Persistent Mormons coming to doorstep

[Anonymous]

My husband is the same way with telemarketers. He will let them talk for 5 minutes because he doesn't want to interrupt because "it's rude."

Door-to-door salespeople/proselytizers and telemarketers are interrupting YOU. There is absolutely nothing wrong with saying in a polite tone -- even if you have to interrupt -- "Sorry, I'm not interested, goodbye." Then you close the door or you hang up the phone.

OP, I think you've got this sorted out by now, but yeah, your husband either has to get on the same page with you or you need to ignore your husband's hobby of chatting with stranger evangelists.

[Anonymous]

How about telling them you'll chat with them about your religion first for thirty minutes and they get a fifteen minute rebuttal?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How about telling them you'll chat with them about your religion first for thirty minutes and they get a fifteen minute rebuttal?

I love it!!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My husband is the same way with telemarketers. He will let them talk for 5 minutes because he doesn't want to interrupt because "it's rude."

Door-to-door salespeople/proselytizers and telemarketers are interrupting YOU. There is absolutely nothing wrong with saying in a polite tone -- even if you have to interrupt -- "Sorry, I'm not interested, goodbye." Then you close the door or you hang up the phone.

OP, I think you've got this sorted out by now, but yeah, your husband either has to get on the same page with you or you need to ignore your husband's hobby of chatting with stranger evangelists.

Yes, but I think these Mormon kids are kids, and they should be treated a little differently, just like I would not slam my door in the face of some kid doing a fundraiser for his high school band. These mormon kids may be a bit clumsy about it sometimes, but they are sticking their necks out to spread the word, and most religions consider that a good thing.

I think that a good way to handle the Mormons is to say "I appreciate your effort to reach out to others about your faith. My family is XX and we feel that it is a good home for our family. Good luck on your mission". It validates their effort, lets them know that you are in a good place, and sends the on their way. I don't think it helps too much to engage on the pros and cons of Mormonism unless you are open to it.

Obviously this approach is not written for someone who is not religious, but I think you can do something similar. I just think it needs to involve three things (1) remembering that these are kids asked to do an uncomfortable thing, (2) be firm that you are happy where you are, and (3) don't engage in details that could create a longer discussion.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My husband is the same way with telemarketers. He will let them talk for 5 minutes because he doesn't want to interrupt because "it's rude."

Door-to-door salespeople/proselytizers and telemarketers are interrupting YOU. There is absolutely nothing wrong with saying in a polite tone -- even if you have to interrupt -- "Sorry, I'm not interested, goodbye." Then you close the door or you hang up the phone.

OP, I think you've got this sorted out by now, but yeah, your husband either has to get on the same page with you or you need to ignore your husband's hobby of chatting with stranger evangelists.

Yes, but I think these Mormon kids are kids, and they should be treated a little differently, just like I would not slam my door in the face of some kid doing a fundraiser for his high school band. These mormon kids may be a bit clumsy about it sometimes, but they are sticking their necks out to spread the word, and most religions consider that a good thing.

I think that a good way to handle the Mormons is to say "I appreciate your effort to reach out to others about your faith. My family is XX and we feel that it is a good home for our family. Good luck on your mission". It validates their effort, lets them know that you are in a good place, and sends the on their way. I don't think it helps too much to engage on the pros and cons of Mormonism unless you are open to it.

Obviously this approach is not written for someone who is not religious, but I think you can do something similar. I just think it needs to involve three things (1) remembering that these are kids asked to do an uncomfortable thing, (2) be firm that you are happy where you are, and (3) don't engage in details that could create a longer discussion.

I think this a great post and I have a similar response to proselytizers who come to our door. I tell them no thanks, we have our own faith/we are Catholic, and we are happy with it. If they're Mormons, I tell them that we are familiar with LDS as BIL/SIL used to be LDS, and send them on their way. Yes, THEY are interrupting YOU, but there's no need to be rude.

[Anonymous]

OP, if you want, you can call the ward and let the elders know that they have been too eager. That would also let you know that they were really Mormons. They should make sure that they use public restrooms (grocery store for example).
but DO NOT LET ANYONE INTO YOUR HOUSE TO USE THE BATHROOM.

[Anonymous]

Tell them you're Jewish. No one fucks with the tribe.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My husband is the same way with telemarketers. He will let them talk for 5 minutes because he doesn't want to interrupt because "it's rude."

Door-to-door salespeople/proselytizers and telemarketers are interrupting YOU. There is absolutely nothing wrong with saying in a polite tone -- even if you have to interrupt -- "Sorry, I'm not interested, goodbye." Then you close the door or you hang up the phone.

OP, I think you've got this sorted out by now, but yeah, your husband either has to get on the same page with you or you need to ignore your husband's hobby of chatting with stranger evangelists.

