Answering a knock at the door

74jax

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 have a spy hole and so always use that. If I know who it is then I answer. If not then I don't. I used to work for Northumbria Police and so know I am a little more apprehensive than others, but if you are going to answer the door to people you don't know/aren't expecting etc then please make sure your back door is locked (if answering the front) and that if they have just popped in 'to read your meter' or whatever, that you ask them to come back after making an appointment.

Ada3050

I don't answer my door either.

If someone knocks they are trying to flog me something I don't want.

If they are offended, tough, don't knock next time! I maintain the view that door to door sales should be made illegal.

Nothing worse than answering the door to "sorry to disturb you" well if you are sorry why did you knock my door then?

And relax, rant over!

nomadical

See, phones I don't have a problem with. I always ignore the landline because I've never given the number out (I have it purely for broadband) but I will always answer my mobile if I'm not busy. I think it's much easier to hang up than shut the door on someone, and it might be about a job or something.

Callie22

We have an awful lot of problems with bailiffs etc looking for the previous owner of our house, so unless I'm expecting someone then I won't answer the door, particularly not in the evening. In our previous house we had one of those bolt-things that allow you to open the door securely just a crack but we don't have anything like that here, so I don't feel safe even opening the door - some of the bailiffs have not been 'legitimate' so-to-speak and they can be very aggressive. We also had a phase of one of the ex-owner's lodgers redirecting all of his post here and coming to pick it up every day, so again we got sick of dealing with it so we stopped answering the door in the evenings. I don't think it's weird not to answer the door if you're not expecting someone, I think it's sensible.

stef240377

When all my kids were at home if ever the front door knocked it was only one of their mates asking if they were in. As soon as it was answered to one it was like opening the flood gates and it was non stop. So we whittled down the genuine friends from the nuisances who only wanted to know them when no one else was about and the decent ones were told to come round the back as its always open if we are home.

Now the kids are leaving the nest and we have had a couple of incidents of cat bowls being pinched from the door step we purchased a cctv kit so now if the door knocks we change the chanel over on the tv to see who it is first and then decide whether to answer it.

With my landline i only give that number out to companies who when you purchase insist on having a landline number, the ringer is left switched off so if its important they can leave a message otherwise anyone of importance gets my mobile number.

Abbafan1972

I do tend to answer the door in the daytime in case it's the post or a delivery guy. Although I have a glass porch and if I open the inside door and see it's a door to door seller/whatever, then I will just go back in and close the door.

In the evening I tend to just move the blinds in the lounge window and if it's nobody I recognise then I don't answer it.

On the landline phone we have caller display, so if it's a strange looking number I don't bother answering it, then I can block the number on the phone so they can't get through again. Any new numbers that appear I just block them. Sometimes If I'm feeling a bit playful and want to wind them up I might answer! :rotfl:

74jax

Kayalana99 wrote: »

My eye hole is pointless. If I look through my eye hole you can see top of my head thu the door window....so that would be kind of akward if you ignored them still. O well lol

I wouldn't see it as pointless, the eye piece is for you to see through, to see who it is and CHOOSE whether to answer the door or not. My door also has glass above the spy hole, but I look through it and if I know them open the door, if not don't bother - the fact I have glass there and they know I have chosen not to open the door doesn't really have any relevance. They are the ones knocking on a strangers door. It's my house, i can open the door to who I like. I would suggest a spy hole to anyone who doesn't have one. They are very easy to fit and can cut down on rogue traders and bogus callers. If you make a habit of answering the door to people you don't know, it only takes one distraction burglar to catch on to this. They might not do it the first time you open the door, but make a mental note that you will open the door and come back in the next 'strike' that they do in the area with another person (to go round the back etc). I really wouldn't think your spy hole is a waste of time. It's fab you have one.

Dunroamin wrote: »

To me it's as strange as someone not answering the phone.

The phone is for my convenience though? If it's ringing and I'm busy, eating, not wanting to answer it, I just leave it.

bright_side

I generally answer the door if I hear someone knock or ring the bell (often don't hear a thing). Since having my NO! sticker on the door I get very few sales people/jehovah witnesses :T If there was a knock on the door at tea time you could bet your life it would be one of those!!
I'm not keen on answering the door when it's dark, but when someone knocked at 10pm the other night I thought it's got to be important at that time so answered it and there stood a very non english speaking person trying to ask me if I'd ordered takeaway! On shaking my head he shoved a piece of paper at me with an address on it which was a couple of streets away. I did my best to give him pointing directions :rotfl:

I once had a really drunk, angry man banging at my door who was looking for someone, but certainly not anyone in my house! He clearly didn't believe that whoever he was looking for didn't live here because after I shut the door he proceeded to try to kick it in :eek: Had to get the police to move him on and fortunately he never came back!!

I also had an angry young lady at the door once who was also looking for someone. She was adamant that they lived here and in my naivety I said she could come in and look if she wanted :eek:
Luckily that was enough to convince her the person she wanted wasn't here.

i don't know what it was about my house, considering the ones that were here previous were knocked down and new ones built that looked nothing like the old ones!!

Ada3050

Just seen this on the news:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-19305818

A sad and tragic reason to be wary of who is knocking at your door.

Hermia

Dunroamin wrote: »

How would anyone know that you were eating dinner?

My friends/family know what time I usually get home from work and have dinner, but they still phone during that time. They might be happy to shovel food in their mouth whilst chatting on their phone, but I like to wind down after work.