# For Christ's Sake, Stop Coming to Our House! **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [September 1, 2005, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-christs-sake-stop-coming-to-our-house/319516 "2005-09-01T00:27:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2005, 1:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-christs-sake-stop-coming-to-our-house/319516/21 "2005-09-01T13:05:41Z")
> [@Lord Ashtar](#): > > A-fucking-men. Maybe repeated calls to your answering machine are an attempt to tell you that it’s important. ---
**Author:** ![swampbear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/swampbear/32/467_2.png) [@swampbear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/swampbear)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2005, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-christs-sake-stop-coming-to-our-house/319516/22 "2005-09-01T13:12:25Z")
> [@Kalhoun](#): > > Maybe repeated calls to your answering machine are an attempt to tell you that it’s important. Important to the asshat who keeps on calling maybe but not necessarily all that important to me. Once the message is left, then it’s my decision whether or not to call back. Repeatedly calling will not make it more important to me. Repeated messages that say stuff like “Call me!” without a message as to why I should will not get answered ever. ---
**Author:** ![kambuckta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/53a042/32.png) [@kambuckta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kambuckta)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2005, 1:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-christs-sake-stop-coming-to-our-house/319516/23 "2005-09-01T13:17:41Z")
Wow, youse guys are weird. If somebody knocks at my door, I open it. If somebody calls me on the phone, I answer that too. How the fuck else are people meant to connect nowadays? Like, **Lissa** , why the hell do you have a phone in the first place if you don’t use it for, like, communication? You want to be left alone? Cut the fucking phone off. And board up your front door. Simple. Sheesh. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![vetbridge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b5e925/32.png) [@vetbridge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vetbridge)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2005, 1:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-christs-sake-stop-coming-to-our-house/319516/24 "2005-09-01T13:25:36Z")
> [@kambuckta](#): > > How the fuck else are people meant to connect nowadays? Well, people connect on _their_ mutually agreed upon terms. People who call me, by definition are welcome since my only phone is a cell phone and only those I want to talk with have the number. Likewise, those who I want to hang with know that they had better call before coming over. I “connect” all the time, however it is on my terms.😉 ---
**Author:** ![swampbear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/swampbear/32/467_2.png) [@swampbear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/swampbear)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2005, 1:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-christs-sake-stop-coming-to-our-house/319516/25 "2005-09-01T13:25:38Z")
> [@kambuckta](#): > > Wow, youse guys are weird. If somebody knocks at my door, I open it. If somebody calls me on the phone, I answer that too. > > How the fuck else are people meant to connect nowadays? > > Like, **Lissa** , why the hell do you have a phone in the first place if you don’t use it for, like, communication? You want to be left alone? Cut the fucking phone off. > > And board up your front door. Simple. > > Sheesh. :rolleyes: I answer my door _if_ I want to. I answer my phone _if_ I want to. Having a front door and a telephone does not mean I am instantly and continually willing to be in contact with the whole freakin’ world. The door and the phone exist for _my_ convenience, I do not exist for them. That make it any clearer for ya? ---
**Author:** ![SpaceDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spacedog/32/9932_2.png) [@SpaceDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpaceDog)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2005, 1:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-christs-sake-stop-coming-to-our-house/319516/26 "2005-09-01T13:27:23Z")
> [@Lord Ashtar](#): > > A-fucking-men. I read the OP and formulated the exact same response in my head. Spooky. > [@Kalhoun](#): > > Maybe repeated calls to your answering machine are an attempt to tell you that it’s important. Leave a mesasge. I’ll listen to the message when I can. Calling more than once wastes your time and just annoys me. > [@kambuckta](#): > > Like, Lissa, why the hell do you have a phone in the first place if you don’t use it for, like, communication? You want to be left alone? Cut the fucking phone off. So you dive out the shower to get the phone ? What if you’re taking a shit ? Up to your arms in raw chicken ? Watching the end of an episode of lost ? Trying to concentrate on solving some problem for work ? Drunk as a skunk ? In bed with someone ? Just plain not in the mood to talk ? If you’re that reactive to the phone then I humbly submit that you’re a touch weird ? I have a message service for people to leave me messages, I’ll answer the phone when I want to talk. Period. Same with the door. Sheesh, yourself. SD ---
**Author:** ![kambuckta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/53a042/32.png) [@kambuckta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kambuckta)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2005, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-christs-sake-stop-coming-to-our-house/319516/27 "2005-09-01T13:32:40Z")
> [@swampbear](#): > > I answer my door _if_ I want to. I answer my phone _if_ I want to. Having a front door and a telephone does not mean I am instantly and continually willing to be in contact with the whole freakin’ world. The door and the phone exist for _my_ convenience, I do not exist for them. > > That make it any clearer for ya? Yeah. Much clearer. _Clearer_ that you’re so fucking paranoid and/or self-absorbed that you think that anybody ringing you or knocking on your door is out to fuck you over. Get a fucking life. If, when you open your door there is someone there who you are not prepared to _entertain_, then tell them so in either certain or no uncertain terms. If someone rings you and you don’t want to converse with them, tell them so in either certain or no uncertain terms. But don’t NOT answer the door or answer the phone because you’re too fucking precious to do so. That just reeks. My GOD some of you people worry me. ---
