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Toddlers: 12 - 24 Months
When Jehovahs W's come a knockin'
What do you do?
I'm way too freaking nice. They keep coming back and they remember C's name and last time they came they parked right in front of my house and gave me a book of bible stories for C. I've sat through them reading passages from the bible, they've asked me questions about what it meant. So, I've had mini bible studies on my doorstep that I don't really want. Obviously I can't be mean to these ladies.
What the hell should I do? I think I have played along for too long.
This discussion has been closed.
Re: When Jehovahs W's come a knockin'
I've done that once. Last time (and most nice days if we're home) we hang out in the living room with the blinds and windows open. The front door is in the living room. So on those days it can't be avoided, they see us from the street.
Then again they might get the hint if they come up to the door, ring the bell, and watch us stare blankly at the wall until they leave...
We have groups (adults and children) come to the campus I work on and hand out literature. With the kids, I give them a, "no thank you, sweetie." If the adults engage me in conversation, I just tell them that I appreciate their dedication to their faith, but that I have a dedication to my own and leave it at that.
I feel awful for the kids. The college students aren't all the nice to them and I worry what kind of perception they are developing about young adults not in their "group."
Ginny DX 21-Hydroxylase Deficiency Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia
Charlie DX Specific Antibody Deficiency & ASD
Ditto. I don't answer the door when it is just me and Ella home, unless I have ordered delivery food. Plus, my dogs are spastic, so when people come to my door they flip out.
Yeah, I like to save everyone's time and just not answer the door.
When I was younger (maybe 19 or 20), I remember trying to be nice to a person who called asking for donations to something. It kept us both on the line for like 5 minutes when it should have been a quick "No thanks and goodbye." I realized I wasn't being nice to that lady. I was wasting time that she could have spent trying to get others to donate.
Same. Unless it's someone I know, I never answer the door.
m/c 12/25/09 (5w5d) mm/c D&C 4/9/10 (11w1d) Take home baby 2/22/11
My boobies belong to cour10e
We answer and talk to them. We aren't interested in converting but I am interested in learning new things. It's obviously important to them and I see no reason why I shouldn't be kind enough to listen. It actually really ticks me off when people get all riled up about JWs knocking on their door. Put up a sign if it's that big of a deal to you.
ETA: If you put up a sign and they still come, okay. I understand being pissed off about that.
I really hope this isn't an UO because I'm in a horrible mood and really don't feel like arguing.
Me too. Too many creeps out there.
Well, duh. She's just a better person than all of us rude b?tches.
And ditto other pp that I never, ever answer the door for people I don't know.
It's unsafe and (kinda dumb) to open doors for strangers when we teach our babies to NEVER open the door for strangers. I mean, every police and safety officer I've ever met has always stressed that it's a great way to get your house robbed, never ever open the door to strangers.
I enjoy learning new things also. I read a book or go on the internet on my own time.
As for the bolded: Opening the door and screaming at them wouldn't be kind. Not anwering or firmly saying no thank you isn't rude. I don't owe anything to people who come on my private property uninvited.
Man, I'm lucky the jehovah's witnesses in my area aren't that pushy.
I answer the door, take whatever flyer they give me, smile, close the door, and throw it in the trash.
I have no advice, because I'm in the same position. A lady started coming once a month or so, about 3 years ago. We were always outside, so I couldn't really pretend not to be home. She's so nice that I don't want to hurt her feelings, even though she has often come at really inconvenient times. At this point I have let it go on for so long, I don't really know a good way to put a stop to it. We're planning to move by the end of the year, and my new house will have a "no solicitors" sign. That's my awesome plan...
you could just be honest "im sorry this is a really bad time, have a good day". when JW approach me in a parking lot or in the street walking with DS i just say i dont have time to chat but I will take a pamphlet.
