Answering a knock at the door

balletshoes

nomadical wrote: »

Just a random question/discussion

If someone knocks at your door and you're not expecting anyone, do you answer it?

Just asking because three times in the last week I've had unexpected knocks. This is weird for me, it doesn't happen a lot! I haven't answered it on any of the occasions as my friends will always let me know first if they're popping round. The only time I would go to the door is if I was expecting a parcel/takeaway etc.

Am I just weird?! Is it rude to not answer the door? I just think, it's my home and I have a right to not be bothered if I choose (especially if I'm lolling around in my PJs)

I do answer the door when someone unexpectedly knocks, unless I can see out the window and know its someone I don't care to speak to (ie cold callers selling stuff, so basically anyone with a clipboard/name badge). My neighbours pop round, my DD's friends don't always call first etc.

I don't think its rude particularly not to answer the door, no.

balletshoes

Dunroamin wrote: »

Wow - I wouldn't dream of not answering the door, whatever time of the day or night.

It could be an emergency, someone needing help, a meter reader, a delivery, a friend just passing or anything really.
To me it's as strange as someone not answering the phone.

ah now I'm very rude with my home phone, if I can't be bothered I just don't answer. If its someone I know who really wants to speak to me, they'll phone my mobile. And if I do answer the landline and its a cold caller, as soon as I establish that I just hang up. Can't be doing with it, if I want whatever service it is they are pushing, I'll call them, not the other way around.

Hermia

Dunroamin wrote: »

Wow - I wouldn't dream of not answering the door, whatever time of the day or night.

It could be an emergency, someone needing help, a meter reader, a delivery, a friend just passing or anything really. To me it's as strange as someone not answering the phone.

I often don't answer the phone (e.g. if I'm eating my dinner or am in the bath). A lot of people don't seem to see anything rude in interrupting a person's dinner (and seem astonished when you say I can't speak as I'm having dinner) so I see nothing wrong in ignoring their calls. Friends know to text me or leave an message on the answerphone if they need to reach me.

I usually open the door in the day as it might be the postman. I don't open the door in the evening as I live near a pub and I get a LOT of drunk idiots ringing my doorbell as they stagger home. I also live on my own in a roughish area so don't really want to risk it.

Dunroamin

Hermia wrote: »

I often don't answer the phone (e.g. if I'm eating my dinner or am in the bath). A lot of people don't seem to see anything rude in interrupting a person's dinner (and seem astonished when you say I can't speak as I'm having dinner) so I see nothing wrong in ignoring their calls.
.

How would anyone know that you were eating dinner?

BJV

My OH works strange shifts and I would never answer the door unless I was expecting someone. Although we very rarely get callers outside friends and family.

Perhaps it is a little rude but I when I am at home it is my time and I don't like unwanted or un solicited callers. I want to relax and no be bothered by who ever selling or promoting what ever.

You are no alone ! lol!

There_Goes_Trouble

I don't answer the door if I'm not expecting anyone. I am out a lot so none of my family/friends call in without ringing first to check I'm here and I always get parcels delivered to work, so any other doorbells can only be sales people who I can't stand.

I also don't answer the home phone until it's gone to answerphone and I know who it is. I get a lot of those awful recorded calls, there are usually several on the answerphone when I get in from work and they keep coming all evening, they drive me up the wall! Again, friends and family know that the best way to contact me is my mobile.

j.e.j.

There was a time when we had a lot of chuggers come knocking, so I started not answering the door after that. They talk the hind leg off a donkey, and it's quite hard to get rid of them..

Also if it's nearing an election, we get the candidates come round pressuring us to vote for them. Best not to answer the door, I've found.

The phone can also be quite intrusive, so it depends who's calling or if I recognise the number.

gingin_2

I used to always but since moving to a new house after 6pm it's always charity door collectors/ dodgy salesmen, so it depends on my mood as to whether I answer. Day times I always answer, even if I have to get out of the bath.

gingin_2

j.e.j. wrote: »

There was a time when we had a lot of chuggers come knocking, so I started not answering the door after that. They talk the hind leg off a donkey, and it's quite hard to get rid of them..

If I am in the right mind, I quite enjoy the challenge of a chugger.

looby75

I always answer the door because I'm just plain nosey lol

My daughter refuses to answer the land line phone though and it does my head in. She says it's never for her so what is the point of answering it.