Or was postman OTT?

[Ifeelbloodyawful]

Home alone today with my baby, I am recovering from a rather nasty bug. Was feeding baby to sleep for last nap of the day. Baby just dropping off when there's a knock at door. I wasn't expecting anyone and assumed it was a delivery, or cold caller (we get lots) so didn't bother getting up as I knew that would end the nap and, frankly, I really wanted the peace of naptime more than I wanted to answer the door.

Anyway the person at the door kept knocking. And knocking. And knocking. Probably eight or nine times and quite loudly. I also heard an unfamiliar voice calling a couple of times. This went on for a few minutes. I was just thinking I would have to get up and see what on earth was the matter, when something was put through the letter box.

Later when baby woke I went to investigate and it was a Royal Mail card, for a parcel that had been left in the recycling bin.

AIBU to think this is slightly odd behaviour from the postman? I doubt he could tell anyone was in, but even if he was sure I was home there are plenty of reasons someone might not answer the door (asleep, ill, in the bath/shower, on the toilet...) it seems a bit bizarre to spend that long hammering on the door when the parcel was suitable for being left (didn't require a signature). Seems like a waste of his time as much as anything!

Ours rings the bell now because there was a spate of thefts from packages being left in safe places and he has to make sure they are actually delivered.

At one time he would just leave them in the recycling but now he rings the bell first, he knows I am always here.

Slightly over the top to knock 8 or 9 times, but to be honest I would prefer that. Instead of the ninja post workers who have mastered the almost silent knock, and slip the sorry we missed you card in so quickly you barely have time to blink let alone make it to the door.

Very odd, postmen/delivery men usually only knock once before sticking a card through the door because they’re in a huge rush to get on with their job. No idea why he did this, sounds annoying though!

I think he was actually trying to be helpful so you got your parcel so on balance I'm a kindly YABU.

I know what it's like when you'd rather have the sleep though! I used to stick a note on my door explaining this when I was absolutely desperate for sleep and there was a chance someone might knock and wake me.

Parcel in a bin is a disciplinary where I work. I’d leave the card telling you to come & collect your item and not waste time knocking so many times.

Yanbu. I'm a sahp and delivery people/post people know I'm in and often knock for ages. Just because I'm in doesn't mean I have to answer the door, I could be settling dc to sleep, in the middle of an explosive nappy change, could be in the bathroom etc etc. It really annoys me that many seem to assume beacuse I am in the house I absolutely must answer the door.

YANBU - they needed to consider all the different reasons you might not answer. Knock twice, max.

Well the poll is about 50/50 so I shall conceed that perhaps I am partially being unreasonable.

I do appreciate that he probably just wanted to deliver the parcel safely (and appreciate the job can be a frustrating/thankless one!) but it still seems a bit OTT to hammer repeatedly on the door like that, it was quite alarming.

Assuming it was our regular postman he normally just leaves parcels in our gas box, which we said was fine when he asked (although I'd be perfectly happy to collect from the delivery office, I hope he isn't putting his job at risk!) but this box was too large for that. I also frequently take in our neighbour's parcels for him so hopefully that'll make up for not answering the door this time!

Your postman knocks at the door when you have a parcel? Mine just shoves a sorry we missed you card in the letterbox and then slinks away.