# English etiquette re: entering houses **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [October 16, 2018, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/english-etiquette-re-entering-houses/823052 "2018-10-16T18:23:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![filmstar-en](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/50afbb/32.png) [@filmstar-en](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/filmstar-en)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2018, 12:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/english-etiquette-re-entering-houses/823052/21 "2018-10-17T12:20:14Z")
I wonder how the body count in Midsomer Murders compares with its more high-brow predecessor, Inspector Morse. Set amongst the dreaming spires of that murder capital of England known as Oxford. ---
**Author:** ![MrAtoz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@MrAtoz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrAtoz)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2018, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/english-etiquette-re-entering-houses/823052/22 "2018-10-17T13:35:12Z")
> [@Miss\_Mapp](#): > > Between Midsomer Murders and Agatha Christie, I am convinced that village fetes are certain death-traps. > > Although, as UDS observes, many Midsomer residents are also murdered in their kitchens. True fact: John Lennon and Paul McCartney met at a village fete. We’re just lucky they both escaped the carnage that was sure to follow, or we would have never had the Beatles! Murdered Midsomerites can also reliably be found at the site of whatever new hobby Mrs. Barnaby happens to be pursuing that week, or occasionally among his daughter’s friends. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2018, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/english-etiquette-re-entering-houses/823052/23 "2018-10-17T14:13:14Z")
> [@filmstar-en](#): > > I wonder how the body count in Midsomer Murders compares with its more high-brow predecessor, Inspector Morse. Set amongst the dreaming spires of that murder capital of England known as Oxford. I dunno. I think the highest per capita murder rate in the world must belong to Cabot Cove, Maine. I mean, the population is something like 600, but every episode, four or five citizens buy the farm. Definitely avoid all social events attended by Miss Marple, Hercule Poirot, either of the Barnabys, Jessica Fletcher, and Father Brown. When I lived out in the country, I never locked the doors when I was away. I was so far off the road that someone could have sat there and MADE a key without anyone seeing. Also the windows were ground level and didn’t lock. I’d rather someone just come in and help themselves without breaking any windows. I DID lock the doors when I was home. When we moved in, there was a key, but over the years the house shifted (pier & beam on sand) and the bolt no longer worked. When I sold the house, the new owners asked for the key, and I said, “There isn’t one.” 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Treppenwitz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treppenwitz/32/3445_2.png) [@Treppenwitz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Treppenwitz)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2018, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/english-etiquette-re-entering-houses/823052/24 "2018-10-17T14:48:36Z")
> [@Weirofhermiston](#): > > Turns out that was a matter of policy, rather than accident. Not just foreigners, black and brown faces were considered unsuitable for Sunday night viewing as well. The producer of the series was hauled over the coals for saying so explicitly. > > [https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2011/mar/15/ethnic-minorities-midsomer-murders-brian-true-may](https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2011/mar/15/ethnic-minorities-midsomer-murders-brian-true-may) Mmm - yes, I wasn’t joking. This is long established. Incidentally, I realise now that there should have been a typo in my reply. I know it’s unusual to say there _should_ have been a typo, but I wrote: “… an imaginary England which never existed, where the post is delivered promptly twice a day…” Clearly that should have been “… an imaginary England which never existed, where the PAST is delivered promptly twice a day…” 😉 - (Kinda) j ---
**Author:** ![PatrickLondon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/patricklondon/32/4422_2.png) [@PatrickLondon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatrickLondon)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2018, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/english-etiquette-re-entering-houses/823052/25 "2018-10-17T19:37:10Z")
> [@glee](#): > > Midsomer, an allegedly sleepy country town has a murder rate of 3.2 per 100,000 population. That’s why it’s twinned with Cabot Cove. ---
**Author:** ![PatrickLondon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/patricklondon/32/4422_2.png) [@PatrickLondon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatrickLondon)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2018, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/english-etiquette-re-entering-houses/823052/26 "2018-10-17T19:38:46Z")
> [@Rocketeer](#): > > I suspected as much. The primary occupation of Midsomerians seems to be putting on fetes. 😉 Which always serve as a catalyst for some kind of horrible crime. You’ll have heard of the “fete worse than death”? ---
**Author:** ![Baron\_Greenback](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baron_greenback/32/48_2.png) [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2018, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/english-etiquette-re-entering-houses/823052/27 "2018-10-17T21:23:58Z")
> [@PatrickLondon](#): > > You’ll have heard of the “fete worse than death”? That’s bad, and you should be ashamed. ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2018, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/english-etiquette-re-entering-houses/823052/28 "2018-10-17T21:37:25Z")
> [@Baron\_Greenback](#): > > That’s bad, and you should be ashamed. Fair enough. ---
**Author:** ![Apollyon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/apollyon/32/4238_2.png) [@Apollyon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Apollyon)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2018, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/english-etiquette-re-entering-houses/823052/29 "2018-10-17T21:46:51Z")
> [@Weirofhermiston](#): > > Not just foreigners, black and brown faces were considered unsuitable for Sunday night viewing as well. Just to note that article is over 7 years old, and recent seasons have most certainly had a fair few black and brown faces, including that of the pathologist in seasons 18 & 19. ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2018, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/english-etiquette-re-entering-houses/823052/30 "2018-10-17T22:56:43Z")
