# Wife hates it when I LIE to door-to-door salesmen. **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 23, 2011, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wife-hates-it-when-i-lie-to-door-to-door-salesmen/597330 "2011-09-23T14:41:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Bearflag70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Bearflag70](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bearflag70)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2011, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wife-hates-it-when-i-lie-to-door-to-door-salesmen/597330/41 "2011-09-23T17:00:05Z")
By sheer coincidence, a JW came to my door as I was reading this thread. “I’m not interested but thank you and good luck.” [Close door gently ignoring any response.] Her response was, “OK, thank you” as she turned to walk away. ---
**Author:** ![JThunder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e95f7d/32.png) [@JThunder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JThunder)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2011, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wife-hates-it-when-i-lie-to-door-to-door-salesmen/597330/42 "2011-09-23T17:01:29Z")
> [@MsWhatsit](#): > > You’re wussing out, but I wouldn’t feel too bad about it personally. You do what you gotta do. The thing is, you don’t have to lie. ---
**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2011, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wife-hates-it-when-i-lie-to-door-to-door-salesmen/597330/43 "2011-09-23T17:07:10Z")
> [@YogSosoth](#): > > Answer the door naked. Or in a major \ outfit. ---
**Author:** ![colonial](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/34f0e0/32.png) [@colonial](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/colonial)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2011, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wife-hates-it-when-i-lie-to-door-to-door-salesmen/597330/44 "2011-09-23T17:08:56Z")
Tell the next one to “f\*ck off” and see if the wife likes that better. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2011, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wife-hates-it-when-i-lie-to-door-to-door-salesmen/597330/45 "2011-09-23T17:22:58Z")
> [@JThunder](#): > > The thing is, you don’t have to lie. True, you don’t **have** to, but in the case of door-to-door salesmen, telemarketers, or other people who show up in your life without invitation in order to try to make a buck off of you, there’s no reason why you **shouldn’t**. They’re not going to play fair, so there’s no reason why _you_ should feel obligated to. I agree that saying, “I’m not interested,” and shutting the door, works quite well once you get the hang of it. But most of us are strongly conditioned to tell that salesman “I’m not interested” at an appropriate place in the conversation. The salesman is trained to keep such an opening from occurring, so it comes down to a choice between lying and overcoming one’s conditioning. I’ve long since overcome mine, and will simply talk over the salesperson to tell him goodbye, and shut the door in his face or hang up (in the case of telemarketers) while they’re talking. But it took a bit of doing to get to this point. I don’t see why people are being so hard on those who choose the lying option. ---
**Author:** ![Bearflag70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Bearflag70](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bearflag70)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2011, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wife-hates-it-when-i-lie-to-door-to-door-salesmen/597330/46 "2011-09-23T17:34:15Z")
> [@Bearflag70](#): > > By sheer coincidence, a JW came to my door as I was reading this thread. > > “I’m not interested but thank you and good luck.” [Close door gently ignoring any response.] > > Her response was, “OK, thank you” as she turned to walk away. I should add that I interrupted her introductory monologue to close off the conversation asap. I used to wait for a pause in the conversation to tell them no until I discovered that there would be no pause for quite some time if I just let them ramble. Then I would feel bad I let them go through their entire pitch knowing that I was just going to shoo them away. Now, I feel better about cutting them off early because it saves us both time and effort, allowing us both to more quickly move on. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2011, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wife-hates-it-when-i-lie-to-door-to-door-salesmen/597330/47 "2011-09-23T18:09:19Z")
I have always found that the trap door down to the tank with the kraken in it always works. Saves on KrakenChow, too. ---
**Author:** ![AndyLee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/898d66/32.png) [@AndyLee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AndyLee)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2011, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wife-hates-it-when-i-lie-to-door-to-door-salesmen/597330/48 "2011-09-23T18:23:25Z")
Come on there’s lying and lying, you have to be realistic about things. All lies are not the same and people who think otherwise, are only entitled to being wrong. I had an employee that was way overweight and he used to ask me, “Does this suit make me look fat.” He was 5’5" and weighed over 250 pounds. I said, “no, you look fine.” This is an example of being realistic. Come on, he knows darn well he’s overweight. He doesn’t need me saying, “no you look fat.” If youi’re 5’5" and weigh more than 250 pounds you know darn well you’re overweight without anyone telling you. So why push the issue. Life is too short, I said, “you look fine,” and let it drop. Now if he asked me should he lose weight because he is always having trouble catching his breath? I would give an entirely different answer. Because whether you look good or not in a suit is trivial in the long run. If you can’t breathe, nothing else matters. ---
**Author:** ![Full\_Metal\_Lotus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/df705f/32.png) [@Full\_Metal\_Lotus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Full_Metal_Lotus)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2011, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wife-hates-it-when-i-lie-to-door-to-door-salesmen/597330/49 "2011-09-23T18:43:26Z")
I enjoy messing with them. Our home is situated so that we can often see them working their way down the street. It gives me chance to prep. Grin You want to know what makes them go away really fast? Opening the door with ketchup smeared hands, a ketchup smeared cleaver, messy hair, wild eyes and panting. Look at them and saying"Oh SHIT!.. Not another ONE! I guess you better come in…" look panicked and say “Hurry! Did anyone see you…? Get in here!” ---
