Strangers at the door

I ask them if they can read, pointing to the signs on the door and if they don’t read them, say that my taxpayer’s contribution to their education has been totally wasted. Then I tell them to bugger off...it also works on SNP canvassers.

My daughter arrived on my doorstep at the same time as two people rang the doorbell. She asked if she could help them. One told her no one had answered. She asked who they were and they said JW,s . My daughter replied, well I expect thats why my mother isnt opening the door then. She said they didnt look too pleased. LOL

I agree vickymeldrew. As to sellers at the door I feel quite sorry for some of them. A friend's grandson was unemployed and had to take a job as a double glazing salesman. It was awful, they were dropped in a strange area, out all day in all weathers and were paid a pittance if they didn't achieve any contacts. He left as soon as he could. I therefore try to be kind to sellers when I refuse them.

One of the worst behaved children in the primary school where was I was the headteacher came from a JW family. His language was foul, unusual for the area, and I was always convinced he had been going round people's houses with his family and had heard that language from householders trying to get them to go away.

You are not being rude, telling callers like these that you are not interested in whatever they are selling, or their religious or political views.

You have a sign on your door, which they chose to ignore, so don't worry any more about it. I have found that I often have to be ruder than I would like to be understood at all by cold callers, either at the door or on the phone.

There is one, and only one, very good way of getting rid of Jehovah's Witnesses, or Mormons. Do as I, open the door, smile and tell them you are a practising Catholic, then close the door.

If any of you happen to be observant Jews , that will work as well, at least it did for a friend of mine.

Like Bonnie, I answer the door and tell them that we belong to the Church in our village and then they go away.

Two Jehovah's Witnesses with ? 5 year old child at the door
Husband usually refuses to engage in any way with them. This time he pointed out that it was against the law to proselytise with a child aged less than 12. I do not know if that was true but they left pretty quickly before he should phone the police as he suggested he might.... we have had no further visits from their band

I never ever open or even answer the door to strangers as I’m mostly at home on my own. If I think it might be important I will ask who it is out of the window. If it’s obviously a delivery that I’m expecting it’s a different matter.

My son in law is an athiest and loves debating with any religious people who knock at the door. I have seen him in action and actually feel sorry for them as their initial excitement at getting someone to talk to them gradually fades and they begin to look increasingly desperate to get away ?

When I lived in a town I used to get them knocking. I used to say to them that they had to listen to me first as they were in my space. I would talk about life the universe and everything that could be out there. Strangely they always made excuses to leave after several minutes. It worked every time...

Why are some responders on here so aggressive? There’s no need to be so nasty to people who knock on your door. Either don’t answer (its your front door, you can do what you like) or say thanks but no thanks. Some of you sound like my namesake. Victor Meldrew !

I used to work with a young girl who was a JW, she decided to drop out of the church when she turned 18 and the whole congregation shunned her, even her own family she lived with only spoke to her if they had to and when visitors called it was as though she wasn't in the room. She ended up leaving home and she was discouraged from visiting. If they call that being Christian, they can keep it, I call it hypocracy.

...... or, if someone at the door is trying to sell you double glazing (which they can blatantly see that we have) I tell them they’ll have to get in touch epithet the landlord/ council, or whatever makes them think you don’t own your own house! Soon gets rid of ‘em.

If it was the JW Godsquad you can ask to be fake off their list. I did this and no more calls for a long while. One did knock once to ask whether being off their list still applied, on confirming that no more calls.

I dont answer the door unless I recognise the face or the car. Your door , so you don’t have to answer it! Same with unlisted phone numbers... just don’t answer them. If it’s hospital , they’ll leave a message saying they will call back. Doc tor’s calls are usually scheduled or expected. No matter for me as I have a strong will.... and as soon as someone says “I’m not trying to sell you something”.....which of course they are , I just say “ no thank you I’m busy” ...and hang up. How difficult is it, or have you all been brought up too polite for your own good?!

I told the last one I was an Atheist but she still wanted to try and 'convert me' I had an answer for everything she threw at me, I think I might have made a convert to Atheism

Minniemoo your post about looking like a zombie made me laugh. Well maybe you should answer the door anyway, you might scare them off! But on second thoughts it probably wouldn't bother them as they are too thick skinned. I was caught unawares a few years ago because I was in the back garden when I saw 2 men coming down the path. They said we are selling house alarms. So I said well we are moving house (we wren't). So one of them said well you can take it with you. So I said well we don't want one. On the end of our drive there is a notice on a lampost saying no uninvited traders. I t doesn't make a scrap of difference.

JW’s normally have children with them for various reasons .

Hardly ‘dragging’ a child around with them they are either of walking age or in a pushchair , do them good to be out and about .

I just say I attend a church thank you and they say thanks and leave .

I just hide .?

I just tell them I'm an atheist and that I also support Nigel and Trump so they know I'm a lost cause!!

Recently I was met by JW while on holiday, we were sitting enjoying the sun when approached, I said politely I am a Catholic, and then the person was so enthusiastic as "we have so much in common"Better keep quiet next time.

I can usually spot them coming as I live in a close so you can't park directly outside my door.
Only once when 2 women came to my door and asked me if I had thought about the state of the world, did I say" yes I have and unless you can tell me a way for all manufacturers to stop putting everything in plastic, countries sticking to agreements to cut their carbon emissions, and stop people like yourselves making unsolicited calls at my door, I'm sorry but I don't have time to worry further" and closed the door.

I always say politely "Thank you, but I am a Catholic and go to church regularly," This is true. They smile and leave.

As for why they do it, it is in their religion to try to instruct people about God etc. So don't blame them, they probably don't like to do it, and probably get a lot of abuse, but they have to.

Sara65.
So how did you resolve your 'mistake'.?
Just when I thought it ' safe to go back into the water' once again they are back and ready to' haul me into their nets'

I have a No cold Caller notice on my door. One day a window salesman called and when I pointed out the notice to him answered that it was a cold day and he was very cold!