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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Am I the only person who never opens their front door to anyone?

585 replies

jugglingjugs · 17/04/2023 10:02

I just heard my front door go, so I hid in the kitchen out of sight, no idea who it was but I'm now very curious.
I wasn't expecting anyone, if it was family I would have answered because they wouldn't come unannounced.
I also never answer my phone if I don't recognise the number. Is this just me or does anyone else do this?
I have never really thought about why until now.

OP posts:
CleverLilViper · 17/04/2023 20:07

nomoredriving · 17/04/2023 20:05

@CleverLilViper it's a discussion that OP has opened up? Why are you contributing if you're that "why do you care"?

Because it's funny.

nomoredriving · 17/04/2023 20:08

@CleverLilViper not as funny as people who think the door knocker or bell should t be used!

Because that's just so funny!

Do you have a moat?

CleverLilViper · 17/04/2023 20:12

nomoredriving · 17/04/2023 20:08

@CleverLilViper not as funny as people who think the door knocker or bell should t be used!

Because that's just so funny!

Do you have a moat?

insult peasant GIF by History UK

Of course I have a moat-don't you?

AlwaysGinPlease · 17/04/2023 20:12

I check the Ring camera. If it's someone I'm expecting I'll answer. If not I'll leave it. I work from home. I have no intention of opening the door to some random. If it's Amazon /delivery company, they leave it in a safe place. I know plenty of people that don't open their doors.

nomoredriving · 17/04/2023 20:14

@CleverLilViper no ... I don't ... I just answer my door, like any normal person 🤷‍♀️

I don't have "personal space" issues, they're knocking on my door, not trying to share my bed.

JudgeRudy · 17/04/2023 20:16

RampantIvy · 17/04/2023 17:21

I don't get many unsolicited calls, even the "you have had an accident calls" seem to have stopped. As I am awaiting a referral from the GP I will answer number withheld calls.

Anyone who works for the NHS - how many appointments get missed or don't get made because people won't answer their phones?

NHS here 'l've tried lots of times to get hold of patients including those that have just rang in requesting immediate call back so should be expecting a call. If they have a message saying who they are we can leave a message, but not generic messages. If they ring straight back though, l wont be in the office, ill be in a layby between visits and a request for a callback will go to me. I could also be working from home so no office phone. If someone inadvertently gives out a mobile number you find your are at risk of becoming that patient's personal physician or secretary. Incoming calls need triaging. They also leave important messages when you're not a work!

Beaverbridge · 17/04/2023 20:17

Never answer door, always been like this. Now can check on phone since sil installed a camera above it.

CheriseNuland · 17/04/2023 20:17

If it’s not someone I’m expecting (a prearranged friend calling or delivery) I don’t open the door. I will check and if it’s a neighbour (that I like) I might open the door. Generally they don’t call unless it’s important. Other than that, never.

CleverLilViper · 17/04/2023 20:19

nomoredriving · 17/04/2023 20:14

@CleverLilViper no ... I don't ... I just answer my door, like any normal person 🤷‍♀️

I don't have "personal space" issues, they're knocking on my door, not trying to share my bed.

Searching Prince Charming GIF by Boomerang Official

That's one of the pitfalls of not having a moat.

You have to answer the door like a commoner. I simply get to wave people off from atop my tower, bidding them goodbye and safe journeys as they realise they've come ill-equipped to cross my moat when trying to invade my abode.

nomoredriving · 17/04/2023 20:21

@CleverLilViper you like a gif!!

Another oddity

nomoredriving · 17/04/2023 20:23

CheriseNuland · 17/04/2023 20:17

If it’s not someone I’m expecting (a prearranged friend calling or delivery) I don’t open the door. I will check and if it’s a neighbour (that I like) I might open the door. Generally they don’t call unless it’s important. Other than that, never.

When you say you "might" open the door of its a neighbour you like, how do you decide that?

Day off the week

Time of day

What defines it?

CleverLilViper · 17/04/2023 20:24

nomoredriving · 17/04/2023 20:21

@CleverLilViper you like a gif!!

Another oddity

I do indeed like a good GIF.

