To ‘be out’ when the Jehovah’s witnesses come back

[Lauriepop95]

As a background sort of story, I’m a super anxious person, I people please constantly and it is something I’m trying to change in the new year. There was a thread on here a few months ago about times you’ve been too polite to correct someone and therefore ended up with the wrong item (think it was about fish and chips)

Anyway, a month or so ago 2 Jehovah’s witnesses came knocking on my door. I was going out at the time and they could see this, they were really lovely ladies. They said they’ll come back another time and I said yep okay as I was trying to get DD out of the door and all the bags etc

Didn’t think anything of it

Well yesterday I got a knock at the door, it was the two JW. They handed me a leaflet and started explaining it, it was extremely windy and cold and I couldn’t hear what she was saying with the wind so loud. So I said they could come into my hallway. They were there about 10 minutes and I explained I wasn’t religious at all and I wasn’t really interested in learning about it.

They didn’t take no for an answer and started prying as to why I didn’t want to. After a while one of them said they will be in the area on Monday afternoon so will pop back for a longer chat.

I said I’m out Monday and I work 9-5 weekdays so sorry I can’t. She said “well I can come tomorrow evening I suppose! I couldn’t think of an excuse quick enough.

I feel that they wouldn’t take my “not interested” as an answer and I need to be a hell of a lot more assertive. But I really really struggle with this.

My only other option is to go out with DD for the evening (go to my mums or something) but then that’ll only be a temporary fix as they’ll come back another day.

How can I politely buy firmly get them to leave me alone? I have already told them I’m not interested and they are still coming. I feel incredibly uncomfortable at the thought of telling them sternly to leave me alone but I may have to suck it up and do it.

AIBU to just hide if I see them coming?

Anyone have any stories about encounters with JW?

Don't answer the door.

Don't answer the door.

I just would not answer the door, your house you don’t have to.
I try not to answer the door to them and if I do say polite I am not interested and goodbye.

The way my house is, they have to walk past my living room window and you can really see inside from where the front door is. So basically they would see me with DD doing whatever and more than likely wave me over to the door.

I suppose I could hide in the back bedroom

Tell them you are Catholic, or that you are blood donor. That’s usually makes them scarper.

I’m all for tolerance and acceptance of different beliefs, but JWs really boils my piss.

Answer the door, don't wait for them to speak, say 'I'm not interested' don't wait for a reply, close the door

They're like vampires and you invited them in and now they won't leave.

@ManonBlackbeak I was thinking about saying I’m gay I’ve read that a lot of them are against gay marriage. My best friend is gay (female) I could invite her over and pretend she’s my girlfriend haha

It doesn't matter that they can see you. Distract your child with a game and ignore them. It might have the added benefit of putting them off chasing you

They are taking the fact you are speaking to them at all as encouragement. What you thought were excuses they heard as notification of your availability so they could return.

You are allowed to say no to things. So what if they try and summon you to the front door? Don't go. They're not welcome.

It's your house you can do what you like.
So they walk past the window & see you, it means you can see it's the JWs knocking & ignore them.
If they knock on the window just shake you head & wave them off.

Or answer the door, say no thank you I'm not interested please leave me alone & close it before they have time to say anything.

I'd second telling them you're Catholic, or alternatively asking a friend or family member to speak on your behalf and make clear you aren't interested and that they are not to bother you again. I have a very nice but lacking in confidence and assertiveness friend who had a similar issue with Mormons until her husband intervened. It wasn't the fault of the Mormons, she just didn't know how to go about saying no.

Just be very firm and very direct "not for me thanks" then close the door.

You don't have to invite people into your life/home who aren't going to bring good things in with them; that goes for everyone who wants something from you; you get to choose. Be tough and refuse to let them in, don't engage and although it might feel rude, you'll feel better for it.

Put a sign on your door saying you’re not interested. Then don’t answer the door. If they are really really really insistent then just point to the sign.

You can contact the local Kingdom Hall and ask to be put on a "do not knock" list. Luckily the ones who all here are happy enough with a simple "I'm not interested, thank you"

For tonight, out a sign up saying you aren't interested if you don't think you can do this in person. Close the curtains.

Could you make some leaflets of your own to shove at them - Paganism/devil worship/satanic rituals/something so opposite of them? Then when they knock & before they can speak "Hellooo, so glad you came back, thought you could distribute these as I don't have time. Thank you, Byeee. And shut the door 😊

You really don't need to justify why you're saying no.

A friend of my parents once tried to convert them to Satanism 😂 (he wasn't really a satanist, just to be clear)

They're like vampires and you invited them in and now they won't leave

My DH had the same predicament.i answered and said that my husband was trying to be polite but actually is happy with his religion and doesn't want to keep being visited. So rather than waste anyones time could they take us off their visiting list please. They agreed. They were perfectly nice about it and haven't returned.

If you struggle to say this face to face write it down and give them the note.

And I've also answered the door hanging onto a barking/growling/wriggling dog - that also works rather well

You are being ridiculous. You absolutely do not have to answer the door to your own house or invent stories.

Well my Grandfather used to tell them every time that he’d had blood transfusions in the past and would likely need them again in future (not a lie either) and if any of us kids (was raised by my GP’s with my brother and sister) needed a transfusion one day to save our lives he’d choose to do that over any faith. He was always jovial and polite when he said that but he meant it.

So I use the same now I have DC, I had some come to the door last week and said “I’m an atheist, that won’t change, but rather than have a theological debate I’ll tell you this, even if I was a member of your faith, I’d still choose a blood transfusion for my children over any God. Have a nice day.”

Obviously I don’t know if you have children or not and with your anxiety I appreciate that a direct approach may not be suitable for you, but would a printed sign on your door work? Something polite but firm stating no knocking unless an emergency and if they ignore it you can quickly say ‘please read the sign.’ To reduce the amount of time you have to speak to them?

My grannie used to invite them in for a cup of tea and a good argument.

Don't think that'd work for the OP though, my grannie was fearsome.

Just open the door. Say I am not interested do not knock again and slam the door
Job done