Just because you see two cars in the driveway doesn't = answering the door

[SCRUBDASHRUB]

Why is it that people think they can just come up to my doorstep, ring the doorbell AND use the door knocker, and I will automatically open my home to them?

I was sitting on my couch, and I jumped a mile when this happened..five minutes ago. This also happened a couple of weeks ago...at 9:00 PM. WTF is wrong with people?


There was a family murdered (the cops believe they caught the people who did it) a few months ago, and they believe they didn't know the people and robbery was the motive. Call me paranoid, but this ain't Mayberry.

[paul_fromatlanta]

1. Etiquette probably depends on the neighborhood.

When I lived in a big apartment complex with lots of solicitors I felt no obligation to answer the door. But since we bought a house in a neighborhood where people help each other I would feel obligated to make sure the person at the door wasn't a neighbor in need of help.

[SCRUBDASHRUB]

2. We've lived here for about 5 years, and don't really know our neighbors

that well. The times we have answered the door, it's always been someone selling landscaping services or something.

[paul_fromatlanta]

4. Then, personally, I would feel no obligation to open the door.

If I didn't know the neighbors.

[supernova]

3. I insist that people call before coming over

I live alone and love my solitude. I don't like to see a car in my driveway if I didn't order one. :P

Family and close friends can call and come over the same day. Any others I need a few days or a week.

I once ran an old friend of my mother's out of the house because she dropped by unexpectedly (I was sitting around at lunchtime still in my pajamas and posting on DU.) She muttered something about wanting to keep a pie in my refrigerator. :wtf: I was so startled and flabbergasted I just said "I wish you had called first." I would never presume to walk into anyone's house without calling first.l I expect the same treatment.

[SCRUBDASHRUB]

5. Good for you, supernova!

I forgot to mention in my posting. Once, I put a sign out that said, "No soliciting". Had it up there for about a year. Didn't work. Maybe I need to put another one that reads, "If you're not expected, you're not welcome."

That's a nice how-do-you-do, huh? LOL! For real, though?!

If I want to sit around naked, eat cream pies and post on DU all day, that's my perogative, I say. Our homes, apts., townhomes, campers, trailers, etc. are our castles.

[JitterbugPerfume]

6. full agreement here

and the same goes for my phone .I do not have to answer it if I don't want to! I also live alone (in a secluded area) and I feel no obligation to let strangers into my home---or uninvited guests

[Midlodemocrat]

7. I'm with you.

I can't tell you the times I have been interrupted while trying to relax, or read or work or even nap.

Now I always park in the garage.

[SCRUBDASHRUB]

8. We don't have a garage, unfortunately.

:(

[JitterbugPerfume]

9. I put this in the same catergory as

people who let their doberman poop in your yard---totally obnoxious

[samplegirl]

10. Usually if its someone who really needs to see

you will let you know in advance. I don't blame
you a bit some people like to sleep in on the weekends much less being dressed at 9:00 a.m.

[SCRUBDASHRUB]

11. That would be me! I just happened to be up!?

[riderinthestorm]

12. Of course then I'm made to feel guilty since I didn't answer the door

I've started to lock my door since I've got both friends and family who will just walk in even though I've had the "phone first" rule since forever.

I used to lie saying shit like "I was in the shower", or "I was out taking a walk" to explain the car(s) in the drive without answering the door.

Now I've cultivated the "evil grin" since I've been on DU. Print out one of these babies, large size, put it on the fridge with a magnet and stare at it while they ring away. You WILL laugh!

:evilgrin:

[SCRUBDASHRUB]

14. I like the evil grin idea. Tee hee!

[neweurope]

15. Hey, thanks for the tip! I WILL print out the :evilgrin: first thing

to-morrow!

:evilgrin:

----------------

Remember Fallujah

Bush to The Hague!

[flamingyouth]

13. I hardly ever answer my door.

Never after dark and never if I don't know who it is. I live alone and generally it's people wanting to sell me something or convert me to their religion.

[NMMNG]

16. I never answer my door except for friends/family

I've had numerous instances of foul play in my neighborhood/development. Recently a bunch of guys was driving up and down my street with guns pointed out the windows . A few weeks ago a guy posing as a cop pulled a woman over and tried to assault her two streets away from my street. About a month ago a woman in the development was raped by a guy who came to her door in broad daylight asking to use her phone. At least once a month police helicopters are roaming the sky above my development with their searchlights on.

It's getting pretty scary around here. :scared:

[benEzra]

17. Yikes! Where do you live? (n/t)

[CanuckAmok]

18. I'd be more worried in Mayberry.

They only have two cops; one is 79, and one of them is dead.

[seaglass]

19. I never considered not answering the door. Interesting idea.

Other than my mom I don't think anyone family/friends come over unannounced but I always answer the door if anyone knocks at it (even when I've seen Jehovah Witness' coming).

I think I will turn over a new leaf.

So do you wave to them or hide?:-)

[Nikia]

20. We usually look out the window first

If we don't recognize the car, sometimes we answer, sometimes not. I usually send my husband to answer it. When we do, it is usually someone selling something.

[Digit]

21. About 5 yrs ago, an older couple in my neighborhood answered the door

They opened it only a crack and the man said he needed to use the phone.
He then opened fire and shot at the wife (missed), took the husband hostage and stole their van.

The perpetrator then shot his hostage as they drove onto an exit ramp, and he was dumped out of the vehicle. The old man did recover and the guy was caught.

[Fleshdancer]

22. I hope it wasn't anyone who needed help. n/t

[mykpart]

23. For some reason, we feel obligated to

open our doors and answer our phones just because we are home. I never answer my phone any more unless I know who it is. If you can't leave a message on my machine, then you'll never get to speak to me. I don't answer the door if I don't want to talk to anyone, but some people are really aggressive about ringing the bell, then banging on the door. I think I should get something that will sound like gunfire to use on those people.

[grateful581]

24. I get the Mormon "lost sheep patrol" at my door

They send people from the local mormon church to track down people who don't want anything to do with the church anymore. They come at night without notice and try to get you back into church.

I lost them by moving but now they are after my roommate at my new house.

They don't care if you move or tell them that you are not interested in the church, they will come for you.

Maybe this is just a Utah thing.