If you’re not expecting anyone, do you answer the door when someone knocks?

[Anonymous]

Don’t know why, but I feel guilty if I don’t at least come to the door. It’s almost always a solicitor of some sort, so I’ll pantomime ‘No thanks’ through the side windows. I’m not really afraid to open the door, but I don’t want to engage these people. Since nobody else seems to be answering the door, maybe I’ll stop, too.

[Anonymous]

i work from home and have a ring camera. I only answer the door for people I know or service providers I've called. Package people don't ring in my neighborhood unless it needs a signature, which I would answer for. I never answer for soliciters.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No.

If you have my number, you should have texted me at least a few minutes earlier. If you couldn't be bothered to do then, I can't be bothered to open the door. If you don't have my number, you're a stranger or solicitor and... No.

I'd only open it if you were on fire, or an obvious, serious emergency, or the cops.

Don't open for the cops unless they have a warrant.

Cool story bro.

Fine. It's your dog, not mine.

So weird, my husband is a longtime cop who has served hundreds of warrants and *gasp-* HAS NEVER SHOT A DOG! In fact, he loves them! WHO KNEW POLICE HAD SOULS

How many people has he shot?

[Anonymous]

That's what peep holes are for.

[Anonymous]

Yes

[Anonymous]

Yes. But I don’t live in DC anymore.

[Anonymous]

I wouldn't answer for police unless I confirmed with the police non-emergency line first.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:That's what peep holes are for.

+1

And the Ring or any doorbell with camera. If a person has one camera, chances are they have many, since they are so easy to set up nowadays.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No.

If you have my number, you should have texted me at least a few minutes earlier. If you couldn't be bothered to do then, I can't be bothered to open the door. If you don't have my number, you're a stranger or solicitor and... No.

I'd only open it if you were on fire, or an obvious, serious emergency, or the cops.

Don't open for the cops unless they have a warrant.

Cool story bro.

Fine. It's your dog, not mine.

So weird, my husband is a longtime cop who has served hundreds of warrants and *gasp-* HAS NEVER SHOT A DOG! In fact, he loves them! WHO KNEW POLICE HAD SOULS

How many people has he shot?

Nice work troll. New poster here and I've been a cop for ten years and never shot anyone.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:That's what peep holes are for.

And glory holes.

[Anonymous]

No, of course I don’t answer unless it’s somebody I know.

And I’ll after respond “go away.” Why the hell should I interrupt whatever I’m doing to listen to a sales pitch I didn’t request or to some bogus story.

[Anonymous]

It's also important to teach kids, and to reinforce it as they turn into teens, that they are not obliged to open the front door for anyone if they're home alone, or for that matter, if they're in the house with you there but they think you didn't hear the doorbell. It's basic safety, to me, to tell kids, "I'm going out. If you hear the door, don't answer it. If it's persistent, look through the side window (or Nest or whatever you have, PPs) and if it's a uniformed officer with a marked cop car outside, call the police to ask if an officer is at this address." Of course the lecture isn't needed every time the adults go out! But it's worth teaching them that they do NOT have to "be polite" and answer a door, or a phone either. Many kids, especially girls, are still socialized to "be nice" and polite and sometimes that gets interpreted by them as "It's impolite not to answer." I've seen it with some young relatives. But my DD has learned that unless I specifically tell her we're expecting someone, she shouldn't answer the door. I don't, myself. Too many solicitors selling things.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Don’t know why, but I feel guilty if I don’t at least come to the door. It’s almost always a solicitor of some sort, so I’ll pantomime ‘No thanks’ through the side windows. I’m not really afraid to open the door, but I don’t want to engage these people. Since nobody else seems to be answering the door, maybe I’ll stop, too.

Of course you should stop. Don't feel guilty at all - it's THEM who should feel guilty for interrupting you and thinking they're entitled to your time and/or money.

[Anonymous]

No. I work from home alone. I don’t answer the door unless my husband is home or I am expecting someone

[Anonymous]

I live in a townhouse, so I will go to the second floor window above the front door, and open it to see who it is and talk if necessary. No need to open the door. And half the time I would also need to go find decent pants to wear.