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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to not answer my front door just because someone is knocking?

39 replies

TimothyClaypoleLover · 07/09/2012 14:09

Gas man knocking at my door to read gas meter. Didn't fancy opening the door as feeding baby and next thing I know he is knocking on the windows and coming round the back of the house staring in at me looking most disgruntled. Surely as a homeowner if I don't want to answer my door I can bloody well ignore the knocking?

OP posts:
Noqontrol · 07/09/2012 14:10

Yes, theres no law that says you have to answer the door!!

OrangePlumPie · 07/09/2012 14:10

YY nor answer your phone!

RevDebeezWoodall · 07/09/2012 14:11

Yes just ignore. He'll come back another time or you could ring up to give a reading (can avoid unbelievably inflated estimated bills). If you're feeding the baby you have good reason not to jump up. I find it rude he stared in too.

Randomchocolatebiscuit · 07/09/2012 14:12

This once happened to me. The man came round the back, opened my back door and walked through my kitchen and into my living room to confront me on my sofa.

He'd got the wrong house, in the wrong street.

LaurieFairyCake · 07/09/2012 14:12

I don't answer if I'm not expecting them - I'd ignore them even if they banged on my windows.

Because I work at home (can't let them in when I'm with someone) I make an appointment every 2 years to have the meters inspected and read.

Rachog · 07/09/2012 14:13

I always feel guilty if I ignore the door, I have no idea why though.

Original poster
TimothyClaypoleLover · 07/09/2012 14:15

God, Random, I would have gone mental if he had let himself in the back door!

OP posts:
Goofus · 07/09/2012 14:16

Random Shock

I never answer the door if I'm not expecting somebody. It's nearly always sales person/ charity.

Abra1d · 07/09/2012 14:18

I had the same thing happen with the electricity meter man. Unfortunately he'd seen me standing by the front window (only place I can get a good mobile signal) so he knew I was there. I was actually talking to a new client.

I asked him if we could leave the meter reading for now as I was on a business call but he gave me a really angry look, so I walked off, left the door open, let him climb in over the hoover, which I hadn't had time to put away because of the work call, pointed to the meter and told him to help himself. It was obviously going to be easier that way. But so embarrassing when you're trying to have a work call with someone you don't know well.

AgentZigzag · 07/09/2012 14:18

Him being so persistent is intrusive, did you answer in the end then?

It's your door to answer or not, even if you answer you don't have to let them in.

OwlLady · 07/09/2012 14:19

he sounds like a right weirdo!

DameEnidsOrange · 07/09/2012 14:20

YANBU at all

SamraLee · 07/09/2012 14:29

I don't anwser the front door ever. I don't even think you need a reason not to, you don't answer your phone all the time just because it's ringing. I think he is very wrong for coming and looking into your windows! If that was me, I would call up and complain to the gas company, but I suppose that would be a bit of an over reaction on my part.

NK2b1f2 · 07/09/2012 14:30

I'm an expert at ignoring doorbells and the phone. This is MY house and it is my decision if or when I am available for random callers. Totally different to when I am expecting someone of course in which case I will answer the phone or open the door. But who says I have to do either? Angry

twofingerstoGideon · 07/09/2012 14:30

YANBU. Cheeky fecker.

OhChristFENTON · 07/09/2012 14:31

YANBU

by the way do you live near me? because a meter reader has just left the close I live in Shock

Original poster
TimothyClaypoleLover · 07/09/2012 14:33

AgentZigzag - no I didn't answer the door and got a filthy look from him as he saw I was in. Might have answered just the knock on the door but when he started knocking on all my windows and coming round the back of the house he can get stuffed!

OP posts:
mollymole · 07/09/2012 14:33

Most of them get paid for the amount of meters they read, he was only trying to do his job.

Thumbwitch · 07/09/2012 14:33

YANBU. I often refuse to answer the door if I'm not in an appropriate state, or if I think it's someone I don't want to see/talk to (JWs, door-to-door sales people, my BIL)

I don't think that meter readers or other such people should be looking round your house, and certainly not just walking in - am Shock at that one, Random!!

PooPooOnMars · 07/09/2012 14:35

I just ignored the phone because I've got a sleeping child on me . . . now getting paranoid it was the school phoning.

Original poster
TimothyClaypoleLover · 07/09/2012 14:35

He called yesterday but have seen him driving about this morning so possibly live near you OhChrist - was a green southern energy van.

OP posts:
sugarice · 07/09/2012 14:36

I never answer the door unless I'm expecting a delivery or know who it is,we get a lot of cold callers and Jehovah Witness gangs. Our meter readers leave a calling card and just come back if I miss them. Your bloke was a cheeky sod!

Original poster
TimothyClaypoleLover · 07/09/2012 14:37

Appreciate he is just doing his job mollymole but think he crossed a line when he started knocking on my windows and walking round the back of the house.

OP posts:
BackforGood · 07/09/2012 14:39

YABU to stop someone doing his job if you are doing something you really can't leave for a couple of minutes (or take with you). I'd not bother if I was in the bath for eg, but other than that, of course I'd open the door.

nemno · 07/09/2012 14:40

I always answer the door (and phone), I just couldn't not. Emergencies, missed deliveries etc etc.

Our gas meter is outside the house on the back wall so maybe the man was looking for it? Of course they shouldn't walk in Shock

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