to not want to let the gas/electric man into my house to read the meters

[tassisssss]

when it's 7.45pm, dark outside and I'm in on my own with sleeping babies?

(realise he's just doing his job, am I just being really pathetic?)

I've never come across anyone who doesn't answer the door before. Would you answer it to a friend or neighbour who was popping in, or is it just strangers?

DS has twice had to knock on strangers' doors - once when he came across a woman passed out in the street, and once when he saw a dog being knocked down. He's a tall teenager, and it makes me feel a bit sad that so many people would be scared to open their door to him.

As an aside, do you go to the door to tell people you're not opening it, or do you ignore it completely?

I would ignore it completely.

No Yanbu, I think he will understand and rather he was sent away then to come in and make you feel uncomfortable- to be honest I dont think they should come around that late.
I had a bogus gas-man once who I reported but this was a very very unusual case!!
Dont feel uncomfortable- I think you were wise x

Just personally AgentProv (are we related? ) I hate answering the door to anyone and I've always been like this.

I don't feel guilty about it and find it very easy to ignore the door or phone whenever they go.

Most people aren't bothered and would find it isolating and that's up to them, but I don't, it's not that I'm scared I just don't like contact with other people.

Hmm, you've made me think that I should get a chain or something on the door. There's always people at my door in the evening, usually the DCs friends. I always open it without thinking. I think I'm too nosy not to answer the door or phone - I'm scared I miss something!

(AgentZigzag, do we have the same spymaster...? )

You can read your own meters and they will never darken your door again!

I never let them in. I have to move furniture to do it so I phone them in to the automated service.

Perhaps that's some of it AgentP, I don't mind not knowing.

DH can't believe I can read half a book or watch half a film and if they're shit I don't need to find out what happens, he has to drag it on to the bitter end

(The weather is clement in Rome at this time of year )

Whereas I have wasted years of my life finishing crap books, that I didn't even enjoy the start of, and certainly had no interest in the ending of!

(I recommend the swordfish. It was freshly cuaght today.)

Even if you do read your own meter they still have a legal right to come in once a year to check your readings and make sure that you are not tampering with the meter.

I just don't understand why they can't make an appointment first!

I don't let anyone in if I am not expecting them. Same for just answering the door and even the phone if not convenient/in the mood/expecting someone. If it is important they will leave a message.