"telemarketing companies out of India"

Suggestion: a police whistle.

Just me Vic, if my brother pulled that sh34 with my little girl.. I let him know ..next time ,your going to need more than a prayer to save your sorry as3. and no I'm not going to your party.
Rika

A friend of a friend of mine is very well versed in world religions. He lives in Denmark and had a Mormon or JW knock at his door. Knowing about their religion, he invited them in and started have a long theological discussion with them. Apparently, the Mormons or JW have an odd belief that nothing really belongs to them. So he asked about their prayer book and asked if it belonged to them. One of them said no, so he asked if he could have it. The missionary was hesitant but the Dane convinced him that since he didn't really own, that he should have it....

The Dane showed my the Mormons prayer book that he had kept...lol

"no thanks; I'm trying to quit."

Hoot! A retired Navy Chief here told me did exactly that...Imagine a 5'10" 65 years old, Navy tattoos, balding, and 350 pounds. He also bellowed: "What the F**K do YOU want"? He swears they've never come back...

I have to agree. They are there for what they are convinced is your good. I figure people who abuse JWs probably also abuse waiters & clerks. There is/was this thing called the Golden Rule...

eeh , nope, i don't abuse any waiters, or anybody else for that matter
but whoever bugs me uninvited , get's it. i seriously dislike beeing bugged in my crib. it's the only space that's my private space, and that's it. i usually even have my doorbell disconnected because of all the idiots that rather randomly push all the apartement buzzers, then actually reading which one they need to get through the first door.

the Golden Rule to me is , you don't bug people in their crib because you think you need to for your own spiritual or financial health. that's rude... and anyone who starts off rude, get's the favour returned.

tech - Define *abuse* when dealing with unwanted spiritual solicitation? I know people who abuse folks working in the service industry (retail & food) and they are not the same.

I used to tolerate door bell ringers/door knockers and phone solicitors...but no more.
For decades, my friends have all been informed to call prior to crashing into my mood by showing up on my doorstep unannounced. It's a reciprocal act of courtesy on our part. In fact, I don't answer the phone much anymore - leave a message and I'll consider it.
To me, the ringers/knockers/solicitors are taking a risk that they will be accepted/welcomed or not.
That's their risk, not mine.
I consider it rude behavior.

It sounds to me like some of you don't want to be visited by anyone unannounced.

As for those who say they answer the door naked.
What, do you stay naked whenever home, *just in case*.

Or, do you look throught the hole... " just a minute !"
Drop your pants and then open the door?


KT

Why? For taking 30-60 secs of your life a few times a year?

There are bigger problems out there...


KT

You guys crack me up. I always say, not interested, good luck to you.

If I am feeling frisky, I will stand there holding my pit bull mix by the collar and tell them to talk quick, I don't know how long I can hold her back!

Speaking of solicitors, my wife had some guy come to the door and ask if she had heard of some "mission" that turned out to be a halfway house for parolees that is based out of Texas somewhere. He was asking for donations, and she is telling him no, and he gives her grief about not ever being homeless so she is insensitive. He is having a little trouble talking, because of the dogs barking(she had both of them), spraying spittle and trying to squeeze through the space of the partially open door so they can rend him limb from limb, they are very protective of my wife BTW. He asked her to put the dogs up or step out on the porch, so they could talk.

She went off on him. "Who the hell are you to give me a hard time because I have always had a job and never been to prison. Do I look stupid enough to invite a convict into my home, or step outside with you? I am from Texas, and if you are still standing here after I close this door you will get shot." He left.

The retired Navy CPO I know lives in a rural area...long driveway.
With his dog, he gets plenty of warning "somebody's coming". He lives alone, so I suppose can be as dressed or undressed as he pleases....

Title of the thread asks for way to be polite.
You can decline with good manners.

Why are people today so bent on offending, being harsh or rude as a form of personal entertainment?

I don't get it... "It's my right to be mean"?

Let's say when you were a child, and Mom at the dinner table asks if you would like a second helping of broccoli.

Did you say, "don't ask me again or I'll shoot you"?

How about, "no, thank you".

Sheesh:mad:


KT

Rude is never my first response. In the story I related, my wife had told him no, and he turns into an agressive panhandler on the porch. Sort of twists the topic of the thread, but if they are harassing you, is it okay to respond in a cold manner then, or is it just turn the other cheek no matter what? The Golden Rule is still in effect, but there are a lot of them out there that are rude, aggressive and to me, that is unacceptable when I am in my home.

