Neighbor mad I didn’t answer the door. Was I wrong?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I can’t believe you feel bad. I am impressed with your restraint for not telling them off after the rude text. They are 100% in the wrong.

Tell them if they’re yelling for help or bleeding out you’ll call 911 but if they’re just being nosy and peering in windows they’ll continue to be ignored.

This.

[Anonymous]

Ugh. Neighbors dropping by unannounced during a bad time to answer the door is awful, but neighbors who keep knocking when you don't answer are the worst.

Unless you are screaming because someone is chasing you with a knife (or something like that) - if I'm in my pjs, the sink is full of dishes, etc, trust that I will not be opening that door. I am not home all day getting company-ready, so unless it's an emergency, you can take a second to call or text me first.

[Anonymous]

Obviously these neighbors are rude.
But I’m gonna disagree with the herd here:

Don’t respond. Radio silence is the proper response. They get nothing.
Any text from you implies they deserve an explanation.

[Anonymous]

Everybody on this thread is crazy.

Ok ,,, you text was nice, move on.

[Anonymous]

Walk over and apologize that you didn’t open the door shake hands and hug. Then say you have the flu.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’d let them know I was sick, and to please phone or text first next time. (No apology needed.)

This. Although I’d probably apologize just to smooth things over.

[Anonymous]

“Phil, I am troubled by your text. Bertha did not knock or ring the doorbell. I am home sick with the flu. I replied promptly when I saw that she had called to see if she needed anything and she said no. I cannot see how Bertha is taking offense.”

[Anonymous]

This doesn't make a bit of sense. Who walks up to their neighbor's door, talks loudly and makes noise but does not knock or ring the doorbell and then gets ticked that no one comes the door?

They must have been ready to knock when they saw Op walking towards the door, figuring Op was going to open it but that Op must have seen them and then decided not to answer the door? And that offended the lady?

Weird situation. What did they want?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Walk over and apologize that you didn’t open the door shake hands and hug. Then say you have the flu.

+1 (you were doing her a favor by not opening the door)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Oh, man. I work part-time from home and I will skip answering the door unless it's someone I'm expecting. It's a safety thing.

I had a former neighbor who used to drop by during the work day with her toddler (when I was alone) and knock and knock and knock. After awhile, I stopped answering the door since she wouldn't take a hint that I was working. You don't have to answer the door!

If I text annoying neighbors back, I do it about four hours later. By then, they've found somebody else to handle their "problem." I don't feel badly about it. *They* are bothering *me*. Would they be receptive to me wandering up to their door and asking for a tomato at weird hours? Think about it.

Is this a thing now - not answering your door unless the person has an appointment? Safety? Where do you live - Compton? Why do you live in a neighborhood if you don't want neighbors?

It’s not that I don’t want neighbors. It’s that I don’t want surprise pop-up neighbors. Text first! This isn’t complicated.

[Anonymous]

“Fred, I am disappointed you chose to attack me for this. I am home today very, very ill yet you get upset that I’m rude? I was asleep and knew nothing of any visitor until my phone rang and I saw Gladys walking away. Please reserve judgment on my actions when you know nothing about what is happening in my home.”

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:“Phil, I am troubled by your text. Bertha did not knock or ring the doorbell. I am home sick with the flu. I replied promptly when I saw that she had called to see if she needed anything and she said no. I cannot see how Bertha is taking offense.”

This is good. Your neighbors are jerks. If you knock unannounced, you run the risk of someone choosing not to answer the door. And since she clearly has your phone number and knows how to text, she should text you first before stopping by. By their age, they should have learned the life lesson that different people have different preferences. Not everyone wants random unannounced visitors. You were courteous. They are nuts.

Feel better, OP!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Oh, man. I work part-time from home and I will skip answering the door unless it's someone I'm expecting. It's a safety thing.

I had a former neighbor who used to drop by during the work day with her toddler (when I was alone) and knock and knock and knock. After awhile, I stopped answering the door since she wouldn't take a hint that I was working. You don't have to answer the door!

If I text annoying neighbors back, I do it about four hours later. By then, they've found somebody else to handle their "problem." I don't feel badly about it. *They* are bothering *me*. Would they be receptive to me wandering up to their door and asking for a tomato at weird hours? Think about it.

Is this a thing now - not answering your door unless the person has an appointment? Safety? Where do you live - Compton? Why do you live in a neighborhood if you don't want neighbors?

It’s not that I don’t want neighbors. It’s that I don’t want surprise pop-up neighbors. Text first! This isn’t complicated.

You seriously flip your shit if your neighbor walks over to hand you an invite to a party or to give you a loaf of freshly baked bread or maybe a basket of surplus tomatoes out of their garden? They need to make an appt just to talk with you quickly at your door? My you're...something.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Oh, man. I work part-time from home and I will skip answering the door unless it's someone I'm expecting. It's a safety thing.

I had a former neighbor who used to drop by during the work day with her toddler (when I was alone) and knock and knock and knock. After awhile, I stopped answering the door since she wouldn't take a hint that I was working. You don't have to answer the door!

If I text annoying neighbors back, I do it about four hours later. By then, they've found somebody else to handle their "problem." I don't feel badly about it. *They* are bothering *me*. Would they be receptive to me wandering up to their door and asking for a tomato at weird hours? Think about it.

Is this a thing now - not answering your door unless the person has an appointment? Safety? Where do you live - Compton? Why do you live in a neighborhood if you don't want neighbors?

It’s not that I don’t want neighbors. It’s that I don’t want surprise pop-up neighbors. Text first! This isn’t complicated.

You seriously flip your shit if your neighbor walks over to hand you an invite to a party or to give you a loaf of freshly baked bread or maybe a basket of surplus tomatoes out of their garden? They need to make an appt just to talk with you quickly at your door? My you're...something.

NP. I’ve lived in my house long enough to know I don’t have neighbors that do this. If I’m not expecting someone 90% of the time it’s someone selling something or wanting to talk to me about God, politics or the environment. So if you want to pop over, just call or text.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:"Tom I'm so sorry Gladys is offended. I have been sick with a terrible stomach flu all day but I made a batch of cookies this afternoon to make up for it. Can I drop them by this evening?"

What?? No!