Are you nice to people who ring your doorbell at 10AM and try to save you?

[sammytko]

I finally had it. No more ms. nice girl. The jW's come by about every 3 weeks. I finally told them I don't go to my own church (Catholic) and I don't believe in god or anything else up in the sky. I only did this after she tred to read to me from the bible.

If i wanted to go to church I would go.

I have such an inviting porch, she was probably confused.

I swear I am installing a camera and intercom and tell them to just go away - unless you are with Schwann's, UPS, FedEx or were expected!

[alphafemale]

1. they see even the smallest politeness as encouragement

don't even take their stupid literature.

though the little Morman boys are fun to mess with if you're in the mood and have even a modest knowledge of the bible.

i feel kinda sorry for those guys though. they're so young and prohibited for contacting their family for the duration of their "mission"...so i'm not too mean...

[gratuitous]

2. That happened to me one Saturday morning

I was dressed in jeans and little else, fixing breakfast in the kitchen. Roommates watching cartoons in the living room when the doorbell rings. I'm closest to the door, so I go, shirtless holding a brick of cheddar. Two freshly scrubbed smiling faces are at the door when I open it. "Hi!" they began in the most annoyingly chirpy voices you can imagine on a Saturday morning. I interrupted them and said, "Jehovah's Witnesses?" They smiled broader in the affirmative, and in my best Archie Bunker, I swung the door closed in their faces as I turned to go back to the kitchen to finish making breakfast.

I was about as polite as I could have been.

[Arugula Latte]

3. I don't have the guts to do this, but

my husband's friend once met some Wits' at the door nekkid and eating a chicken leg. He told them it was "Jesus Meat" and asked them if they'd like some. They could not get the hell off that porch fast enough.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

44. I am ROFL just imagining that.

"Jesus meat"! :rofl:

[Iggo]

4. Big smile and a "No, thank you" and it's over in 5 seconds.

As polite as I can make it, yet inevitably rude. But they started it.

[Demoiselle]

37. Speed is of the essence.

If there are J W's at my front door (I can see through the side windows) I open the door quickly, smile, say thank you but no thank you and shut the door before they can open their mouths. (Even if they can get their mouths open, it doesn't matter because the door's already shut.)
All other hucksters get "go away" sign language through the side windows.
I am assisted in all of this by my huge and big voiced Great Pyrenees dogs, who bark like the hounds of hell whenever anybody comes to the door. (The folks on the other side have
no way of knowing that the doggies are all bark. And I ain't about to tell them.

[seabeyond]

5. not only am i nice, but i tell them to have a seat as I preach to THEM, lol lol.

and i dont let them leave. lol. they start inching away and i will block them. ok, not quite that bad, but it is hard for them to leave while i am in the middle of so many sentences. they are (insert religion), after all.

i begin with.... i am sooooo mad at religion and i feel as a fellow christian i have a responsibility to speak out to my fellow christians

then i tell them my bitch

i had one jw or mormon keep coming back bringing different people to save me. finally brought the top dude and he concluded, sounds to me like you are doing it right. dont think there is anything we need to help you with. he was the funniest.

kids, old people, men, women.... doesnt matter. i chat with them all

but those young kids traveling to sell shit.... get off my fuckin lawn. lol

[Iggo]

6. Yeah, the little travelers.

Kid: "I go to (local) High School and I..."

Me: "Really? So does my kid. Let's see some I.D."

I don't care that they're selling stuff. I do care that they're obviously lying to me. No Sale.

[carlyhippy]

48. oh man, I hate the magazine sellers pretendin to be kids in hs selling

I had one who tried to get me out of 68.00 for 1 magazine for a year, thankfully someone in town called the police to see if their company had a business permit for our city, I guess they didn't, they quickly left town.

[seabeyond]

57. they sell magazines or a miracle cleaner. they say from inner city "ghetto". play all the cards

wont back off. have their speal and has gotten to very disrespectful in face.

i will get two, three because they are dumped in neighborhoods.