Yes, but I think these Mormon kids are kids, and they should be treated a little differently, just like I would not slam my door in the face of some kid doing a fundraiser for his high school band. These mormon kids may be a bit clumsy about it sometimes, but they are sticking their necks out to spread the word, and most religions consider that a good thing.

I think that a good way to handle the Mormons is to say "I appreciate your effort to reach out to others about your faith. My family is XX and we feel that it is a good home for our family. Good luck on your mission". It validates their effort, lets them know that you are in a good place, and sends the on their way. I don't think it helps too much to engage on the pros and cons of Mormonism unless you are open to it.

Obviously this approach is not written for someone who is not religious, but I think you can do something similar. I just think it needs to involve three things (1) remembering that these are kids asked to do an uncomfortable thing, (2) be firm that you are happy where you are, and (3) don't engage in details that could create a longer discussion.

Whatever. They are not "kids" if they are roaming around ringing strangers' doorbells in the hopes of being invited in. Do you let your "kids" do this? I believe in live and let live and in not trying to make people think what I do; I owe these "kids" nothing, not even courtesy. I would consider repeat visits harassment, actually.

[Anonymous]

You are inferring that the bathroom request was a ruse. They were probably on foot and miles from where they are living.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Tell them you're Jewish. No one fucks with the tribe.

Jewish myself, but...did you miss the past 2000 years?

[Anonymous]

They are not "kids" if they are roaming around ringing strangers' doorbells in the hopes of being invited in. Do you let your "kids" do this? I believe in live and let live and in not trying to make people think what I do; I owe these "kids" nothing, not even courtesy.

I don't know why you would feel that the fact that they are asked and allowed to do something that you feel is annoying and inappropriate would make them not be "kids." Clearly, you don't have to be courteous to them if you don't want to, that's your choice. I would prefer not to make a bad situation worse by being rude, and so I prefer to politely but firmly say "no thank you."

[Anonymous]

I have a lot of friends from college and law school who had completed missions. Because I know that it can be lonely, I will thank them for stopping by and offer them a bottle of water for the road. I also say that I am quite steadfast in my (non-Christian) religion and have no interest in converting. If I have time I don't mind chatting with them. According to my religion, our religion isn't better or more "true" than any other, so I'm not as defensive as some others may be. If I didn't want them in I would just say, "Thanks for stopping by, but I'm not interested in chatting. Have a good day."

[Anonymous]

I make an effort to be polite, but it does chap my hide that a bunch of 20-ish single guys are showing up on my doorstep while I am trying to make dinner for my brood and announcing that they have come to give me an eternal family life. Thanks, but I am just trying to enjoy this one at the moment, and I do not need tips from you on how to manage it. Please remember that you did this when you have kids of your own. Tell your wife what you did.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a lot of friends from college and law school who had completed missions. Because I know that it can be lonely, I will thank them for stopping by and offer them a bottle of water for the road. I also say that I am quite steadfast in my (non-Christian) religion and have no interest in converting. If I have time I don't mind chatting with them. According to my religion, our religion isn't better or more "true" than any other, so I'm not as defensive as some others may be. If I didn't want them in I would just say, "Thanks for stopping by, but I'm not interested in chatting. Have a good day."

ITA

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My husband is the same way with telemarketers. He will let them talk for 5 minutes because he doesn't want to interrupt because "it's rude."

Door-to-door salespeople/proselytizers and telemarketers are interrupting YOU. There is absolutely nothing wrong with saying in a polite tone -- even if you have to interrupt -- "Sorry, I'm not interested, goodbye." Then you close the door or you hang up the phone.

OP, I think you've got this sorted out by now, but yeah, your husband either has to get on the same page with you or you need to ignore your husband's hobby of chatting with stranger evangelists.

Yes, but I think these Mormon kids are kids, and they should be treated a little differently, just like I would not slam my door in the face of some kid doing a fundraiser for his high school band. These mormon kids may be a bit clumsy about it sometimes, but they are sticking their necks out to spread the word, and most religions consider that a good thing.

I think that a good way to handle the Mormons is to say "I appreciate your effort to reach out to others about your faith. My family is XX and we feel that it is a good home for our family. Good luck on your mission". It validates their effort, lets them know that you are in a good place, and sends the on their way. I don't think it helps too much to engage on the pros and cons of Mormonism unless you are open to it.

Obviously this approach is not written for someone who is not religious, but I think you can do something similar. I just think it needs to involve three things (1) remembering that these are kids asked to do an uncomfortable thing, (2) be firm that you are happy where you are, and (3) don't engage in details that could create a longer discussion.

I don't feel any necessity to tell anyone who is coming to my door what my religion is or what I believe or don't believe. Holy crap. None of their business! I wouldn't spend 5 seconds talking to these people.