**Author:** ![vetbridge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b5e925/32.png) [@vetbridge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vetbridge)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2005, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-christs-sake-stop-coming-to-our-house/319516/28 "2005-09-01T13:40:58Z")
> [@kambuckta](#): > > My GOD some of you people worry me. Please do not be worried on _our_ account. We aint worried. Our friends understand and are not worried. If this worries you so much, maybe you should talk with someone about _your_ problem. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![JerH](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/bb73d2/32.png) [@JerH](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JerH)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2005, 1:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-christs-sake-stop-coming-to-our-house/319516/29 "2005-09-01T13:51:23Z")
I’ve been thinking of installing an on/off switch to my doorbell, so that I can turn it on when we’re expecting people and off the rest of the time. Though that would eliminate the small joy I get from berating salesmen. ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2005, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-christs-sake-stop-coming-to-our-house/319516/30 "2005-09-01T13:52:52Z")
> [@SpaceDog](#): > > So you dive out the shower to get the phone ? What if you’re taking a shit ? Up to your arms in raw chicken ? Watching the end of an episode of lost ? Man, that’s some shower. ---
**Author:** ![swampbear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/swampbear/32/467_2.png) [@swampbear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/swampbear)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2005, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-christs-sake-stop-coming-to-our-house/319516/31 "2005-09-01T13:54:22Z")
> [@kambuckta](#): > > Yeah. Much clearer. > > _Clearer_ that you’re so fucking paranoid and/or self-absorbed that you think that anybody ringing you or knocking on your door is out to fuck you over. > > Get a fucking life. > > If, when you open your door there is someone there who you are not prepared to _entertain_, then tell them so in either certain or no uncertain terms. > > If someone rings you and you don’t want to converse with them, tell them so in either certain or no uncertain terms. > > But don’t NOT answer the door or answer the phone because you’re too fucking precious to do so. That just reeks. > > My GOD some of you people worry me. If you’re a guy who used to live in Georgia, then I think we lived together for 13 years. You sound just like him. Life must stop if the phone rings. Geez! Answer your damn phone and front door in the middle of sex if you must. I ain’t doin’ it if I don’t wanna. Also, you might want to check with your doctor about some prozac or something. ---
**Author:** ![kambuckta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/53a042/32.png) [@kambuckta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kambuckta)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2005, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-christs-sake-stop-coming-to-our-house/319516/32 "2005-09-01T13:59:10Z")
Are you lot seriously telling me that you don’t answer doorknocks, _even without knowing who is there_, and don’t answer the phone unless there are three secret rings and a special password on the answering machine? Fucking hell. Sucks to be you then. Enjoy your social paranoia, I hope it gets your adrenaline going in some weird and warped way. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Homebrew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c89c15/32.png) [@Homebrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Homebrew)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2005, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-christs-sake-stop-coming-to-our-house/319516/33 "2005-09-01T14:03:42Z")
Would you open the door if _I_ knocked, dear **swampy**? ---
**Author:** ![Hamadryad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/6de8d8/32.png) [@Hamadryad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hamadryad)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2005, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-christs-sake-stop-coming-to-our-house/319516/34 "2005-09-01T14:06:30Z")
> [@kambuckta](#): > > Yeah. Much clearer. > > _Clearer_ that you’re so fucking paranoid and/or self-absorbed that you think that anybody ringing you or knocking on your door is out to fuck you over. > > Get a fucking life. > > If, when you open your door there is someone there who you are not prepared to _entertain_, then tell them so in either certain or no uncertain terms. > > If someone rings you and you don’t want to converse with them, tell them so in either certain or no uncertain terms. So when someone you don’t want to talk to comes to your door - whether it be friend, foe, or total stranger - you come right out and say “I don’t feel like talking to you or entertaining you. You are an intrusion in my life.” ? Now, the idea that you are that forthright and blunt and, frankly, deliberately rude is what reeks from this end. > [@](#): > > But don’t NOT answer the door or answer the phone because you’re too fucking precious to do so. That just reeks. > > My GOD some of you people worry me. “Too fucking precious?” Look. I pay rent in my house. That gives me the right to decide who will and won’t come in to it. I pay my phone bill. That gives me the right to elect NOT to answer it if I don’t want to talk to whomever’s on the other end. If a Jehovas Witless comes to the door and bothers to knock DESPITE the sign on my door - and my sign is pretty comprehensive - I see absolutely no reason why I should waste my time driving a spike into his/her head on which are etched the immortal words, “LEAVE ME THE FUCK ALONE.” If a salesman calls me, why should I bother to pick up? If it’s a relative who is knows to keep people on the phone for hours gossiping about stupid shit, why should I let myself in for that if I’m already in the middle of something? And I have to agree with other people as far as leaving messages - if it’s important enough to call me about, it’s important enough to leave me a message. If you can’t waste 20 seconds of your precious time leaving me a message, I don’t know why I should waste 300 seconds of my precious time actually talking to you. ---