[Roon]

18. My grandmother invites them in

she loves talking to them

[seabeyond]

24. i really enjoy it too. i have yet to have one do anything but end up agreeing

that christianity today is causing anger and hate, ect... and the right is being hypocritical in their use of religion in politics and for political gain

[stray cat]

7. or those who try to get you to support their political candidate?

[GoCubsGo]

40. The last time a repug came to my door...

...I told him I would not vote for him or anyone else in his party if someone held a gun to my head. Then I told him to get off of my property. That was right after one of Dickwad Cheney's caused the situation which got me and my former co-workers laid off. He's lucky I only told him to fuck off.

[seabeyond]

45. i love talking to the republicans that come knockin on my door too. i get to tell them LOTS

they arent aware of and why i will not ever vote their party. little nuggets to go into their head that they hear from no one. again, we talk on the porch for a while and they do not get to run away.

[elleng]

8. I don't (didn't) tell them about myself, or beliefs; just polite, 'No thanks.'

Husb went thru long song and dance with them, hence their regular visits.

[Lucian]

9. Fuck no.

[rucky]

10. Only if they're saving me because my house is on fire. n/t

[CaliforniaPeggy]

11. We installed an intercom, and it has saved us from that horror!

That little device has kept those people from bothering us.

I recommend it!

[sammytko]

20. As soon as they left I looked up cameras and intercoms.

We have cameras on the driveway, but not the door and that is how they snuck up on us!

I found some solar powered ones and that might do the trick.

[GoCubsGo]

43. Peep holes work really well, too.

If you look through that peep hole and see two clean-cut, young men in white shirts on the other side of the door, you just don't open the door. That way, you don't even have to deal with them. Ditto for Caller ID and telemarketers.

[theNotoriousP.I.G.]

12. Funny thing happened....

About two days after my husband passed away, out of the blue, the Mormons rang my door bell. A couple of young lads, (one of whom was from my state back in the U.S. and I live in a building where you have to ring my specific doorbell to get buzzed in so it was quite unusual)on their mission. They spoke to me in German and I told them that I was an American and my husband had just died and I really didn't want to talk to them at the time. They were so kind and said they would send a few "sisters" to see me in the coming days.

Over six months later now and the sisters who have come into my life I consider precious friends. I've been upfront with them and told them that I have no intentions of becoming a Mormon and they keep coming back and helping me. They walk my dog, they scrubbed my ceiling when I got mold in the bathroom, they have cleaned my house, sewn clothes that needed to be mended and now they are helping me move.

I've never been a religious person and I probably never will but the happiness it brings these wonderful women to HELP ME is quite amazing.

[Ptah]

14. .

:hug:

[theNotoriousP.I.G.]

26. ...

:hug: thanks Ptah.

[Ptah]

30. My Morman cousin did his mission in Germany about 30 years ago.

I like to think he would have helped you.


:thumbsup:

[kimi]

33. That's a heartwarming story, really.

I've never been a fan of these folks, but after reading that, I think I'll be more polite to them. Not interested, but more polite anyway. :)

[liberaltrucker]

47. Practicing what they preach

Cool.

:hug:

[Gormy Cuss]

13. Depends. If they take no for an answer the first time, yes.

Otherwise not so much.

[sarge43]

15. Spousal unit and I use to have an easy out when the JW start

Being both retired military, legally we're inactive reserve so unless we're convicted of a felony or renounce our citizenship, we're on the rolls forever and forever. Ergo, we can't follow their beliefs. I politely explain this to them; they have no answer to it and they go away.

However. Last October one of them showed up at the door. I began the rap and she tightened up and said, "I don't want to hear about your wicked government.", huffs and walked away.

So, a group shows this spring. I inform them of the above and tell them that me and mine gave up a lot to preserve, protect and defend that Constitution which guarantees their religious freedom. Further, no one comes to our door and insults that service. So, any of you come on our property again and I'll take out a complaint of trespassing.

[sammytko]

19. Oh good one, I'm retired Air Force and spouse is 100% DV

I'll have to tell them that.

