To not understand why none of my neighbours answered the door

[Ihateitalot]

I moved in a month ago. I needed to get 10 year old dd from school but there was an issue with my front door not closing. I could have gone out the back but there was still the issue that the front door would literally not close.

I knocked on houses to see if someone could keep an eye on my door for max 15 mins. I could see some neighbours through their windows completely ignoring me or peeking back at me and then disappearing. The neighbour across from me I couldn’t see, but while I was phoning my mum to collect dd for me she answered the door for an ASOS parcel! Just so rude.

I’m beginning to think it’s because my face doesn’t fit, if you know what I mean. Next door but one completely blank me, and have crossed the street when they see me coming. I didn’t bother knocking on theirs.
One of the neighbours across from me was initially friendly, so I thought. He came over asking who my landlord was, then preceded to blank me every time after.

I feel like moving again.

[ElenaSt]

No one is obliged to answer to their door to someone they don't know or to anyone if they are not expecting a visitor.

I highly doubt your face is any different from anyone else's so I wouldn't worry on that part.

[Flippermeflopits]

They're all mumsnetters, you need to give at least 6 months notice of your intent to call or the doors not getting open.

I would have put something heavy behind the door & gone out the back

[Hobbes8]

When you say your face doesn’t fit do you mean you’re a different race to them?

[Ihateitalot]

I didn’t even think of that. Doh

[Ihateitalot]

I’m mixed race, and this is a predominantly white area

[LetitiaLeghorn]

I’m beginning to think it’s because my face doesn’t fit, if you know what I mean.

Are you saying they were being racist? Or that you were a newcomer they didn't know?

[coffeecupsandfairylights]

Do they know you at all?

[Ihateitalot]

@LetitiaLeghorn

I’m beginning to think it’s because my face doesn’t fit, if you know what I mean.

Are you saying they were being racist? Or that you were a newcomer they didn't know?

I can’t think of any other reason. I’ve not been here long enough for them to be annoyed with me.

[Blanketpolicy]

They are probably just so busy with their incredibly small lives they couldn't possibly spare 30 seconds to answer their door.

There is nowt so queer weird as folk. It is them not you.

[Ihateitalot]

I did think they might not recognise me. But I recognise all of them. The ones in the immediate vicinity anyway. I see them come and go so they must see me. It’s a very open street where you can see everything.

[Horst]

hmmm I’m a new neighbour and can’t say I’d knock on any doors unless I’d previously had a conversation with the people there unless they had a parcel of mine or it was a proper emergency. Like letting them know their house was on fire or something.

your new they don’t know you or why you would be knocking near school time.

[Theunamedcat]

If its a predominantly white area I'm guessing you have hit the nail on the head with your face not fitting I live in a predominantly white area its very racist

[LetitiaLeghorn]

I'm still not sure if you're saying they were racist or they just didn't recognise you. But whatever the reason, if I were them and had opened the door, I would definitely not want to be put in the position of watching your door for 15mins.

A) I don't want to be stuck in my front window,watching a door; but more importantly B) if something went wrong, you might, if I didn't know you, be the sort to accuse me of being involved.

I mean I understand its a horrible situation for you to be in, so sympathies, but I think that's a lot to ask of a complete stranger which your new neighbours are.

[Pinkdelight3]

I wfh and am sick to death of knocks during working hours so I wouldn't answer it and wouldn't jump to conclusions that your neighbours are being racist.

[SliceOfCakeCupOfTea]

The general idea on here is you shouldn't just knock on someone's door without permission to do so.

Bollocks IMO. I've knocked on most of my neighbours and none of them have a problem with it. I've knocked around when I needed some tools once and I didn't have the exact one I needed.

I find it so weird that people don't answer their doors.

[Ladyofthepeonies]

I dread the door being knocked, I only answer to couriers and people I’m expecting during working hours.

[Concestor]

I'm sorry OP, you will get a lot of people in denial on this thread but my first thought was that you were Black or Asian and it was a white area, and that it was to do with racism. I'm so sorry, that's really shit.

Alternatively, is it a rough area? Because people in rough areas don't tend to open their doors either.

But if it's a normal area then I can't see any reason why people wouldn't answer the door in the day. Especially to a neighbour.

[moofolk]

How rude and very unneighbourly of them. It must be really dispiriting knowing that you live in such an unfriendly area.

Is it quite middle class as well as white? I've found that the posher the area, the less friendly and open the residents. (Don't flame me Mumsnet, some of my best friends are middle class etc.)

In their favour though, it's possible that as one person knocking on all doors, it looked like you were selling something. But you'd think one of them would recognise you.

I'd ask them next time you see them in the street. Not too confrontational, just 'flipping heck I knocked on all the doors the other day and ....' etc. Make it a school run anecdote, laugh, and see what they say.

[DrinkFeckArseBrick]

They might be racist. They might be working fine home otherwise? Sometimes I can answer the door and others I really can't

[moofolk]

Ha also cross post.

[DrinkFeckArseBrick]

If I'm working I mean

[Vikinga]

I always opened the door until I got a ring bell. But I would definitely open if it was a neighbour

[Danascully2]

I'm sure I may have accidentally ignored somebody as our doorbell is broken. When it worked I had so many salespeople I didnt

[Danascully2]

Sorry that should say I didn't bother doing anything about it when it broke.