**Author:** ![kambuckta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/53a042/32.png) [@kambuckta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kambuckta)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2005, 2:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-christs-sake-stop-coming-to-our-house/319516/35 "2005-09-01T14:09:16Z")
> [@swampbear](#): > > If you’re a guy who used to live in Georgia, then I think we lived together for 13 years. You sound just like him. Life must stop if the phone rings. Geez! Answer your damn phone and front door in the middle of sex if you must. I ain’t doin’ it if I don’t wanna. Also, you might want to check with your doctor about some prozac or something. No honey, life does NOT stop if the phone rings. If I’m in the middle of some hot sex, then the phone does not get answered. Nor will I waddle down to the front door if I’m clad just in my g-string and lathered in KY jelly and choco-peanut sauce. 😃 But **Lissa** started this thread on the basis of **‘anybody who was not invited or was not expected should not be allowed to contact her’** , and I think that sucks. Sometimes people knock at your door, and sometimes people ring at unexpected times. Apart from when being in the throes of sexual passion, isn’t it easier to just answer the door or the phone and tell the unexpected visitors to call back another time? I really don’t see what all the fuss is about. ---
**Author:** ![FordPrefect](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e99b99/32.png) [@FordPrefect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FordPrefect)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2005, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-christs-sake-stop-coming-to-our-house/319516/36 "2005-09-01T14:11:39Z")
> [@kambuckta](#): > > Are you lot seriously telling me that you don’t answer doorknocks, _even without knowing who is there_, and don’t answer the phone unless there are three secret rings and a special password on the answering machine? I know my geography is a bit rusty, but I didn’t realize that Melbourne was in the middle of the Outback, where days and weeks go by without seeing another soul and any human contact is much needed to avoid going insane. The Prefect household will answer phone calls during the day, and answer the door most of the time, but we don’t have a lot of knockers coming by and, more importantly, Mrs. P. works out of the house so we don’t want to offend her clientel. However, in the evening, most phone calls go unanswered unless the caller ID shows it is a friend or family member. We like to keep work and not-work times very separate. ---
**Author:** ![FordPrefect](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e99b99/32.png) [@FordPrefect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FordPrefect)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2005, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-christs-sake-stop-coming-to-our-house/319516/37 "2005-09-01T14:12:59Z")
> [@kambuckta](#): > > No honey, life does NOT stop if the phone rings. If I’m in the middle of some hot sex, then the phone does not get answered. Nor will I waddle down to the front door if I’m clad just in my g-string and lathered in KY jelly and choco-peanut sauce. 😃 > > But **Lissa** started this thread on the basis of **‘anybody who was not invited or was not expected should not be allowed to contact her’** , and I think that sucks. Sometimes people knock at your door, and sometimes people ring at unexpected times. Apart from when being in the throes of sexual passion, isn’t it easier to just answer the door or the phone and tell the unexpected visitors to call back another time? I really don’t see what all the fuss is about. Nice. After I get all sarcastic and shit, you go and get all rational. Bastard. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Uvula\_Donor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/e19adc/32.png) [@Uvula\_Donor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uvula_Donor)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2005, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-christs-sake-stop-coming-to-our-house/319516/38 "2005-09-01T14:15:07Z")
> [@kambuckta](#): > > Are you lot seriously telling me that you don’t answer doorknocks, _even without knowing who is there_, and don’t answer the phone unless there are three secret rings and a special password on the answering machine? =points and laughs at the guy Not In The Secret Club= ---
**Author:** ![OtakuLoki](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ac8455/32.png) [@OtakuLoki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OtakuLoki)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2005, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-christs-sake-stop-coming-to-our-house/319516/39 "2005-09-01T14:19:59Z")
**lissa** , you go! Umm… **Lynn** , I believe I’ve already made you one of my heroes, but if not, that answering the door in underwear and gun certainly puts you on the list. Wow! **kambuckta** - When I lived in NYC area I was working rotating shifts. That is I got up around 2 in the afternoon, went to work at three, and got home at 3 in the morning. For some silly reason I felt no reason to answer the door if someone knocked at 9 or 10 in the morning. And would get grumpy if they persisted. Yes, I was considered anti-social by my neighbors. But, I considered them rude asshats. 9 or 10 in the morning, for me, was the equivalent of being visited at 5 or 6 for most people. Why should I cater to their desires? It’s not about adrenaline, nor being paranoid. It’s simply, as **lissa** said, a belief that John Q Public does not have an _absolute_ obligation to my time, at his convenience. ---
**Author:** ![kambuckta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/53a042/32.png) [@kambuckta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kambuckta)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2005, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-christs-sake-stop-coming-to-our-house/319516/40 "2005-09-01T14:28:15Z")
> [@FordPrefect](#): > > Nice. After I get all sarcastic and shit, you go and get all rational. Bastard. 😛 I think the term is _Bitch,_ actually. 😃 I’ve got girlie bits. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-christs-sake-stop-coming-to-our-house/319516.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-christs-sake-stop-coming-to-our-house/319516.md?page=3)