Post # 1

Member
1909 posts
Buzzing bee
I’m a big wimp. When Fiance is at work and I’m home alone and I hear the doorbell ring, my heart immediately starts racing.
I have to lift the blinds on our door to see who it is, and it seems like the person always waves! How do you not answer the door when someone waves??? As I’m opening the door, in my head Im always like “well good job dumbass, why don’t you just ask to be taken??”
Anyways! So do you? Are you a paranoid freak like me?
Post # 3

Member
8279 posts
Bumble Beekeeper
Not unless I know the person!
Post # 4

Hostess
8579 posts
Bumble Beekeeper
Yeah, I answer the door. But, we live in a very low crime area in a really small country town, the kind where you can leave your house or car unlocked for years and nothing will happen. The mailman actually just leaves large packages in my car if I’m not home. Normally it’s someone I know, or have at least met.
Post # 5

Member
8042 posts
Bumble Beekeeper
It’s not about being paranoid.. it’s about being smart. Most crimes are crimes of opportunity.
No, I don’t answer the door if I’m home alone. I generally don’t even bother looking in the peep-hole… I flat out ignore it unless I am expecting someone. People never just drop in on me.. they’ll usually at least send me a text first or something.
Post # 6

Member
4959 posts
Honey bee
@cls9q: I never answer the door when I am home alone. If a friend wants to visit they know to call ahead.
Post # 7

Member
5662 posts
Bee Keeper
we never answer the door unless we are expecting someone because we don’t have a peep hole or any way to see who it is. I’m not afraid to open the door though. Just don’t feel like dealing with people. If I’m not expecting you then it’s likely you are selling something I don’t want.
Post # 8

Member
331 posts
Helper bee
@cls9q: I do but we have several large dogs and a storm door that locks so I can answer but still have a locked door between us.
Post # 9

Member
1635 posts
Bumble bee
I took a self defense class last year and was cautioned about ignoring a door knock or door bell. If you say nothing bad people may think the house is empty and try to enter it from thr front or another window or door. Yelling “who is it?!” And not opening the door signals someone is home. Let the good people answer you and you can decide whether to open the door. Or if you are afraid, tell them “no, leave.” But calling out let’s bad people know you house is not an easy target.
Post # 10

Member
576 posts
Busy bee
I don’t think this has ever happened to me! I can’t imagine a visitor would drop by without me knowing, and any packages are left at the front desk with my building’s front desk guy.
If someone just rang my doorbell or knocked, I’d probably try to sneak up and look through the peephole, and if I felt comfortable I’d maybe ask through the door who is it (it could be a neighbor for a good reason?)
If I felt uncomfortable at all I’d call down to my front desk and ask if they’d sent a visitor up to my door, and probably ask them to alert our building’s security.
Post # 11

Member
1896 posts
Buzzing bee
Yes otherwise we’d never get any of our packages. The damned Postal Service and delivery people won’t leave them on the step so if we don’t get it when they first deliver it becomes a cat and mouse game of hunting down the package.
Post # 12

Member
1215 posts
Bumble bee
I answer the door, but the only people that have ever knocked have been the UPS guy, our friend/neighbor and my sister, so not too scary. We also live in a pretty quiet neighborhood, so I don’t worry.
Post # 13

Member
2961 posts
Sugar bee
Yes I do. I do and look who is is first though.
Post # 14

Member
6015 posts
Bee Keeper
I can see who it is from our window. Normally I don’t, if it’s UPS or USPS they just leave the box. Otherwise, no, most people move along once the dog starts whimpering and barking.
I lived for a while alone in Baltimore City, in a wonderful neighborhood (It boasted it’s own pimp and his “girls#) So no never opened the door and let the dog go APE SH$T barking. I only had two people come to my door, who were not neighbors, and they ran out of my yard hearing the dog.
Post # 15

Member
1909 posts
Buzzing bee
When I was younger I was at this ladies house babysitting her daughter. The doorbell ring and I walked over to see who it was. She had these huge glass doors so he clearly saw me and I saw him. He was a really large male. I wouldn’t open the door for him because I was babysitting her child, and it was my responsiblity to protect her. I talked to the guy through the door and he told me he was there to work on something in the house. I called the Mom and she didn’t answer, all the while dude was standing outside in 10 degree weather. He was obviously annoyed and rolling his eyes.
She finally called back and apologized and told me he was there for maintence. He was very upset at me! Ohhhhhh well!
Post # 16

Member
277 posts
Helper bee
@cls9q: I’m armed, so yes I feel comfortable answering the door alone. Actually I live alone, so if I didn’t answer the door when I was alone I would never answer the door.