Semantics. Am I wrong?

[Zeke]

Originally Posted by Rick Lee

A ringing doorbell is not a call to action.

Hear, hear! Neither is a phone, cell or land. I get to them when I feel like it.

[cashflyer]

Originally Posted by Bill Douglas

Ha, I had fun with a caller from Singapore. I asked what she was doing phoning a crime scene and at the moment she is the prime suspect etc. She was very upset. Told her the number had been traced and for her to go to the nearest police station and hand herself in.

Tom? Is that you???

[nostatic]

Geez, no solicitors? What do you guys have against prostitutes? They're just trying to earn a living...

[Z-man]

^ Brilliant! (The phone call tape recording thing, that is...)

[LeeH]

Originally Posted by trekkor

I get the feeling, some folks here do not have respect for others or have the ability to be polite because it may cost you 20 seconds of you busy day...

As a business owner, I did begin to get defensive regarding solicitors. Unless you've had a store front and/or a business telephone it's really hard to imagine how many solicitors attempt to get through on a daily basis. It's really almost comical how many phones calls and walk-in sales calls we would get in a week.

[trekkor]

Originally Posted by IROC

No. I never said that. But that is completely irrelevant. Everyone in the neighborhood might not agree with the stop sign that is also at the front of our neighborhood, but that doesn't mean they can ignore it without adverse consequences.

Of course, you do realize a stop sign is put up by your local public works after studies of the intersection and enforced by the police.
The other sign was put up by someone on a whim and not backed by law...

Yes. I do not expect my neighbors to come over to my house and tell me I am going to hell. I don't appreciate that. Especially when there is a sign that specifically tells them not to do that. Just like I wouldn't appreciate them running the stop sign and t-boning me.

Free speech is protected, running stop signs is not.

I can't control what others say, but I can control who I speak to.
If you have a problem with someone coming to your door with something you don't want, no matter what the topic/offer, why don't you simply ask them to stop coming?

Is this really that difficult?


KT

[Rick Lee]

Originally Posted by trekkor

If you have a problem with someone coming to your door with something you don't want, no matter what the topic/offer, why don't you simply ask them to stop coming?

Is this really that difficult?


KT

Not difficult at all. I think a no soliciting sign asks them to stop coming a lot more politely than I would do in person.

[germanv82000]

Trekkor is right!

[944Larry]

Originally Posted by germanv82000

Trekkor is right!

Care to enlighten us on exactly what it is he's "right" about.

[herr_oberst]

Originally Posted by trekkor

If you have a problem with someone coming to your door with something you don't want, no matter what the topic/offer, why don't you simply ask them to stop coming?


KT

Thats exactly what I've done - with a No Soliciting sign above the doorbell!

Now get out of my yard!!

[trekkor]

I kinda get the feeling some of you guys would get bent if a new neighbor came to introduce themselves at your door without your permission...


KT

[Noah930]

Well, is she hot?

[herr_oberst]

Originally Posted by trekkor

I kinda get the feeling some of you guys would get bent if a new neighbor came to introduce themselves at your door without your permission...


KT

I think the point of the notice is sort of being missed on you, trek. Do you really think the new neighbor will look at a No Soliciting sign and turn around?

Edit - I like the idea of amending the sign to say "unless you're a hot young female with a liberal view of recreational sex"!

[944Larry]

Originally Posted by trekkor

I kinda get the feeling some of you guys would get bent if a new neighbor came to introduce themselves at your door without your permission...


KT

I think I'd notice the moving van next door. I think you've missed the point on this deal. I don't think anybody here has a problem with new neighbors, lost people, people upside down in their car down the street, wrong house. etc. The problem is the idiots that come to your door and you have a sign posted to the contrary. Or the witnesses or the Mormons that come to your door to convert you. This is 21st century America. Not much conversion goes on anymore. I think most peoples mind is made up. I've had several people come by lately selling meat. Out of a freezer setting in the back of a POS pick-up. They don't seem to want to take no for an answer. Had one that was going up into my house to "make room" in the freezer when I told him I didn't have room for all that meat. My wife took care of that one in a hurry. Oh yes, and if that new neighbor is a "yankee liberal" that moves here for the warm weather, he can stay away from my place too.

[ShakinJoe]

Funny

[JavaBrewer]

KT believes he is doing his God's will and that 1. We are fortunate to have him at our door and 2. Fools to not see the truth. Carry on.

[emcon5]

Originally Posted by 944Larry

I think you've missed the point on this deal. I don't think anybody here has a problem with new neighbors, lost people, people upside down in their car down the street, wrong house. etc.

I think you need to re-read the thread. They don't care about anyone they do not know or expect, which encompass everyone you just listed.

Originally Posted by Rick Lee

I just don't answer my door unless I'm expecting someone. My doorbell is broken and I won't bother to fix it. A ringing doorbell is not a call to action.

Originally Posted by Tobra

KT, the only strangers that knock on your door want something from you. I barely have time for the people I care about, not enough to give away to ones I don't know.

Originally Posted by BReif61

If I am not expecting anyone, I don't answer the door. Anyone that would like to get in touch with me has my number and gets in touch with me prior to coming.

Originally Posted by syncroid

The policy at our house is: If someone is knocking at the door, we will answer it "if we feel like it." They can knock till the cows come home. Its my house!

Trek nailed it, in my opinion:

Originally Posted by trekkor

I get the feeling, some folks here do not have respect for others or have the ability to be polite because it may cost you 20 seconds of you busy day...

If a Mormon or JW group knocks on the door, I say no thank you and they go on their way. Same goes to salesmen. Life is too short to get butt-hurt over such trivia.

[Rick Lee]

Originally Posted by emcon5

Trek nailed it, in my opinion:



If a Mormon or JW group knocks on the door, I say no thank you and they go on their way. Same goes to salesmen. Life is too short to get butt-hurt over such trivia.

Who gets butt-hurt over this? Since I don't answer my door, it's a non-issue. However, if it weren't for proselytizers and salesmen ignoring signs, perhaps I would open the door for someone who really needs something. You can thank the others for making it a PITA and ensuring no strangers gets any of my time (at my house). Anyway, there's no chance of someone knocking on my door needing emergency help, since many other houses are closer to the main road and intersections.

[ossiblue]

We need to pull this back to the OP's point--he had a "No Soliciting" sign that was being ignored.

Your home is your refuge, your sanctuary away from the "public marketplace" and your privacy and desire to not be disturbed is protected by law and custom. Anyone who approaches your home is, by definition, an "intruder" (even someone you know) and the owner has every right to determine whether or not to acknowledge that person or let them in. If it is someone you know, the decision is usually split-second and without thought. If it is a stranger, wariness and caution come into play, as it may be someone in need.

A solicitor violates the basic tenet of the sanctity of the home by bringing the marketplace to the front door. That is the definition of a solicitor--someone who tries to "sell" you products or ideas and you have every right to refuse them entrance and every right to post notice with a sign. If they proceed to your door, ignoring the sign, it is they who are showing the ultimate disrespect for your right to be let alone. They should be treated accordingly.