98rocket ]</p>