<p>So here we sit watching football in our upstairs bonus room on a cold, rainy day and the doorbell rings. I don’t move to go down and answer it, and neither does DH. The only one who stirs is the dog, and only enough to raise his head and bark once. We’re not expecting company, nor are we expecting a package. I treat the doorbell (or a knock at the door) much like I do a ringing phone … I’m not obligated to answer. Our neighborhood has a sign at the entrance which clearly states there is no solicitation, yet it is frequently ignored. </p>
<p>No, I don’t. We have cameras as part of our security system so I can see who it is and if I need to answer. Our doorbell rings through on the phone as an intercom system so I can also just choose to answer that way. I don’t like door-to-door solicitations and if it’s one of my Ds dropping by unexpectedly, well, they all have keys!</p>
<p>Not always, though I do usually. I work as a leasing agent/assistant manager in an apartment complex. I live here, too, because of the rental discounts. </p>
<p>The residents know I live here, though most don’t know which apartment.</p>
<p>I answer the door if I am the on call person and I think it is a resident with an issue.</p>
<p>Yes, I generally do if home, but if it is a solicitor or religious organization I do not invite them in or even give them any time – tell them they are welcome to leave material but I do not engage. My neighbors and friends would generally call before coming over, but there is always the possibility of one stopping by without advance notice.</p>
<p>The other possibility is neighborhood kids selling Girl Scout cookies or somesuch. I do give them a* little* business (like to keep some chocolate mints in my freezer and like to be mildly supportive of the kids).</p>
<p>We also get some political door-to-door visitors at election time and I will accept their material and listen to what they have to say. Often it is people running for a local office and I appreciate their efforts.</p>
<p>Yes, I live in a neighborhood, and am actively involved with events and the people surrounding me. It could be someone wanted to borrow a food item, or a tool. Even if pesky solicitations for organizations, I can wish them well as I send them away. </p>
<p>Years ago, a neighbor who worked for the court system was attacked on her front porch. She said there was no one to ask for help, no lights on in surrounding houses as she fell down her front stairs and went looking for assistance. For years after, I kept my front porch light on all the time, just for neighborhood lighting. Now have morphed to the little solar lights by the front walk. Regardless, I want my home to be a place of care, not coldness. The door is usually locked, for safety, but I open, if carefully, when the bell is rung.</p>
<p>I answer the doorbell when I know who is ringing it. I don’t feel any obligation to answer for those hocking their religious beliefs, or for any other strangers.</p>
<p>We don’t answer the doorbell. Even if they’re services, we don’t answer it. </p>
<p>Our neighborhood doesn’t get many if any solicitors because 1) We have a sign discouraging solicitation and 2) The property is gated.</p>
<p>The neighborhood is well lit and plenty of people have their outdoor lights on. Just from living in our house for so long, I know which houses always have people in them so if I needed assistance, I’d know which houses I’d have the best luck with.</p>
<p>I was brought up to not answer the door unless I know who it is, and that is what I have taught my children. Lately, though, there have been burglary rings that knock on front door to test if someone is home before breaking in So now I’m conflicted.</p>
<p>My area has been experiencing that, too. There’s not much you can do. Even if you were gone from your home and they knock…no one is home to answer.</p>
<p>We open if my fiance is home (out of curiosity, not obligation), if I am home alone I never answer. I would like to answer for my neighbors, but I don’t even know what any of them look like. I am hoping to install an intercom. We were actually talking about this yesterday because a scruffy looking guy rang the bell while fiance was out and I almost wanted to answer hoping he was someone selling snow shoveling services, but I didn’t answer (turned out to be a window guy, he left a pamphlet.) I was saying it’d be nice to have an intercom where I can record a male voice telling whoever it is to go away so they don’t know I am home alone.</p>
<p>I am paranoid but I am very conscious of the fact that anyone who watches my house for a day or two knows that I am always the only one home at a certain time of day, and it kind of freaks me out. I like to take precautions. I’ve gone as far as to put fiance’s shoes in plain sight when I open the door for delivery men so they think he is home, too.</p>
Ditto, thumper! I’ll take a peek through the living room window but won’t open the door unless I know the person standing there.</p>
<p>We don’t always answer the landline phone, either. No caller ID, but anyone we’d really need to talk to has our cell numbers or can leave a message.</p>
<p>I always answer the door. We got a lot of knocks while the house next door was up for sale and people wanted to ask questions.</p>
<p>Long ago when my oldest daughter was a preschooler there were two elderly men who stopped by every other month to try to save my immortal soul. I admired their tenacity but finally had enough. The last time they came my kid was running around naked and wanted to answer the door… they never returned.</p>
<p>If my husband is home, he answers. If he is not then no one does because only my husband can be sure that my vicious dog doesn’t get out. The kids next door constantly kick their balls into our yard and I refuse to get them, so I don’t even go to the door when it is them.</p>
<p>I mostly don’t unless I am expecting something/someone. We live in a small subdivision 10 miles out of town, so most people don’t drop in uninvited. Our neighbors that we are close to will generally walk up and knock on the sliding glass door at the back of the house. My husband is more likely to answer if he hears it (which he mostly does not).</p>
<p>I can see who is at the front door through my dining room or kitchen window. If I don’t know them, it’s not UPS and it’s obvious it’s a salesperson, I generally don’t answer. Sometimes I just answer through the closed door, “Sorry, but we’re not interested.” They usually leave their material. I have lived here over 20 years and not once has someone I don’t know who shows up at the door been someone I would have welcomed talking to.</p>