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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To want people to stay out of my porch.

26 replies

GreatSoprendo · 14/02/2013 16:28

On the front of my house is a tiny porch, where we hang up coats, leave shoes and umbrellas etc. The doorbell and letterbox are outside the porch on the wall.

AIBU to think that people should ring the doorbell then wait on outside for me to come to the door rather than opening the door and getting right inside my tiny little porch? Twice today I've had delivery men ring the bell and then immediately step inside the porch. As the porch is so small, this means that when I open the inner door they are right up in my personal space. Is it just me, or is the porch a bit of my own house, and you shouldn't go inside unless invited?

I know this is trivial and might be being super sensitive but its really pissing me off. (NB 33 weeks pregnant and therefore prone to minor bouts of unreasonableness)

OP posts:
PhallicGiraffe · 14/02/2013 16:30

Lock it then. Porches are designed for staying out of the weather when you aren't yet in the house.

MissyMooandherBeaverofSteel · 14/02/2013 16:30

Lock it or put a chain on it so no-one can get in. I always keep my front door locked.

Pandemoniaa · 14/02/2013 16:33

If you are going to be picky about how people use your porch then you really need to lock it. Personally, I'd rather people did use the porch but then I've always assumed it was there to be used.

bonzo77 · 14/02/2013 16:35

Yanbu but it will keep happening till you put a lock on the porch. We have a sort of awning over our front door. Its separated from the pavement by a narrow bit of hardstanding. There is a bus stop very close with no shelter. People stand under my awning all the time. Drives me bonkers. I have an outward opening front door with frosted glass though so I often open it
Quickly on purpose and "accidentally" hit them.

mrsjay · 14/02/2013 16:37

my aunt has a porch like that I knock on the door i wouldnt dream of just walking into somebodies house like that yanbu unless you lock the porch door I am not sure how you can stop them does everybody do it

mrsjay · 14/02/2013 16:37

cheeky buggers bonzo

schoolgovernor · 14/02/2013 16:39

A lot of people expect visitors to step into their porch. Why don't you just lock the porch door?

usualsuspect · 14/02/2013 16:42

I thought thats what porches were for.

HecateWhoopass · 14/02/2013 16:44

Yes, a lot of people don't see porches as actually coming into your house.

Although I would, if it's got a proper door and your stuff is inside. I don't see why people don't think that it's part of your home and your space. Confused

GreatSoprendo · 14/02/2013 16:52

I guess I'm going to have to start locking it - just a bit of a hassle with a fiddly lock and key rather than a simple 'slam it' Yale.

I just think its baffling - I wouldn't dream of trying the door and stepping into someone's porch if I knocked on their door. At least I don't have it as bad as bonzo - that would drive me flipping crazy!

OP posts:
HecateWhoopass · 14/02/2013 16:53

What about a bolt or a chain, GS? That would be easier. Keep it unlocked but chained/bolted.

bonzo77 · 14/02/2013 16:58

Ah.... I get my revenge. Opening the door at them. Bit scared to mouth off as its a bit rough in my area and they know where I live. I'm thinking of accidentally emptying my mop bucket out the front door without looking too!

MrsMushroom · 14/02/2013 16:58

Yes just put a bolt on it...you've got a proper lock on your main door....easy to slam the bolt home when you're in.

When you're out, people will still step inside....I wouldn't but I can sort of see why some do....it's a bit of an invasion really.

GreatSoprendo · 14/02/2013 17:16

Thanks for the bolt idea - will get one fitted this weekend.

OP posts:
Maryz · 14/02/2013 17:18

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

PickledInAPearTree · 14/02/2013 17:23

If the door was open I would go in.

Its not always clear what door is the front door, lots of people leave their porches open all day see.

olgaga · 14/02/2013 17:23

Don't delivery people leave parcels there for you though? If you lock the door you'll lose that convenience.

GreatSoprendo · 14/02/2013 17:45

No - no rain today. And they never leave parcels in the porch as if I'm not in I lock the door. Tend to just leave the porch unlocked when I get in and lock the inner door but will get a bolt put on to sort the problem.

Just a bit Confused on porch etiquette! Not lived here long and never had a porch before but I'm amazed how many people just walk in there. I have had a job that involved a lot of knocking on people's doors before and would never have stepped inside a porch or tried a door - but will fit the bolt to save any confusion and my over sensitive blood pressure Smile

OP posts:
propertyNIGHTmareBEFOREXMAS · 14/02/2013 18:08

Lock the porch or someone is going to have it away on their toes with your coats etc hopes OP's Louboutins are still there

Floggingmolly · 14/02/2013 18:14

You obviously consider your porch to be effectively another room in your house, so it needs to be kept locked. Most people wouldn't view it like that, it's not like they're stepping uninvited into your living room.

Skinnywhippet · 14/02/2013 22:26

I want a porch.

MrsKeithRichards · 14/02/2013 22:31

I want a porch too

SweetTransvestite · 14/02/2013 22:34

I've never had anyone knock then come in the porch uninvited. Maybe its just the done thing in your area?

Ours sounds a bit like yours as we keep our shoes in there. I would hate people just coming in the porch as we have house cats so its easier for me to open the inner door, go into the porch, close the inner door behind me so the cats don't escape then open the front door.

The only time someone comes in on their own is when we leave a note for post/delivery men to leave parcels in the porch for us.

CatsRule · 14/02/2013 23:02

Yanbu.

I know what you mean about them being in your face when you open your inside door...I feel the same especially as my inside door is in my livingroom.

I once had a woman come in my porch, close the door, take her jacket off, put het bag of crap down then knock amd proceed to try and sell things...then have the cheek to be annoyed when I didn't want to buy!

I vaguely remember being just a little a lot rude to her. It felt like an invasion...I consider my porch to be inside my house. Yes to be used to get out the rain...but to be used by me not strangers who come to my door.

CatsRule · 14/02/2013 23:02

Yanbu.

I know what you mean about them being in your face when you open your inside door...I feel the same especially as my inside door is in my livingroom.

I once had a woman come in my porch, close the door, take her jacket off, put het bag of crap down then knock amd proceed to try and sell things...then have the cheek to be annoyed when I didn't want to buy!

I vaguely remember being just a little a lot rude to her. It felt like an invasion...I consider my porch to be inside my house. Yes to be used to get out the rain...but to be used by me not strangers who come to my door.