[sarge43]

25. We're both Zoomies, too.

I'll be polite so long as they are, but I will go to TI mode when they're not. :hug: and :patriot:for spouse.

[Schema Thing]

50. First of all, that's a really great argument

I was raised as a JW, and that would have left me scratching my head.


But I have to say that the response you got "I don't want to hear about your wicked government." is REALLY odd. I never came across anyone in the religion who I think would respond that way; and they certainly aren't encouraged to respond that way.


OTOH, it IS approximately what Jehovah's Witnesses believe wrt government. And it the past, say 50 years ago or so, they were very vocal with such pronouncement.

[sarge43]

51. It isn't an argument; it's a fact.

Now, it's more likely a military retiree would be struck by lightening than be recalled, but it's a possibility.

Well, she had the tracts and she said she was JW. Maybe she was a free agent without the training. Frankly, I was shocked because all the JWs I've ever talked with have been very polite and reasonable.

[Schema Thing]

55. I meant argument in context of your discussion with a JW

It's not a conversation stopper they run into, so they don't have a ready answer.


Being IR doesn't really stop ex-military from joining the Jehovah's Witnesses (not that many of them would, but then again not many people from *any* walk of life convert to JW's). A Jehovah's Witness would refuse to serve.


She was probably just an odd duck and/or feeling her "spiritual" oats that day.

[sarge43]

56. Understand

Again, it's the possibility of recall. If recalled, two options: Refuse and that could mean some ugly disciplinary action with a likely other than honorable boot. Or apply for a discharge based on religious beliefs. Having processed a couple back when, it's not an easy out. The paperwork has to outweigh the applicant before it's even considered. In both cases all retirement bennies including pension go bye-bye.

Call me a materialist, but I'd have to experience a St Paul revelation before I'd choose to go either of those routes.

You're no doubt right about the woman and yes, I shouldn't judge a whole group by the actions of one individual. So, back to square one and if any JWs return, hello, but we're a bit of a waste of time.

[Roon]

16. I only get jw on christmas day

[gvstn]

17. My local LDS church

Always sends them out with small children in attendance. I usually am polite and let them read their two verses and hand me their literature. I consider telling them that I don't really like their religious philosophy having read a few of their little pamphlets but always just end up letting it go. One of these days I'll refuse the literature and tell them to save the paper for someone who will actually read it. Or maybe not.

[Name removed]

21. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[HopeHoops]

22. I monopolize the conversation and tell them all about Jesus and Revelation

Meanwhile, the 77 lb border collie and her side-kick sheltie bark like hell inside the screen door. What fun!

[proteus_lives]

23. Yes. Being rude doesn't hurt them. It just lowers you.

[sammytko]

28. Back at you dude! I like to be left alone!

Maybe I do need anger management classes, but I hate to be disturbed. I'm seriously considering going back to the VA. Two deployments probably did something to me.

[MiddleFingerMom]

27. Had a GF up in Michigan...

.
...divorced -- two beautiful little preschool girls.
.
Sweet, quiet, strong, highly ethical woman. Did I mention she was HOT?
.
I liked her.
.
.
.
She helped me break a bed once.
.
.
I liked her a LOT!!!
,
,
Raised in some religion I can't remember (didn't believe in blood transfusions)
and whose ex was some sort of deacon or junior pastor or something in the
church -- an up-and-comer destined for higher levels in the church hierarchy.
.
Used to BEAT the children -- a time or two with a belt buckle.
.
She went to the church elders for help. Was told a husband's family is his
inviolable domain -- that "he knew best". They were backed up on that by GOD!!!
.
.
She divorced him (couldn't get him prosecuted) and got a restraining order.
.
The church IMMEDIATELY told its members that she was inhabited by the
DEVIL and that they were to literally cross the street to get away if they
saw her coming. Only the church elders were equipped to deal with her.
.
.
She was DEVASTATED. Her whole life (including social) had been wrapped
up in that church. All of a sudden, she was shunned -- cut off from everybody
and everything familiar to her.
.
VERY good for her in the long run, but it took a lot of strength and a lot of
tears to get through it. A STRONG woman!!!
.
.
.
I was there once when two of the elders came to "save" her. I slammed them
BOTH up against the wall behind them and told them if they ever... EVER came
back to bother her, before they could deal with the Devil, they were going
to have to deal with a very angry, very violent ME.
.
.
.
I'm not a violent man at all (well... you know :rofl:). I would have hurt
those fuckers without losing a single wink of sleep.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
I guess what I'm saying in answer to your question is...
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
...no.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
To make a long story short (TOO LATE!!!!!).
.