**Author:** ![Borzo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/43a26b/32.png) [@Borzo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Borzo)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2011, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wife-hates-it-when-i-lie-to-door-to-door-salesmen/597330/50 "2011-09-23T18:47:18Z")
I only open my front door when I’m expecting someone. The polite thing to do is call the person you’re visiting before showing up at the their door. I follow that rule, and expect others to do the same. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2011, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wife-hates-it-when-i-lie-to-door-to-door-salesmen/597330/51 "2011-09-23T18:53:17Z")
> [@Borzo](#): > > I only open my front door when I’m expecting someone. > > The polite thing to do is call the person you’re visiting before showing up at the their door. I follow that rule, and expect others to do the same. Glad to see I’m not alone. I had a salesman approach me once as I was mowing the lawn. I told him I did not see callers unannounced. He asked how to arrange to be seen. I told him to call me. He asked for my number. I told him I only gave it out to people I wanted to have it. ---
**Author:** ![PunditLisa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/4af34b/32.png) [@PunditLisa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PunditLisa)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2011, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wife-hates-it-when-i-lie-to-door-to-door-salesmen/597330/52 "2011-09-23T19:23:22Z")
We just don’t answer the door. The few occasions that I’ve been caught (e.g. I’m coming home with groceries or the phone number they’re calling on is private), I tell them that my uncle does whatever they’re selling. "Yeah, I would but my uncle (is a roofer/a lawn guy/an asphalt replacer/a tree trimmer/a curb house number painter/a magazine seller). He’s a jack of all trades really. ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2011, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wife-hates-it-when-i-lie-to-door-to-door-salesmen/597330/53 "2011-09-23T19:43:26Z")
> [@SmellMyWort](#): > > Next time make her answer the door and deal with them. That’s what I thought. Next time one comes to your door, say “honey it’s for you” and go watch TV. ---
**Author:** ![Death\_of\_Rats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a6a055/32.png) [@Death\_of\_Rats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Death_of_Rats)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2011, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wife-hates-it-when-i-lie-to-door-to-door-salesmen/597330/54 "2011-09-23T20:14:02Z")
> [@Tapioca\_Dextrin](#): > > I think I’ll try that next time. Even if they’re trying to sell a vacuum cleaner. Careful. As my Jewish wife and daughter have learned, that is sometimes all the encouragement they need to try to convert you. Usually with the idea that if they just witness to you long and hard enough you will see the light. ---
**Author:** ![Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tapioca_Dextrin)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2011, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wife-hates-it-when-i-lie-to-door-to-door-salesmen/597330/55 "2011-09-23T20:17:51Z")
That’s a hard core vacuum cleaner salesman! ---
**Author:** ![Igrapeape](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Igrapeape](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Igrapeape)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2011, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wife-hates-it-when-i-lie-to-door-to-door-salesmen/597330/56 "2011-09-23T20:21:33Z")
Second this… > [@kayaker](#): > > Why even answer the door? I don’t. My friends all know to call me, not to just drop by, cause I never answer the door unless I’m expecting someone. ---
**Author:** ![Kalypso](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/df705f/32.png) [@Kalypso](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalypso)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2011, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wife-hates-it-when-i-lie-to-door-to-door-salesmen/597330/57 "2011-09-23T20:41:44Z")
I just tell them, “I’m sorry, but I don’t have any money.” They’re usually shocked enough by the frankness of the statement that they just go away. If they try and persist, saying whatever they have is free or whatever, I tell them, “Seriously, I’m a waste of your time, you’ll have better luck just moving on.” and that hasn’t failed to work yet. ---
**Author:** ![chizzuk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e36b37/32.png) [@chizzuk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chizzuk)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2011, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wife-hates-it-when-i-lie-to-door-to-door-salesmen/597330/58 "2011-09-23T20:54:41Z")
My apartment building does not allow solicitors, so I don’t have to deal with this. My parents get a fair number, though, and simply don’t answer the door. They just calmly sit by the window in plain sight, doing whatever they were doing, while the guy knocks and knocks and finally gives up. My younger brother used to screw with salesmen. His favorite ones involved either volunteering to answer a survey and then giving completely absurd answers (like that he owned 35 VW Beetles), or telling the salesman that the person they are asking for is dead and they have just brought up traumatic flashbacks, replete with hysterical sobbing. ---
**Author:** ![Bearflag70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Bearflag70](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bearflag70)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2011, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wife-hates-it-when-i-lie-to-door-to-door-salesmen/597330/59 "2011-09-23T21:11:17Z")
> [@Kalypso](#): > > I just tell them, “I’m sorry, but I don’t have any money.” … If they try and persist, … I’d be afraid that’s an invitation to persist. “That’s why we’re offering you this amazing special limited time discount price.” “You’ll actually be _saving_ money!” “It pays for itself.” “It’s less than the cost of a latte per day!” “It’s worth the peace of mind.” “Other people pay $\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ for this kind of thing.” Blah. Blah. Blah. ---
**Author:** ![limegreen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/82dd89/32.png) [@limegreen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/limegreen)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2011, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wife-hates-it-when-i-lie-to-door-to-door-salesmen/597330/60 "2011-09-23T21:17:36Z")
Usually they ring the doorbell, a serious no-no to anyone to knows us. It severely annoys the pit, who is then raging at the door with teeth bared and slobber flying. The sight of me barely opening the door while blocking the entrance with my body and hanging on to the pit’s collar usually deflates any urge to linger. She really is a marshmallow to people she knows, but strangers (esp. men) tick her right off. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wife-hates-it-when-i-lie-to-door-to-door-salesmen/597330.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wife-hates-it-when-i-lie-to-door-to-door-salesmen/597330.md?page=4)