KT , it's my right to do whatever i want , on my property
whoever insists to invade my personal space, agrees to subject himself to whatever i may be in the mood for ... think of it as one of those EULA's you'll find in software

you click yes yes yes , agree, agree agree,

just to get what you want

sometimes, you wish you actually read the bugger, since it did say the software would lace your machine with spyware and spam...

and another thing,

those who come to sell their faith , do it because they are convinced that they have to do it to save as much souls as possible, and in the process save their own soul...

my cold , and rude denial , results in a challenge to their faith.


either they rise to meet the challenge, and come out a winner

or come to realize their faith ain't all that ,and makes them rethink their situation and become an atheist acid tripping boozing heathen like me ( wich ain't that bad, trust me on that one )

either way , i'm still doing them a favour , by giving them decent workout , faith wise


if they flunk it , and give up ,
they wern't all that convinced about it in the first place ,and shouldn't have bugged me with their confusion
and with some luck ,they will evolve in to a hedonistic state such as the one i'm in now ( which , is , might i add, not a state that goes around bugging people , but knocking on their front door, just to tell them that my state is better then their state of spiritual consciencnous)

if they pass , and continue, then frankly , my rudeness only strenghtens their resolve ... and i still did them a favour...

I've got to wonder, how often do you actually get uninvited visiters to your home?


So you're saying that your "little song and dance" is some sort of faith testing and strengthening exercise?

I'm sure after your "show" is over and they move on to the next door, they've already forgotten you.

People who go door to door have seen/heard it all...


KT

then why should i worry about beeing polite and **** to a bunch of doorwhores?

You'll feel better about yourself.

Being kind, can at times be more difficult than being mean.
Being mean serves no purpose.

You'll alway feel better if you are a pleasant and peaceful man.


KT

see, that's not a proven fact.

the reality is , i can either be annoyed and stressed by the doorwhores, or i can have a laugh...

laughing , is benificial for my health... good for the cardio vascular system... fact

and also , laughing is a precursor for not beeing depressed... another fact.


it's quite simple
if they do not bug me
then i will not bug them

which also means :

if they are polite to me
i will be polite to them


no need to be Vulcan to figure out the logic in that.

"Live long and prosper":D


KT

still love this tactic..:D
ryan

I wonder if any of you "its my right to be mean because you bug me" people ever had to ask for help from a stranger (directions, jump start a car when you were 16...)
Many of these folks (no, not all) care about other people enough to endure inconvenience and ridicule. Even if they are misguided at least they are trying to help others. Wow what a selfish bunch of "doorwhores"!
How hard is it to be nice and give them a polite "I'm not interested but thanks anyway". If that doesn't work then at least you can say that they had fair warning.

that's different, since it's a valid reason
folks can knock on my door if they need a hand with something, no problem, if i see a stranded car in the middle of nowhere , i'll stop to check if they need assistance, i'll get up for old ladies on the metro, etc etc

the point is that religious doorwhores go knock on doors just because they think or feel they better then non believers, and think it's their duty to go out and convert...

i'de like to see them try doorwhoring in Saudi Arabia, Iran, Pakistan...
that should be interesting... you think they'll receive a friendly welcome? i think not.

Actually, they do go "doorwhoring" (so to speak) in foreign countries. Its called being a Missionary and some of them end up in jail or dead for their beliefs. They go into those countries knowing the risks but do it for what they feel helps others. What cruel and heartless people, huh?
Are there some that do it for the trip of feeling holier than thou? Prob. But you can't know that just by the way they ring the doorbell. Sounds like we're the ones being judgemental.
BTW: I am not JW or Mormon. It just seems that when someone mentions God, there is a lot of anger that comes out. Why do you think that is? Don't give me the "I had a bad experience..." story. I've had bad experiences with lots of folks but I don't just haul off and condemn everyone because of it. No, there is a special rage that comes out when God or Jesus are mentioned.
Jesus Loves You. Jesus Loves You. Jesus Loves You. See, you're getting mad at me now.

i know about the missionaries, and i never said they were cruel or heartless. i'm just saying they are a pain in the ass, and are treated as such when they think it's necessary to try and convert me..

people are so quick to shout freedom of religion
but fail to understand that also means freedom to not belief

i don't believe, and every dingbat that thinks he can "convert" me , basically offends my non belief... maybe i should burn a few embassy's to proove my point.

here's an idea , how about i go to the Temple in Salt Lake City , barge in there , and try and convince everybody who's there for service, that God does not exist?
how about i setup shop , outside the temple, on the pavement,with a bunch of others like me , big signs and shouting , "there is no god , there is no god, set yourself free" whenever there is something going on in the Mormon temple??

you think i could get away with that in SLC?
wouldn't that be rude on my behalf, or would that too be acceptable... it's acceptable if they do it , so surely i can return the favour?

