To think you don't just keep ringing the doorbell if no one answers?

[Sparrowlegs248]

I'm at home, was putting my two small children to bed. Ive been really under the weather all week, so we all had a bath, got in pjs and were going to bed. My doorbell rang. I ignored it (2 yr old not quite asleep and would have got up and fully woken up if I'd gone downstairs). It's cold, dark, and I was in my nightshirt. The doorbell continued to be ring repeatedly. It's really quite loud. I went downstairs and unplugged it in the end.

Surely if the house is in almost total darkness and there's no response, you stop? Everyone along the road (rural, about 7 houses) knows I have young children and it was 7.30pm, bedtime.

Aibu to think give up after a couple of goes??

Who was it?

I don't know.

I think I probably would of answered if they were that insistent.

If you went downstairs to turn if the doorbell, then you perhaps weren't so bothered about leaving your DC.

So why on earth didn't upyou see who it was when you went down?

As you note, it's unusual behaviour. And my first assumption is that it couid be something really rather important

I would give up if it was unimportant, but probably keep ringing if it was urgent...?

I don’t disagree with you. But I do think it’s odd you didn’t just open the door to find out what the issue was. You went down anyway. You could’ve torn a strip off them and maybe they’d think twice next time!

Why not shout who is there?
All these MN folk who never answer doors 🙄
Could be a neighbour locked out, needing help, deary me.

Could have been someone trying to rob you. So many incidents of groups of people trying their luck and just attacking you and entering your home.

If it's that important, they will have your number and would call you.

The bell is at the bottom of the stairs plugged in. By the time I'd switched it, dc2 was out of bed and standing at the top. Also, I feel awful, not dressed, and didn't want to answer.

It wasnt a family member or friend. No one has tried to call or text.

I hadn't actually thought anything sinister, but it's a good point. I'm at home alone with two small children, in the middle of nowhere. The house joined on to mine is empty. So if there was something like that,, no one would notice. Whereas if someone needed help, there a the other 6 houses to go to which all have people at home.

I am an unusual mumsnetter in that I do anwer the doorbell. In my case It is usually a neighbour not some random stranger trying to scam me or sell me something.

I don't understand the "I never answer the door" type of person. It could be the police or neighbour letting me know that someone is trying to steal my car. If it was someone who was persistent I would assume it was urgent.

So why didn't you anser the door? And TBH 7pm is not late to be ringing someone's doorbell.

I find it really odd that MN don’t answer the door

Why not put the chain on and open it? Or get a fish eye lense thing?

If you could run down the stairs to unplug it, you could have opened the door.

No you don't keep ringing it, either the house is empty or if you know they're in, then they don't want to answer.

It's as rude as loudly repeating "talk to me talk to me now" when the other person is busy.

Have you checked your car lights? Could be a neighbour coming to tell you.
Or a neighbour with a parcel?
Who knows?

YANBU
I don’t answer the door after dark as would usually be in my PJs.
We had a problem when DS was little that it was kids wanting their ball back.
I refused to answer and they got their ball back when I next went into the garden which I think is reasonable. No one should be ringing your doorbell unless you are expecting them.

If I’m not expecting anyone why should I answer the door- a spy hole, a porch or a look from upstairs if I’m interested in who it is but I’m not opening my door to a stranger

“ meganxz

Could have been someone trying to rob you. So many incidents of groups of people trying their luck and just attacking you and entering your home.”
Yes, because this happens all the time.

I didn't answer the door because I didn't want to. I normally do though, but as I said, was in a nightshirt and feel ill.

Was it reasonable for them to just keep ringing then? I'd assume police , or anyone else in fact, would hammer on the door and shout if it was an emergency , I know I would!

I don't blame you for not answering the door when you're not dressed feeling rubbish. I would have ignored it the first time and perhaps even the second but if they kept ringing I would have shouted through the door to see if it was urgent or if someone needed help.

The last time my bell rang it was a neighbour’s child sent by his mum to ask if I had any carrots. I didn’t- and he said “Oh good- I don’t like carrots”

I would have had a look out of a bedroom window to see who it was.

@BertrandRussell

@BertrandRussell
I like this kid 😁

Yes, if they won't let me in