> [@Weirofhermiston](#): > > The producer of the series was hauled over the coals for saying so explicitly. > > [https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2011/mar/15/ethnic-minorities-midsomer-murders-brian-true-may](https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2011/mar/15/ethnic-minorities-midsomer-murders-brian-true-may) Ah, Brian True-May, creator of that paragon of military TV, _Ultimate [del]Farce[/del] Force_. ---
**Author:** ![upend](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/b3f665/32.png) [@upend](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/upend)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2018, 12:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/english-etiquette-re-entering-houses/823052/31 "2018-10-18T12:47:20Z")
> [@PatrickLondon](#): > > That’s why it’s twinned with Cabot Cove. after 235 murders None of Jessica Flatcher’s friends seem the remotest bit worried about meeting her. Hell I struggle to have 200 Facebook friends, let alone “proper” friends. She’s had that many killed WHILST SHE WAS VISITING THEM. Run, run for your lives, associates of JB Fletcher. Yes, this quiet town of Midsomer looks safe. heh heh heh ---
**Author:** ![UDS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ecae2f/32.png) [@UDS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UDS)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2018, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/english-etiquette-re-entering-houses/823052/32 "2018-10-19T01:19:29Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > Midsomer is actually a **county**. All of the towns have the word “Midsomer” as part of their names. Alhtough the county town, Cawston, does not have "Midsomer’ in the name. Plus, although Cawston is much the largest town in the county, no murders ever happen there, although they are routine incidents in almost every other settlement in the county. ---
**Author:** ![UDS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ecae2f/32.png) [@UDS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UDS)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2018, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/english-etiquette-re-entering-houses/823052/33 "2018-10-19T01:20:37Z")
> [@MrAtoz](#): > > True fact: John Lennon and Paul McCartney met at a village fete. We’re just lucky they both escaped the carnage that was sure to follow, or we would have never had the Beatles! > > Murdered Midsomerites can also reliably be found at the site of whatever new hobby Mrs. Barnaby happens to be pursuing that week, or occasionally among his daughter’s friends. This. In fact Mrs Barnaby is the common factor that links a long series of otherwise apparently unconnected murders. I am astonished that the constabulary have not cottoned on to this. Unless, of course, she is being protected by some high-ranking member of the force? ---
**Author:** ![Doug\_K](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b5ac83/32.png) [@Doug\_K](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doug_K)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2018, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/english-etiquette-re-entering-houses/823052/34 "2018-10-19T23:44:56Z")
> [@Miss\_Mapp](#): > > Between Midsomer Murders and Agatha Christie, I am convinced that village fetes are certain death-traps. > > Although, as UDS observes, many Midsomer residents are also murdered in their kitchens. Don’t forget that village fetes also usually afford one the opportunity to see a legendary band or solo performer for free. ---
**Author:** ![Novelty\_Bobble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Novelty\_Bobble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Novelty_Bobble)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2018, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/english-etiquette-re-entering-houses/823052/35 "2018-10-20T20:43:27Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > I dunno. I think the highest per capita murder rate in the world must belong to Cabot Cove, Maine. I mean, the population is something like 600, but every episode, four or five citizens buy the farm. In passing, can I highly recommend the BBC Radio 4 program "[more or less"](https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006qshd). It deals with the stats behind the news stories and it is uniformly excellent and is precisely in line with the Dope’s brief. As it happens it dealt with precisely this issue and as I recall Midsomer was pretty dangerous but Cabot Cove was worse. ([here’s a clip](https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00wzvls)…not sure if it is available overseas) ---
**Author:** ![John.St](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b38774/32.png) [@John.St](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John.St)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2018, 12:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/english-etiquette-re-entering-houses/823052/36 "2018-10-21T12:22:07Z")
Some 55 years ago I spent my summer holidays on a small island (147 inhabitants) named Nyord. When you came to visit someone you would immediately know whether they were at home or not; if a key was in the front door lock, they were out, else you would just clap your hands and enter. ---
**Author:** ![Melbourne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5e925/32.png) [@Melbourne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Melbourne)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2018, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/english-etiquette-re-entering-houses/823052/37 "2018-10-21T23:44:00Z")
> [@Aspidistra](#): > > They should set the show in country Victoria. I’m not sure if my inlaws have ever locked a door in their life, unless they were going away for multiple days. And, when I was young (which was long after the country was depopulated by modern farming and declining labour requirements 🙂 ), you could knock, call, and wander into the kitchen to get a cold drink of water from the fridge. In Aus, there is an offense of "unlawfully on premises’, which, I think, means it’s illegal to be inside without a lawful excuse. And, I think, a lawful excuse just means it can’t be an unlawful excuse. But it does have to be an actual excuse, that you can convince a police sergeant or magistrate with – just wandering around inside isn’t an excuse. So, similar to old English trespass laws, but tighter and with penalties. (This is far off at the edge of my legal knowledge). ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2018, 11:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/english-etiquette-re-entering-houses/823052/39 "2018-12-10T11:43:30Z")
Spam reported. ---
**Author:** ![bob\_2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bob_2/32/3341_2.png) [@bob\_2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bob_2)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2018, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/english-etiquette-re-entering-houses/823052/40 "2018-12-10T13:47:53Z")
A useless spammer who can’t spell - boarder? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/english-etiquette-re-entering-houses/823052.md?page=1)