Just like I like my moat but since you don't have a moat, you wouldn't know anything about the utter delights there can be gained from having a moat.

nomoredriving · 17/04/2023 20:25

@CleverLilViper I like people and visitors and callers and fun!

Try it!

CleverLilViper · 17/04/2023 20:26

nomoredriving · 17/04/2023 20:25

@CleverLilViper I like people and visitors and callers and fun!

Try it!

I don't have to interact with peasants as I have a moat, thanks.

Aslanplustwo · 17/04/2023 20:32

I always open the door. I don't answer the phone if it isn't a local area number or someone in my contacts - but that's only because other numbers are usually people trying to sell me something, or charities wanting money.
I'm not in the UK and people here aren't of the mindset that callers have to let you know they are coming.

Peapodburgundybouquet · 17/04/2023 20:33

CleverLilViper · 17/04/2023 20:26

I don't have to interact with peasants as I have a moat, thanks.

Show quote history

It’s not as funny as you think it is, when you keep saying the same thing over and over, via a mix of repetitive posts and gifs.

JudgeRudy · 17/04/2023 20:35

nomoredriving · 17/04/2023 19:52

@JudgeRudy I disagree with your lack of paragraphs! Can't read that shite!

Anyway I've got the measure of you.

You've got the measure of me? Through poor typing or because I don't often open my door? Er OK.

Short version (with better editing)

The more vulnerable a person is the less likely they are to open their door.

Older and disabled people are more vulnerable than the general population

Council bungalows tend to be rented exclusively to vulnerable people

Council bungalows also tend to be clustered together making them a better target for criminals.

CleverLilViper · 17/04/2023 20:37

Peapodburgundybouquet · 17/04/2023 20:33

It’s not as funny as you think it is, when you keep saying the same thing over and over, via a mix of repetitive posts and gifs.

Show quote history

What was that?

I couldn't hear you over my moat!

nomoredriving · 17/04/2023 20:42

Oh @CleverLilViper you misunderstand, it's 2023, it's not the hierarchy that have moats, like Henry the 8th, it's the batshit crazies that have them.

🤷‍♀️

CleverLilViper · 17/04/2023 20:44

nomoredriving · 17/04/2023 20:42

Oh @CleverLilViper you misunderstand, it's 2023, it's not the hierarchy that have moats, like Henry the 8th, it's the batshit crazies that have them.

🤷‍♀️

Is that what the hierarchy is telling the peasants now?

Anything to keep moral order intact, I suppose.

sst1234 · 17/04/2023 20:44

nomoredriving · 17/04/2023 20:14

@CleverLilViper no ... I don't ... I just answer my door, like any normal person 🤷‍♀️

I don't have "personal space" issues, they're knocking on my door, not trying to share my bed.

Personal space….another golden nugget from this bonkers thread.

Daisybuttercup12345 · 17/04/2023 20:45

How peculiar.

sst1234 · 17/04/2023 20:45

JudgeRudy · 17/04/2023 20:35

You've got the measure of me? Through poor typing or because I don't often open my door? Er OK.

Short version (with better editing)

The more vulnerable a person is the less likely they are to open their door.

Older and disabled people are more vulnerable than the general population

Council bungalows tend to be rented exclusively to vulnerable people

Council bungalows also tend to be clustered together making them a better target for criminals.

Show quote history

Wow, you really are overthinking this novel concept of answering the door.

sst1234 · 17/04/2023 20:47

Beaverbridge · 17/04/2023 20:17

Never answer door, always been like this. Now can check on phone since sil installed a camera above it.

Do visitors climb through the windows to get into your house.

CleverLilViper · 17/04/2023 20:47

sst1234 · 17/04/2023 20:45

Wow, you really are overthinking this novel concept of answering the door.

Show quote history

So you really don't think that there's vulnerable people in our society that some people would seek to exploit who would be better off not answering the phone/door to unknown callers?

I suspect @JudgeRudy is not overthinking it at all. You're under thinking it. And this is being said by the person who has spent the last half hour talking about my moat and peasants. So that's truly offensive.