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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Pointless Poll - would you have been rude, aloof or nice and polite in this situation?

45 replies

Greensleeves · 17/02/2013 00:52

I am currently housebound with a torn ligament in my knee and a trapped nerve in my neck - the latter is because of the former, I can only get about with great difficulty on crutches and am in considerable pain (despite enough pain killers to kill a rhino) - and we don't have a downstairs loo so really it is just quite a drag.

So somebody knocks loudly on the door, I get up, shout that I am coming, it takes me about 6 minutes to hobble to the front door. When I open it there is a gormless looking woman with a clipboard who gapes at me for a couple of seconds then says

"Oh sorry I've come to the wrong house, this isn't number 4 is it"

she then walks off

Would you have been rude? Or lovely and understanding?

OP posts:
AgentZigzag · 17/02/2013 00:56

Oooh, you poor thing.

I'd have probably been 'civil' desperately trying to keep the raging in Grin

Ignore the door, whoever it is would ring first if it's important.

waltermittymissus · 17/02/2013 00:56

I'd have thrown a crutch at her.

only half joking

You poor thing Sad

YouTheCat · 17/02/2013 00:57

I doubt I would have had a chance to think of something cutting until afterwards (as usual)

You have my sympathy. I tore a muscle in my calf a few years ago and it was agony. I had been running across the road on my way TO the pub. Most disgruntled as didn't even get my nice pub dinner and wine.

WaterBiscuit · 17/02/2013 00:57

I'd have been bloody furious, but probably said nothing. You poor thing.

bedmonster · 17/02/2013 00:58

Well I would have most definitely been lovely and understanding Greensleeves Smile

AgentZigzag · 17/02/2013 00:58

Freaky, me and walter posted at the same time, and water and youthecat did too.

waltermittymissus · 17/02/2013 01:01

Agent Grin

How bizarre!!

DeepRedBetty · 17/02/2013 01:06

I'd have managed 'civil'. Just. And then gone back in and had a massive whinge down the phone at whichever unfortunate friend of mine was in to whinge at.

Startail · 17/02/2013 01:07

ouch, I think I wouldn't have been polite.

I used to live in 3rd floor flat with very steep curving stairs. Even when entirely fit and healthy I found cold callers very annoying.

Alibabaandthe40nappies · 17/02/2013 01:09

I would have been rude, but then I'm a grumpy cow who doesn't like answering the door at the best of times!

BluelightsAndSirens · 17/02/2013 01:13

I wouldn't have attempted to go to the door.

LittleChimneyDroppings · 17/02/2013 01:22

I would have been nice outwardly, but harbouring angry thoughts. Although, she wasn't to know the rational side kicking in

BlatantLies · 17/02/2013 01:38

I wouldn't have gone to the door.

But if I had I would have been civil if she had been apologetic but I would have been snarly otherwise.

I hope you feel better soon. Sounds ghastly. Have a Wine (if meds allow)

aldiwhore · 17/02/2013 01:50

Tbh, I wouldn't have answered the door unless they'd knocked about 27 times.

But I would have been civil, unless the person at the door advertised herself as a psychic, then I wouldn't have needed to be rude, s/he'd have known.

I would have been pissed off though.

aldiwhore · 17/02/2013 01:51

I forgot the sympathy in my post sorry... it was meant to be present. Hope you feel better soon.

anonymosity · 17/02/2013 04:47

I would not have got up to answer the door - even without a torn ligament and a pain in the neck. I don't answer the door unless I am expecting a delivery or a friend. Everyone else can sling their hooks.

TheDisorganiser · 17/02/2013 04:51

I would have been hopping mad! Wink

But in all honesty I wouldn't have answered the door in the first place. I might have gone to the window that overlooks the front door to see who it was, and then might have called out of said window to see what they wanted; and then decided whether or not it was worth it.

But as for the "Oh this isn't no. 4 is it" - really? How dim!

TheDisorganiser · 17/02/2013 04:53

Very sorry to hear about your knee and neck, btw - sounds awful! :(

maddening · 17/02/2013 07:44

I would have started crying

Tee2072 · 17/02/2013 08:07

I wouldn't have gone to the door. If it's a friend, they can ring and tell me they are coming.

I hope you are better soon.

HollyBerryBush · 17/02/2013 08:09

I'd put a note on the door: on crutches, do not knock unless neccessary.

WowOoo · 17/02/2013 08:25

I think I would have cried too.Poor you!

I can usually manage to be polite, but I'd feel the need to swear as soon as I'd shut the door.

scarletforya · 17/02/2013 08:32

I wouldn't have answered the door either. I only answer the door if I'm expecting someone.

TotallyBS · 17/02/2013 08:45

The woman said sorry ffs. Did you want a more profuse apology? If she had stayed and had a 5min conversation about your health would have made her not rude in your eyes? .

As for the caller being dim for stating the obvious, if she said nothing then she would have been slated for being rude as opposed to dim. Also, I'm guessing that the non-dim people here never state the obvious like "oh, it's raining" or similar.

Not that it matters but I suspect the woman wasn't a cold caller. Otherwise she would have tried to sell x to the Op instead of looking for number 4.

TheDisorganiser · 17/02/2013 09:22

Not dim for stating the obvious, dim for a) going to the wrong door in the first place and b) somehow not working that out in the 6 or so minutes that she was standing there.