[Mopar151]

29. My buddy Magnet Al says he's a "Christian Nudist"

Offers to pray with 'em, but he can only pray naked.......

[Heidi]

31. Yes, I am.

I'm also nice to telemarketers. I don't engage them and I make it clear from the onset that I'm not interested in what they're selling. But they're not malicious when they contact me, and I see no reason to be malicious in my reaction to them.

One thing I absolutely believe to be true: the only thing in life I can possibly (or even reasonably) hope to control is my own reaction.

[MiddleFingerMom]

32. In addition to "my own reaction" -- add to that...

.
.
.
.
.
..."my bodily functions for as long as humanly possible"...
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
...and I'm right there with you. :hi:
.

[Heidi]

35. Get my age

and certain bodily functions are not so easily controllable. I learned this Thursday afternoon, having sworn many years ago that I would never pay to use a restroom, when I found myself squirming and spelunking the depths of my handbag for CHF 1.50 outside the "pissoir" in the Zürich main train station after two cups of coffee, half a liter of water and a 1.5-hour train ride with a very clever and giggle-inducing 15-year-old niece.

[Heidi]

34. Wrong place. (nt)

[Crystal Clarity]

36. I had one stick his foot in the door when I tried to close it!

:grr:

It makes me mad to think of it now, but at the time I was only about 11 or 12, and it ruined my first experience of being home alone. I remember being so scared that my friend's father came over and walked me to my friend's house where I staid till my parents got home.

This was in the mid 70's and though my mother had warned me about umpteen million things before leaving, not opening the door to strangers was not one of them. I guess we didn't worry too much about that kind of stuff back then. :shrug:

[struggle4progress]

38. I generally tell the JW I admire their absolute pacifist antiwar stance,

chat a moment, point out I'm happy with my own church and am unlikely to become a JW since I disagree with them about some stuff (which I never specify), and wish them a great day. They usually leave, uninsulted and smiling

After extensive reading about Germany in the 30s and 40s, I think I'll add to my rap an appreciation of the JW's courage in refusing to cooperate with the Nazis -- things like refusal to give the stiff-arm salute got bunches of them beaten to death

[Initech]

39. The worst are the Bible thumpers hanging outside Angel Stadium before games.

They have huge signs reading "SINNERS GO TO HELL" and shit like that. Seriously I'm going to the game, not to church. If I wanted to go church I would.

[Callalily]

41. For some reason, my brother

always got Jehovah's Wittinesses at his door. Once he started answering the door "reading" Playboy they stopped coming around. Wonder why? :shrug:

[Call Me Wesley]

42. We rarely get them here.

They're pretty nice, and if I'm up for a little chat, I do it. They know they can't change me, I know I can't change them. All's fine. Plus I love the drawings in their 'Watchtower' magazines. Jeans in Paradise! I actually once had a chat about this with them, too.

[femmocrat]

46. We don't get them very often, but they do have a church around here somewhere.

It's such a hassle when anyone comes to the front door, because all three dogs want to see who is there. So I can only open the door about and inch and say, "I'm not interested". Then I shut the door before they can say a word.

[carlyhippy]

49. I had a whole carload come to my house JW

I didn't answer the door. They, of all things, SAT in the car in my driveway, for like 20 minutes, watching for movement around the windows in my house.

I make it a point to just not answer the door anymore if I don't personally know the person on the other side.

The JW still come to the house, they are now sticking flyers and the watchtower ( or whatever their newsletter is called) under my door.