Having a big dog that barks like a maniac helps us. I'll open the front door but keep the screen door shut so they can see her. She goes nuts when people come to the door who she doesn't know. They usually say hello, smile and ask if they can leave some literature. I always says yes cause I feel like a bish if I don't.
I'll also put signs on the door saying not to knock or ring bell because my baby is sleeping. That is mostly for the delivery trucks if I have something being shipped but it has helped in those instances too.
Put up a sign or just don't answer the door.
Surprisingly, living in the Bible Belt and all, we really don't encounter JWs much. Of course, I live in a sketchy neighborhood, so maybe that's what keeps them away.
This. I NEVER answer the door for strangers. Ever.
When I was a kid, maybe 10 or so, my friend and I were playing at my house by ourselves (her parents were next door) and they came to my door. When I didn't know who it was looking out the window, we didn't answer.
The knocked again and again and started banging and then turned door knob to see if it was locked. Of course we panicked, ran out the back door and over to her house. We assumed someone was trying to break in during the middle of the day.
When we got the courage to go back (with her dad), a pamphlet was in the handle.
I think it's part of the reason my greatest fear is being home alone.
If you don't want JW's to come to your home, just politely tell them you're not interested and ask them not to return. That ought to do the trick for about 99% of JW's, who are normal people just trying to share an encouraging message from the Bible with their neighbors. And FYI- no soliciting signs don't really apply to us because soliciting implies asking for money, and we're not. We always obey no trespassing or private property signs though, that's for everyone.
And please don't take our literature and then just throw it in the trash- our organization is funded completely by voluntary donations (we don't charge for anything, we don't tithe or pass plates, it's just a box in the back that you can put money in if you want to). So you're throwing away something that ppl volunteered their hard-earned money for. If you don't want it, just say so politely- then they can give it to someone who actually wants to read it.
Signed,
Your resident 12-24 Jehovah's Witness
i always read them. i dont agree with this religion but i always read bc i find different view points facinating. i just dont wish to have a one on one session.
if they leave it without a persons consent though, thats their problem. JWs here will give it to you/leave it at your door if you dont answer.
"Thank you, but I'm happy with my religion"
Then, if they persist,
"I'm sorry but I really have to go"
BFP#2: EDD 2/11/14, MMC confirmed 7/15/13 (growth stopped at 6 weeks), D&C @ 12 weeks 7/25/13
Clearly my knowledge of the belief is very limited, but I always wondered if they think only 144K people are going to heaven, why are they out recruiting competition?
In return for this etiquette lesson, here is an etiquette lesson for you to consider. It is rude to ring doorbells or knock because it risks waking up napping children, sleeping night shifters, or otherwise bothering the occupied inhabitants of the house. It is rude to think that you are a special exemption when people have a sign at their door clearly discouraging people from bothering them. It is condescending to think that anyone needs your encouraging message. It is ignorant to assume your message is more important than the beliefs of the people whose private property on which you are welcoming yourself.
Also, they are trying to recruit members who will, in turn, donate. Isn't that soliciting?
And didn't Christ rebuke the Pharisees for doing things to be seen by man instead of God? Isn't approaching people at home falling prey to this behavior?
Yes. And if he makes us pancakes, too.
bfp#4 3/19/2014 edd 12/1/2014 please let this be the one!
beta @ 5w0d = 12,026! u/s 4/22/14 @ 8w1d it's twins!
I've found myself in this exact same situation. I wasn't nearly as encouraging, just politely took their materials and didn't slam the door in their face, and now I get a monthly visit. Everytime she knocks on the door and the dogs go crazy she says 'I'm really sorry I hope I didn't wake up the baby'. Clearly lady you see this as a potential problem but you still continue to come.
I decided next time she comes that I have to be mean and tell her that I am not interested and to not come back. I will try and leave out quips about why she is bothering when supposedly the 144k slots are already filled and that we like celebrating holidays.
I am an equal-opportunity hater of strangers on my doorstep.*
*Excludes trick-or-treaters and children doing fundraisers.