<p>I never answer the door if I am home alone and am not expecting someone. Then I watch from the window to make sure whoever it is leaves. Otherwise, I will answer the door after looking out a side pane of glass to make sure I recognize the person. When the children were little I could count on the person being another child, but now that they are older, I am more wary of opening the door.</p>
<p>If I’m dressed, I usually answer. I’m usually battling with the dog to keep him away from the door when I answer and I talk to the person through the screen door. What I hate is when I’m in my pajamas, watching TV in the living room with the big picture window there. They can see my head in the window as they come up to the house so they know I’m there. BUT, I may not be appropriately dressed to answer the door. Ugh. I don’t like intrusions.</p>
<p>Nope. In fact, the timing here is perfect. Earlier I was on the phone with my best friend, and the doorbell rang. Dog went ballistic. BF said, “you’re not going to answer it are you?” - Nope, not expecting anyone, and dog will be a good deterrent. It rang a second time, and I continued to ignore it. Whatever it is, you can leave it at the door, or you can just go away. I hardly answer the phone either. Anyone who wants me, can call my cell. Sometimes I don’t answer it either, except for DD, always answer for her. Always.</p>
<p>I was also raised to not answer the door to “strangers”</p>
<p>Do people not answer the door because they don’t want to bother or do they feel safer not to answer the door?</p>
<p>Both. </p>
<p>At least for me. </p>
<p>It takes too long to actually get the door open for a person who I don’t care for what they’re talking about.</p>
<p>For me a combo of “I don’t care” and “I feel safer” not answering the door.</p>
<p>I don’t know why people would feel safer about not answering the door. If someone really wants to do harm, it wouldn’t be that hard to get into any house.</p>
<p>Well most of my friends and my kids’ friends just knock and walk in, we only lock up at night or if away, really. Most people in this town don’t lock their doors at all.</p>
<p>We do have a large dog who “announces” visitors, however.</p>
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I simply don’t want to bother. I just don’t think there is a good enough reason to go to someone’s home unannounced. I do feel for those people who are in door-to-door sales, but not bad enough to answer the door. Honestly, I’m usually not presentable enough to even answer the door. When I’m at home, I like to be comfortable which means I usually remove my bra throw on a pair of shorts or sweats and a t-shirt. It’s not worth putting on a bra to answer the door.</p>
<p>So it is about if it is “bra worthy.” :)</p>
<p>Bra worthy - :D.</p>
<p>For me, it’s that I don’t want to be bothered for a stranger’s agenda. I’m always either doing something I really want to do, or something I really have to do. So the person who inconveniences me by dropping by uninvited should at the very least be an acquaintance, and preferably a neighbor or friend.</p>
<p>If I want to buy something, I’ll go to a store or order online. If I want to discuss religion, it won’t be with a random stranger on my doorstep. And I can’t bear the thought of a politician at my door. It’s better for everyone if I just don’t answer.</p>
<p>I always answer the door. I always look through our sidelights to see who it is, but even if it’s someone hawking girl scout cookies, I’d answer. Houses are relatively far apart, but we know everyone. Besides, we have a private police guard and they won’t allow solicitors. Goodness, we even leave our door unlocked when we go out, and keys in the car when we’re home.</p>
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<p>Do you live in Mayberry?</p>
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<p>I hope your insurance company isn’t reading this thread! ;)</p>
<p>We don’t lock our doors either.</p>
<p>The unknown knockers are almost always sales people - they want to cut trees, put down asphalt, sell me their frozen chicken, sell me magazines, convert me to their religion, etc. I really am not interested in carrying on polite conversations that I didn’t initiate. </p>
<p>Not to mention I’ve been caught in jammies before and panicked and said I was home sick - lol</p>
<p>I do like when they are selling chocolate. I think chocolate should be sold door to door on a daily basis.</p>
<p>"
I don’t believe people should go to other people’s house unannounced. When I used to live in a house, I used to answer the door and close it if I wasn’t expect them. I know this would sound awfully harsh on CC, but it included kids coming over to want to play. I had a kid come over to play because his sister was taking a nap. I turned him away because my kids were busy."</p>
<p>I agree. I hear of people who like that kids all congregate at their house unexpectedly. Not me. I like my privacy and quiet and I wouldn’t want my house full of people all the time.</p>
<p>Well, I lost my first attempt to post …think that was a message to me. At first I thought this was a silly question and my answer was “of course I’d answer the door if the bell rings, why wouldn’t I?” But looking at all the replies, I can see that isn’t a silly question at all and we really, really do live differently in different parts of the country. Wow, it’s common courtesy is to answer the door bell, right? Maybe not. And then of course you could be in fear to answer your own door…if that happens, I think it would be time for me to move. Very interesting responses to what I thought would be about 90% “of course I’d answer the door.”</p>
<p>I do answer my door, but it rings so infrequently it’s likely package delivery. Rarely solicitors, never neighbors. </p>
<p>What’s the point of not locking the door, though? I would have my home locked when I’m sitting in it, and if I’m not expecting to go in or out, I put the alarm on.</p>