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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Doorbell usage

40 replies

toastedteacake · 04/03/2013 09:35

AIBU to get a little teensy bit annoyed when people ring the doorbell not once but three times and when there is not an immediate response repeat until a slightly hassled looking person comes to the door?

This happened this morning at 8 O'clock. I was in the shower, soaped up, so quite reasonably thought I wouldn't answer. It was not an emergency, it was an electrician who has been doing some work to our garage. I knew he was coming, he was told previously the garage was open, so no need to be around to meet and greet. When I eventually answered he asked for the garage door to be opened, arghhhhhh.

I would like to think that I am not being unreasonable to expect some doorbell etiquette. One press is all it needs, maybe two if you're not sure it rang. If I want to open my door I will, but I am under no obligation to do so. To keep pressing until someone answers is a bit rude, no?

OP posts:
CogitoErgoSometimes · 04/03/2013 09:36

Remove the battery? Confused (I don't have a doorbell...)

aldiwhore · 04/03/2013 09:37

YANBU, but you don't have to rush to answer it, just ignore if you're not ready.

I solved our doorbell issue by taking the batteries out. People obviously stand outside pressing away impatiently to their heart's content, when they REALLY want attention they knock Smile

(I am known to hide)

flangledoodle · 04/03/2013 09:37

Did you towel off before answering?

IllGetOverIt · 04/03/2013 09:39

But he knew you were in as you were expecting him. Had you not answered he may well have left.

He forgot the garage was open-that I may be a little inclined to be a bit peed about. But he's only human.

And for ransoms ringing again and again- you don't have to answer.

Think yabu on this occasion

Schooldidi · 04/03/2013 09:40

He'd have been waiting a long time if he did that at our house. We're all out by that time in the morning and if we arrange for workmen to come they have to follow the instructions they've been given, usually to go to the neighbours who have a key.

We don't have a doorbell either though so we don't get much of this, but it's just as annoying when it's loud knocking.

Original poster
toastedteacake · 04/03/2013 09:50

Unfortunately our doorbell was hard-wired in to the mains by previous occupants, so no batteries to remove Sad

I'llgetoverit - you can see garage door from the front door. It was visibly open (rural living here, off beaten track, so little chance of theft). It was open last week when he was here too.

I just don't understand; why the need to continuously press the button until someone arrives?

OP posts:
Original poster
toastedteacake · 04/03/2013 09:53

flangle I was fully dressed complete with Hmm

OP posts:
IllGetOverIt · 04/03/2013 09:56

Oh well if the garage was visibly open I don't think he should have kept ringing then. I take it back Smile

Yanbu

StickEmUp · 04/03/2013 09:56

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
toastedteacake · 04/03/2013 09:57

aldiwhore sometimes I hide too Grin

OP posts:
MortifiedAdams · 04/03/2013 10:00

The batteries ran out on my bell a good three months ago and ive yet to replace them. its bliss.

If im expecting anyone I listen out for their car or ask them to ring once when they pull up.

Original poster
toastedteacake · 04/03/2013 10:00

Thanks I'llgetoverit.

It was the bloody persistence of it that I am having trouble with.

OP posts:
MortifiedAdams · 04/03/2013 10:00

Ring my phone Grin

DonkeysDontRideBicycles · 04/03/2013 10:01

I actually find it intimidating (not normally of a nervous dispisition) if someone pounds on our door instead of pressing the doorbell. The bell ringing I can ignore cope with.

erowid · 04/03/2013 10:02

If I was doing some work at a strangers house I'd want to make my presence known, even if I had been told the door was open ready for work to be done. Maybe he thought the same?

Aspiemum2 · 04/03/2013 10:04

I'm with donkeys, people thumping on my door pisses me off. My doorbell works fine but people, particularly couriers, seem to ignore it totally in favour of a more intimidating approach.

coatonarack · 04/03/2013 10:05

At least he used the doorbell. No-one uses ours at all and the amount of time I've wandered past the door only to co-incidentally find flustered people say "Didn't you hear me knock?" "Well, no." - is too many. Ring the bloody bell!

andubelievedthat · 04/03/2013 10:06

3 times works for Sheldon,every time .

Original poster
toastedteacake · 04/03/2013 10:24

coatonarack you can't hear people knock here either, I guess that's why the people who lived here before put in such a ruddy loud bell, that can be heard throughout the house and in the back garden too.

OP posts:
DonkeysDontRideBicycles · 04/03/2013 10:29

Sheldon! Grin Good one.

Original poster
toastedteacake · 04/03/2013 10:29

erowid he hasn't done so, except first day.

What if there was no one home. Would I have arrived back to find him with his finger still attached to the doorbell?

OP posts:
Thingiebob · 04/03/2013 10:32

I hate it and think it is really rude. Particularly postman who thumps so loudly on my door it makes me jump out of my skin. He did it the other day as I was standing right behind the door and I am ashamed to say I lost my temper and swore at him. Awful. He laughed his head off though.

My DH was and is utterly appalled with me.

I am heavily pregnant and v tired though!

Lafaminute · 04/03/2013 10:33

Our doorbell has never worked - there's a lot to be said for this type of doorbell! People I WANT to call know this and will just open the door and walk in. The only time I regretted it was when politicians were doing the rounds pre the last election and I really wanted to hear them justify their corrupt and immoral ways. From what I heard they crept up to front doors, quietly popped flyers in letterboxes and sneaked away as silently as possible so no-one would see them Shock so the doorbell wouldn't have helped there anyway.

Original poster
toastedteacake · 04/03/2013 10:35

So what does everyone think is acceptable for doorbell usage?

I personally ring once, wait a minute or two (because you could be loading/ unloading w/machine, up to your eyeballs in nappies, on loo, etc.) then try once more. If no answer you're either not in or it's not convenient.

OP posts:
Lovelygoldboots · 04/03/2013 10:36

He may have wanted to let you know you were on the premises. He could have needed the supply knocking off. U think you were BU not to be there to at least acknowledge his presence. If he as busy as my partner is he would have wanted to just get the job done and go, not wait around for you to finish washing your hair. You were expecting him.