I have said this to my own brother:

"Jesus loves you, but everyone else thinks you're and arsehole".

Nothing against the Lord, just can't stand the bro.

Maybe you should. I can't speak for them but you might be surprised to see them welcome you in for some honest dialog (as long as you don't show up naked, with a gun, or holding back a large angry dog...)
My church (not any of the above mentioned) had a card-carrying atheist come for about a year. He wanted to know what all the fuss was about. We treated him with respect. We had some interesting discussions at different times and eventually we parted ways with neither party changed nor angry.
Again, my point is that there is a highly noticeable anger that shows up when Christians talk about Jesus, salvation, etc....

ehm , last time i checked, the SLC temple is quite closed off for heathens.

Thank you!

I'm giving some of the above posters the benefit of the doubt and guessing most of these stories are bull*****. How is that benefit of the doubt? I believe you guys surely have better sense than to act like a bunch of savages in front of someone who is genuinely there to help. If you don't want that help, just say so. If you tell them not to come back, they won't.

Here's the BIG difference.

Barging in, throwing a fit or threatening others, last time I checked, is illegal, trespassing, disturbing the peace will get you put in jail.

Now, going door to door with your beleifs in a polite, reasonable fashion with the purpose of helping others learn about a variety of subjects in a peaceful manner to people who resent you for being there...

I just don't see you doing that for more than a door or two.

Public speaking is the #1 fear of humanity, BTW.


KT

That is why I prefer the silent stare. It is not rude, nor is it welcoming--it is neutral.

I'm sure you like conversing with telemarketers too. After all, they're only there to help...
:rolleyes:

edit:
Nice tile, by the way!
:)

I would personally really hesititate to do this, but my mom did figure out a way to keep all the JW' from their house.

They live in a rural area with a very low traffic road in front of the house. The JW's would come every week and just NOT get the hint to leave (my father is very polite - too polite). My parents took to shutting the gates. They would open the gates (always a No-No in a rural area - dogs/livestock). Then my parents would lock the gate. They actually CLIMBED OVER!!

One day Dad was a full day late coming home (over the road truck driver). Just mom was home. Dad called mom stating he had the truck parked and was driving home (in the car). Mom decided to surprise Dad...

When she heard him step up the porch (what she THOUGHT was him), she hurled the door open exposing her completely naked self... The JW's sat there slack jawed for a few seconds, then left, climbed over the fence and NEVER returned.

It's been 15 years. They are still on the JW "do not go to that house" list.... :rolleyes:

angela

:eek:
.
Your mom 'n dad have a great (hot) relationship!

Growing up I used to enjoy the visits to our door from the JW's. My step father who is a spiritual man but otherwise an atheist, was raised in a british Catholic school and has an intimate knowledge of the bible. He'd argue scripture to the JW's until they could no longer rebut. Funny watching a JW come up with an excuse to leave your doorstep!

Nix

The reason JW's knock on your door is because it is required of them. They must participate in spreading the word of god in order to maintain a good standing withing their congregation. It is a lot like the young Morman men except there is no end to your duty.

Their duty is to not convert you its to mearly let youknow there is another option as far as worship goes. The right and wrong religion thing is simply not true. Their objective is to simply spread the word of god. There is a passage in the bible that states that the word of god needs to be spread throughout the entire inhabited earth before god will step in and let his will be done on earth as in heaven. (Think lords prayer here)

I grew up a JW and have always found these type of threads fascinating. I have Jw's and Mormons knock on my door along with kids selling things and salesmen trying to give me an awesome deal on some steaks. I have never felt the need to abuse them. Same goes for telephone solicitors. It takes me 0.2 seconds to loose them and about 10 seconds to send someone from my front door.

If you are truly not interested, tell them. If they keep coming back, point out you were not interested the last 10x they were there and that they are wearing your patience thin. Ask them to stop bothering you. They should leave you alone after that.


BTW- Some of the stories are not BS, growing up I have been attacked by dogs and had guns shot at me in rural areas. While some of you think this is funny it was a pretty scary thing for a kid to go through.

My grandfather used to wear a cross, Italian horn, and Jewish Star all on the same chain. I asked him once why and he replied that he was not sure which one was right and wanted to make sure he had his basis covered.

Some of you guys better hope the JW's and/or Mormans are wrong.

I don't talk to telemarketers for long.

I politely tell them that I'm on the national "do not call" list and would prefer not to do business over the phone.

It take less than ten seconds.


This thread makes me smile :)


KT

willstile.com