Strangers at the door

My Jehovah witness man has come to mine for the last almost 30 years.

We've seen each other through thick and thin, shared our sadness at times and our joys at other.

It was the first time last visit that he mentioned everlasting life - took him long enough!

I wouldn’t be rude to anyone calling. However I will look to see if I know the person/people and if I don’t then I don’t open the door. My home, my choice.

I have a sticker on the door.
Red hand with Stop
wrote underneath and
No salespeople
No Canvassers
No Religious callers

About twice a year 2 very posh and genteel old ladies come knocking. I don`t know which religion they represent, but I always refuse their leaflets and say "No thank you", but back they come again a few months later.

JWs truly believe that you can have a glorious afterlife if you are a JW, so they want everyone to have a chance at that.
They don't believe in eternal hell, tho, just that you perish like a stick in the flames.

Ah but apparently, according to JWs, there is a limit to the number of people who can go to heaven and that limit has already been exceeded - so, hey, let us eat drink and be merry! - and head to stickdom.

If it's religion then I am very short with them; I do not want people knocking on my door trying to convert me, so I just open the door and say ' are you religion?' if they answer in the affirmative I ask them to never call again.

I now tell JWs I am a staunch Catholic- the last time I was in a church other than weddings and funerals was when I was 17 and shocked my mother telling her I would not be going any longer.

Now if somebody tries to sell something such as replacement double glazing I say "we" rent the house and I do not know where the landlord lives- that gets rid of most.

JWs were very helpful for my mother, many years ago, after she was attacked in the street and suffered terrible agoraphobia. She didn't go out of the house for nearly a year. They visited her regularly and eventually coaxed her out and, eventually she was fine. She did go to their Kingdom Hall for about a year until dad put his foot down about her going around doors, with me in a pushchair, so she ended up going to her local church instead. For that reason, I'm always polite to them as a thank you for their help, all those years ago. We don't have to be unkind to say No ?

Years ago my sister in law was going through a divorce and was probably at her lowest. She answered the door to Jehovahs Witnesses. Long story short she invited them in and was soon converted as she felt that they “understood her” and she felt “part of a family again”

I tell people, who maybe not confident in self-defence etc to put an underarm deodorant spray by the door. Thus you can spray in the mouth/eyes of any person who starts to be forceful at your door. Another good trick is to shout out a mans name as in .... "Hang on Brian, there is someone at the door"!!!! Very loud. This is, in fact, a normal thing to do, we do this. Chain links are good.

We often get them round here. I think they are quite courageous going out knocking on doors for something they believe. They are just human beings, and usually polite as some have said. I am a humanist so do not support their views, but they are trying to live this life in the best way that they can, arn't we all, so I don't feel cross when they come?

Johno that is assault, a criminal offence and should only be used as serious self defence and not to people who just call at your door.

If you call the local kingdom hall ask not to be called on they put you on the list did this not had a knock on 19 years. As for other callers, add this to you sign saying no cold callers All ID will be checked by phone and smile you are on camera . Only person who ever knocked was parish councillor who wanted to photograph the sign

What you have to watch for is the ones who try to get in the house to steal , usually in pairs , one want to use the phone (in this day and age ?) , a drink of water so you go in the kitchen , chum sneaks up the stairs ............... you get the picture ? this is why people are nervous of unexpected callers

Must agree it sounds like Jehovah's witnesses- they usually use children to get you to open the door. If my eldest son opened the door to them he would say 'I give blood' soon sees them off!

I have a NO cold callers sticker on my door.

Since my husband died I rarely open the door( especially of an evening) as family and friends usually call to say they are on their way

We have a Kingdom Hall just around the corner and over the years many calls, sometimes I answer , mostly not, but have noticed they are now bringing children / elderly ladies with sticks for whatever reason I’m not sure,

My mother used to say that she was jewish or a practising satanist.
I just say that I amnot interested and close the door.

Found a good way to get rid of unwanted callers. Open my window while telling my non existent dog to get down. Then when they start trying to convince me to open my door depending on what they are selling I tell them I only rent. If religious I tell them I am Pagan. Whichever excuse it gets rid of them.

Probably JWs. Often around our area. I used to open the door nod politely and take the phamphlet.
.now I don’t answer the door. I remember years ago when my son was still living with us they knocked on the door and asked for him. He wasn’t in and when he came home I told him they had called and he said he often had a chat with Cynthia he did like a debate our son.

Johno you say in another post that you’re a former policeman. If this is true, why are you recommending assault on this thread and supporting racist and violent thugs on others?

We have a sign on the door saying "no cold callers". A religious lot rang the doorbell and hubby pointed to the sign. The woman said "that doesn't apply to religious callers". We couldn't believe her cheek. About twice a year they arrive in our area. Woman in frumpy skirts, men in suits, and little boys in suits. I no longer open the door to them.

When I used to work in a Catholic secondary school, though not RC myself, I found that got rid of religious cold callers. I open the door, tell them that and say goodbye. (It also gets rid of unwanted political callers too, they do not want to talk to teachers)

Sound like Jehova’s Witnesses. I find they usually have a child with them, probably to put you off your guard. Have a soy home I. Your door, and only open it to people you know.

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!