To just shut the door on religious door-knockers, with no comment?

[BeanQuisine]

I used to smile and say "I'm not religious", but a friend pointed out that this still confers some degree of social legitimacy on their absurd intrusion into my life.

I decided that a better tactic, when it becomes clear that a doorknocker is peddling religion, is to just silently close the door in their face.

Wondering how many people here agree that this is a reasonable response to unreasonable intrusion, and how you choose to respond to these people.

Unreasonable? No. Rude? Yes. I say no thank you I’m not interested and close the door. You don’t need to give them an excuse or explanation or even wait for a response from them before closing the door. Personally I think, as a human being, they deserve at least something though.

Oh I used to invite them in for a cup of tea whenever they knocked my door when I was a teenager! They were generally around my age and up for a debate/discussion about religion. I was studying theology at the time and it helped give me insight into their religion (generally mormon or Jehovas Witnesses). It was interesting and they were, without exception, incredibly polite. I mean I'm agnostic and so are the vast majority of my friends (or athiest) so it was good to know a different view (I mean I know their aim was to recruit me!)

I think the only time I had a bad experience was when me and SIL invited two Mormon lads from NYC in for a cup of tea and some biscuits and a chat. We had the tv on in the background on a news channel which was suddenly interrupted by coverage of the Twin Towers (it was 9/11) and one of the lads started having a really bad panic attack about the possibility his family had died. My SIL and I had to lie him down on the sofa with a glass of water. When he came out of the panic attack he was so apologetic and appreciative, still so polite! As was his partner.

I guess what I'm saying is religious callers are people too. I don't expect anyone to invite them in for cups of tea! But at least have the decency to be polite in rejecting them. Surely everyone is capable of saying 'no thank you!' with a smile?

It's certainly counter-productive! Most political canvassers (especially the actual candidates) would do better to stay at home.

This is funny and my mum got rid of the local Tories with similar, “DH is LibDem, I’m Labour, DD is Green and DS is a Communist. Bye.”

Years ago when I lived in a flat someone buzzed the intercom and said they had financial leaflets to deliver. I let them in and told them to come to my door and I would distribute them. As soon as I saw them I knew they were a religious canvasser. I told them it wasn't acceptable to lie to gain entry and they need to leave immediately. Since, I have no time for these people.

Where are they still knocking? Round us they just have stands in the street. If they are JW, you can just smile sweetly and tell them you've been disfellowshipped, and they will run away. It's their version of excommunication.

I don't mind engaging with them, as they voluntarily leave when I suggest God is up there, crying into his whisky, deciding that the next time round there will be no humans.

I once told some cold-calling Jehovah's Witnesses to come back tomorrow afternoon...it was very funny when 24 hours later I saw them riding their bikes to my old home, as I drove past them in my moving van, on the way to my new home! 😅😂

Tbh I don’t think any doorstep salespeople ‘deserve’ politeness. Who is most likely to buy from them- a financially savvy person or someone who isn’t? (DHs parents paid a silly sum for new front doors. ) If anyone needs double glazing they can find a company and make the decision rejecting pressure tactics. IME the good companies don’t doorstep.

I’m not sure I can think of any good reason for any sort of doorstep selling nowadays, versus the downsides.

I invited them in once a week for 6 weeks because I wanted to understand their philosophy regarding medical intervention & was interested in different kinds of religious beliefs at that time.

It fell down when I asked about dinosaur bones & was told they were put there to test peoples faith. :/

Had some round yesterday, in the hottest part of the afternoon. If I'd been in on my own, I'd have invited them in to get them out of the sun. Offered them a cold drink though as they must have been in their 70s and it's not safe.

They declined and carried on.

Such foolishness in a heatwave

But we encounter intrusive people and adverts etc. all the time in our lives, it's part of living in the society that we do.

I can't imagine shouting, or even thinking "f..k off " to everything intrusive. It's just so aggressive and rude, and it adds to the unpleasentness in society. Just be more civilised.

Exactly.

Or better yet, just don’t answer the door at all—it spares the trouble for everyone involved.

We get fishmongers knocking in the door peddling their fish, we’re mainly veggie in our house, should I shut the door in their face for intruding into my home where they’re not wanted?

Or should I stick with my usual “no, thanks!”, @BeanQuisine?

Ok, now this is a reason to be rude! Bristol city centre is overrun by them. I've had 'hey sexy/lovely/beautiful lady!' repeatedly (disclaimer, I'm not 😅) being chased down the street with him singing super cala fragilistic espiala docious over and over and then demanding why I didn't care about donkeys. See also - you don't care about starving children/ the homeless/ the elderly (I mean i do of course but my funds are limited).

My husband (to my and his shame haha) was a chugger when he was younger. They're paid more depending on how many people provide their direct debit details. Nah mate piss off and stop harrassing me in the street!

Get a sticker. That way you can slam the door at them after pointing to it.

Our council sends them out on request.

I am almost never rude to the door idiots.

I accidentally flashed (full frontal) some JW a couple of years ago and they never came back, so I think I’m blacklisted or they just know there’s no hope for me. It was a genuine accident, but very effective. They scuttled off down the path at lightening speed.

My default position is polite. I can't be bothered to work out who deserves it or not. It is quite obvious to me when I need to be rude should the occasion arise. It doesn't happen often.

I mean double glazing was just the first one that came to mind but there's also the people offering to change to a different electric/gas company, charity collections etc. People who might be annoying to answer the door to but are just trying to earn a living, I don't think they deserve rudeness when it costs literally nothing other than a few seconds of your time to say sorry I'm not interested thanks

That's no reason why we also should be rude. I just say "No thank you, we're not interested. Goodbye" and shut the door.

My brother just invited them in and argued them into a corner where they have to admit that he had proved that God does not exist.

I just don’t answer the door.

I look on the ring doorbell, and if it’s not friends/family, the postman, parcel delivery man, or anyone I’m expecting, I just don’t answer.

You are being unreasonable. When these people knock is the time to have some fun! Just like telesales people - get them talking then ask them ridiculous questions. It is probably more fun with telesales people as they are often on commission and get excited when they find someone who will talk. My record was keeping someone chatting for an hour before they lost interest.

Irony thy name is @Therealjudgejudy