[noamnety]

67. I'm surprised at how many people answer the door for them.

I don't open the door to strangers. I will look through a window and make sure it's not someone bleeding to death or some situation where I need to call 911. Or sometimes I might open an upstairs window and ask "can I help you?" But give random strangers access to my house so they can force their marketing campaign onto me whenever they demand access to my time? Nope.

It's no difference than using caller ID to screen calls. I just am missing whatever makes people feel obligated to be subjected to other people's marketing. I don't see that as rude, either. The rudeness is in interrupting people's home lives without knowing if they are sick, or if they work odd hours and you are waking them up and they won't be able to get back to sleep, etc - all because you decided you want to push something on them that they never asked for.

I hate the ones that lurk around spying on you. Feels like they are casing the joint to rob you ... if I had a carload in my driveway for 20 minutes I'd be tempted to call police and report suspicious activity.

[rurallib]

52. They always come to our front door. We never answer the front door.

People who know us come to the back door.

[Minimus]

53. Yes I am... I don't believe in their god or any

god for that matter but when the JWs and Mormons come around to share what they believe I respectfully listen and take their literature. I admire people that have that type of faith. To go out and "spread the word" even knowing that they may not be greeted very kindly takes courage and conviction. If I am going to bother answering the door it takes no more effort for me to be kind than to be rude. I know what they have to say is not going to change my mind or affect me in any way so I just let them do their thing and politely thank them for stopping by.

[WolverineDG]

54. Yes, there's enough negativity in this world

I don't need to add to it.

dg

[Withywindle]

58. Friend of a friend...

...so, you know, take it with a grain of salt...

so I heard, once answered the door buck naked, with an erection, with his four-foot-long pet iguana on his shoulder.


That took care of that.

Edit: So I heard, he was extremely courteous and polite in his manner. No need to be UNFRIENDLY to someone with the best of intentions, after all. They still never came back. :D

[oregonjen]

59. I finally put up a "No Soliciting" sign

Everything from religion to pest control at my door several times a week this summer has driven me over the edge. I finally broke down and got a very uninviting sign and have had no issues since. I highly recommend it. :hi:

[mulsh]

60. you decide: I tell them they've come at a bad time and close the

door. If they come back I tell them I am not at all interested.

Last week I did the above to a very persistent young man. He came back 3rd times. on the third time I told him " I am not interested at all. get the hell off my porch and don't come back."

I am not interested. I don't feel compelled to be too polite since I didn't ask them to come by. I don't want to waste their time but I don't want to be too rude. I view all sales people who come to my door uninvited in the same way. religious sales people included.

Much of my wife's family are Mormons. Her side despises Mormons with a virulence that scares this Irish Catholic boy at times, and we Irish Catholics know a thing or two about being hateful bigots. They are merciless when the Mormon Missionaries come by. I'm Emily Post compared to them.

[mnhtnbb]

61. I politely tell them, and anybody else who knocks on the door, to go away.

We don't respond to door to door solicitation--for anything.

[barb162]

62. I'm as pleasant as possible in cutting them short.

They know where I live.

[quakerboy]

63. I have never had them come by. Never once.

I lived right next door to their temple for a year. Always in urban areas. I always see them peddling around, but never at my door.

Yesterday I saw a little person Mormon with his partner, not a block from my home, going door to door. But not my door.

[old mark]

64. My doorbell is disconnected and I never answer the door after about 6 PM...

I have a large mean sounding dog who handles my late night callers.

Besides, these people LOVE to feel persecuted for
their "religious" beliefs, so I ignore them rather than abuse them...unless I am having a bad day.


mark

[csziggy]

65. The last time they came by, I was mucking out the barn

And really couldn't stop since it had to be finished in an hour. The two ladies that stopped by to share their religion were dressed in "church" clothes and here I was shoveling shit. I was pleasant but they did not seem to want to stick around. They have not been back.

[mitchum]

66. Very nice...I invite them to have sexual relations with me- "Blow me"