# A treatise on how to act when you grace the doorstep of a home . . . **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [November 5, 2006, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-treatise-on-how-to-act-when-you-grace-the-doorstep-of-a-home/379193 "2006-11-05T17:49:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2006, 9:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-treatise-on-how-to-act-when-you-grace-the-doorstep-of-a-home/379193/21 "2006-11-07T09:49:10Z")
[QUOTE=Ghanima] When I worked for the power company, I would often ring a doorbell and get no response when I knew full well someone was home. Then I’d head for the gate and enter their backyard, while yelling “Hello? Power company!” It’s amazing how quick someone will come to the door once they see you are headed for their back yard. BTW only one time did I accidently let the dog out - and that was because the owner thought the dog was in the house and told me to use the gate. [/QUOTE] I’d always tell the power/phone/whatever person to meet me at the back gate. I’d have the dog(s) leashed. Not because they tended to bite people, but because they tended to demand attention. If I don’t answer the door, either I’m asleep, deep in some other activity, or I think it’s another damn solicitor/proselytizer. I’m willing to answer the door for the power company, etc. ---
**Author:** ![EddyTeddyFreddy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eddyteddyfreddy/32/18796_2.png) [@EddyTeddyFreddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EddyTeddyFreddy)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2006, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-treatise-on-how-to-act-when-you-grace-the-doorstep-of-a-home/379193/22 "2006-11-07T14:50:58Z")
You’re much less likely to have a utlity meter reader pounding on your door these days, thanks to [remote meter-reading devices.](http://www.energycite.com/amr.htm) ---
**Author:** ![Fiveyearlurker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/da6949/32.png) [@Fiveyearlurker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiveyearlurker)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2006, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-treatise-on-how-to-act-when-you-grace-the-doorstep-of-a-home/379193/23 "2006-11-07T15:04:39Z")
I had some Jehovah’s Witnesses two weeks ago for the first time ever. I have to say, they were polite, and when I said that I wasn’t interested they thanked me, wished me a nice day and left. A mild annoyance at most. ---
**Author:** ![Freudian\_Push\_Up\_Bra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/edb3f5/32.png) [@Freudian\_Push\_Up\_Bra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freudian_Push_Up_Bra)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2006, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-treatise-on-how-to-act-when-you-grace-the-doorstep-of-a-home/379193/24 "2006-11-08T02:17:30Z")
I’m dreading the move from my apartment to a townhouse because I’m more accessible to door-knockers but the only ones I ever encountered living there before (moving back to Nanna’s, yay!) were Red Cross Appeal and I have a special change jar for them, so they’re okay. Right now, it’s just avoiding telemarketers who know my name! ---
**Author:** ![Catamount](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/catamount/32/2840_2.png) [@Catamount](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Catamount)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2006, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-treatise-on-how-to-act-when-you-grace-the-doorstep-of-a-home/379193/25 "2006-11-08T19:49:46Z")
[QUOTE=Elza B] And adding - don’t stick your fucking FOOT in the door when one of us tries to close it. If one of my cats gets out, you WILL get the shit kicked out of you. E. [/QUOTE] I see someone’s foot stuck in my door as an open invitation to stomp on it repeatedly while wearing stiletto heels. ---
**Author:** ![alphaboi867](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alphaboi867/32/3898_2.png) [@alphaboi867](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alphaboi867)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2006, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-treatise-on-how-to-act-when-you-grace-the-doorstep-of-a-home/379193/26 "2006-11-08T21:33:18Z")
[QUOTE=Elza B] And adding - don’t stick your fucking FOOT in the door when one of us tries to close it. If one of my cats gets out, you WILL get the shit kicked out of you… [/QUOTE] One time when I was about 4 my mom took me to my grandparents’ lake cottage for the weekend (dad went to a race). It was just me, her, and our large mixed breed Gracie. Two _missionaries_ (I don’t know if they were JH, LDS, etc) came to the door. Both were young men. As soon as mom realized what they were she politely said she wasn’t interested and asked them to leave. They didn’t and one of them put his foot in the door as she tried to close it. Mom got nervous, Gracie picked up on this and went after the guy. He ended up in the ER. Later the bastard had the audacity to sue, but it the judge thew it out of court since; they were trespassing, putting his foot in the door could be considered a threat against her (a woman alone with a toddler), and the dog was only protecting her mistress. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2006, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-treatise-on-how-to-act-when-you-grace-the-doorstep-of-a-home/379193/27 "2006-11-08T21:46:11Z")
[QUOTE=SpazCat] I see someone’s foot stuck in my door as an open invitation to stomp on it repeatedly while wearing stiletto heels. [/QUOTE] Do you often sit around your house wearing stilleto heels, or do you just keep a pair by the door for these sorts of situations? ---
**Author:** ![Yeticus\_Rex](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/a698b9/32.png) [@Yeticus\_Rex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yeticus_Rex)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2006, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-treatise-on-how-to-act-when-you-grace-the-doorstep-of-a-home/379193/28 "2006-11-08T21:52:38Z")
[QUOTE=Lynn Bodoni] > [@Roonwit](#): > > What an excellent opportunity. > > "Great. NOW look what you’ve done. Go get him. "Nah, I reserve THAT line for when they let out our (elderly, but still fierce looking) German shepherd. [/QUOTE] Nah, I reserve THAT line for when they let out our (elderly, but still fierce looking) German _grandfather_\*. \*-(He still thinks he’s fighting in “The War”) ---
**Author:** ![Cluricaun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/bb73d2/32.png) [@Cluricaun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cluricaun)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2006, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-treatise-on-how-to-act-when-you-grace-the-doorstep-of-a-home/379193/29 "2006-11-08T22:20:56Z")
[QUOTE=SpazCat] I see someone’s foot stuck in my door as an open invitation to stomp on it repeatedly while wearing stiletto heels. [/QUOTE] You all just don’t know how to slam a door hard enough. ---
**Author:** ![Catamount](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/catamount/32/2840_2.png) [@Catamount](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Catamount)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2006, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-treatise-on-how-to-act-when-you-grace-the-doorstep-of-a-home/379193/30 "2006-11-08T22:40:05Z")
[QUOTE=Miller] Do you often sit around your house wearing stilleto heels, or do you just keep a pair by the door for these sorts of situations? [/QUOTE] I think I’m going to start. Although I have a large, loudmouth dog who usually scares the missionaries away, especially when I make a big show of straining to hold her back by her collar. (She’s actually very sweet. She just barks A LOT at people she doesn’t know.) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-treatise-on-how-to-act-when-you-grace-the-doorstep-of-a-home/379193.md?page=1)