So Some Jehovah's Witnesses Knocked Today

[Imsogone]

Whether it's JWs, Mormons or some other brand of evangelical whatsis, I just say, politely, "I'm not interested, thank you" and close the door. It works quite well. They don't usually return. When they do, they tend to choose a time when I'm not home and leave a tract, which I am then at liberty to recycle.

[Gun Manufacturers]

Fortunately for me (I can't debate for shit), I wasn't making any noise, so I pretended not to be home and they left for the next door (I observed this through the peephole to my apartment door).

That said, what's a good way in dealing with them if they come around later?

Just say you're not interested, and close the door.

[Gauntleted Fist]

I wish closing the door worked on the people here. They also come at like 6:00 am on Sunday. Then again, I do live in Alabama, so my particular set of religious fundies may be just a bit more adamant than some. Though they get this really horrified look on there face when I tell them I'm atheist and not interested. They keep coming back.

[Sarkhaan]

How about recognizing that they are fellow human beings and not being a douchebag?

Seriously. How hard is it to open the door, and politely say "No, thank you. Have a good day."?

I work as a canvasser. I get a lot of shit. A lot. You aren't as witty or sharp as you think. I've heard the jokes before. I've been told to fuck off before. I've been called a faggot before. I've been ignored, I've been spit on, I've been threatened, I've been screamed at, I've been called a clipboard. Is it really that difficult to treat another human being with a basic level of respect? How would you like it if someone turned on their sprinklers while you're doing your job? Or if they screamed at you? Or if they slammed the door in your face?


In other words, don't be a dick.

[Gauntleted Fist]

In other words, don't be a dick.

So I should call the police only after the fifth time of telling them "Not interested really means not interested"?

[Bum Venit Grata]

You should invite them to talk about the word of god...they won't know how to respond to that

[Sarkhaan]

Tell them you're not interested and close the door. Less entertaining than feigning a Satanic ritual or incestuous orgy, but it'd work.

Usually they'll come back though.

"As I said previously, I am not interested. I would appreciate it if you would take me off your contact list. Thanks, and have a nice day!"

If further attempts are made, "Again, I am not interested. Further contact might push into harassment, and I'm sure neither of us want to deal with that. Thanks, and have a nice day!"

[Serrland]

Usually they'll come back though.

"As I said previously, I am not interested. I would appreciate it if you would take me off your contact list. Thanks, and have a nice day!"

If further attempts are made, "Again, I am not interested. Further contact might push into harassment, and I'm sure neither of us want to deal with that. Thanks, and have a nice day!"

In 2009 I went door to door passing out buttons for a mayoral candidate in my town. I wish so badly that people had taken the approach you just suggested.

[Sarkhaan]

In other words, don't be a dick.

So I should call the police only after the fifth time of telling them "Not interested really means not interested"?

Did I say that? One can inform them on the first visit that any further contact will be considered harassment, if one wishes. They can even do that politely.

There is still no reason to be a dick.

Ever.

[Al-Harakut al-Islami]

Uh, invite them in, be respectful and tell them calmly that you're not interested and that what they did won't make you convert?

*looks around*
Wait, no! I was just kidding! Don't-- What the hell are you-- Aaaaugh~!!

[Sarkhaan]

"As I said previously, I am not interested. I would appreciate it if you would take me off your contact list. Thanks, and have a nice day!"

If further attempts are made, "Again, I am not interested. Further contact might push into harassment, and I'm sure neither of us want to deal with that. Thanks, and have a nice day!"

In 2009 I went door to door passing out buttons for a mayoral candidate in my town. I wish so badly that people had taken the approach you just suggested.

Try being a bisexual male canvassing for a gay rights group. Nothing like being reminded multiple times daily that you are a second class citizen in their eyes.

I'll illustrate this point a little.

Yesterday, I had a man say to me "No, I don't support gay rights, but I sure wish we had the right to kill those fags". He found himself funny. Truly sad.
Today, I had a woman say "No, sweetie. I'm sorry, but I don't, as my religion opposes it. But I hope you have a good day and enjoy the nice weather!"

Both view me as a second class citizen. One was somewhat crushing. The other was actually reasonably pleasant.

[Gauntleted Fist]

So I should call the police only after the fifth time of telling them "Not interested really means not interested"?

Did I say that? One can inform them on the first visit that any further contact will be considered harassment, if one wishes. They can even do that politely.

There is still no reason to be a dick.

Ever.

You're very hostile over this, and, from your previous post, I understand why. Having said that, I was being facetious.

The most individual repeat visitor I've had was five times (hence the number), but I think he's finally taken the hint. Well, I hope he has, anyway. I hate being woken up at 6:00 am to the doorbell being spammed.

[Sneekydee]

I always tell them that I am Eastern Catholic and firm in my beliefs, and that while I respect their right to come door to door, I do not agree with the theology they espouse. They usually respect that, wish me a good day, and go on to the next house. There's really no need to be rude, supposing they come calling at a decent hour.

Basically this^

[Al-Harakut al-Islami]

I miss having Muslim roommates, that was usually enough to spook our local JW's off.

*begging on hands and knees with tears in my eyes to hear stories*

[Sarkhaan]

Did I say that? One can inform them on the first visit that any further contact will be considered harassment, if one wishes. They can even do that politely.

There is still no reason to be a dick.

Ever.

You're very hostile over this, and, from your previous post, I understand why. Having said that, I was being facetious.

The most individual repeat visitor I've had was five times (hence the number), but I think he's finally taken the hint. Well, I hope he has, anyway. I hate being woken up at 6:00 am to the doorbell being spammed.

Sorry . I had a particularly bad day on turf today and sincerely am having trouble understanding why people can be so cruel to a total stranger. Perhaps I'll be better after a burrito and beer.

[Caninope]

You're very hostile over this, and, from your previous post, I understand why. Having said that, I was being facetious.

The most individual repeat visitor I've had was five times (hence the number), but I think he's finally taken the hint. Well, I hope he has, anyway. I hate being woken up at 6:00 am to the doorbell being spammed.

Sorry . I had a particularly bad day on turf today and sincerely am having trouble understanding why people can be so cruel to a total stranger. Perhaps I'll be better after a burrito and beer.

Burrito? Burrito? You traitor!

[Gauntleted Fist]

Sorry . I had a particularly bad day on turf today and sincerely am having trouble understanding why people can be so cruel to a total stranger. Perhaps I'll be better after a burrito and beer.

Nah, don't be. i should've been a little clearer. =P

And burritos make everything better! Except [x].

[Sarkhaan]

Sorry . I had a particularly bad day on turf today and sincerely am having trouble understanding why people can be so cruel to a total stranger. Perhaps I'll be better after a burrito and beer.

Nah, don't be. i should've been a little clearer. =P

And burritos make everything better! Except [x].

I saw that you had said it and was shocked. That should be a good clue that they weren't serious...haha

[Grave_n_idle]

Fortunately for me (I can't debate for shit), I wasn't making any noise, so I pretended not to be home and they left for the next door (I observed this through the peephole to my apartment door).

That said, what's a good way in dealing with them if they come around later?

I really enjoyed talking to the Witnesses that came to my house, and made a point of sitting with them and having in-depth discussion every time they visited. I haven't seen any, now, in half a decade. *shrugs*

[The Archregimancy]

I always tell them that I am Eastern Catholic and firm in my beliefs, and that while I respect their right to come door to door, I do not agree with the theology they espouse. They usually respect that, wish me a good day, and go on to the next house. There's really no need to be rude, supposing they come calling at a decent hour.

Substitute "Russian Orthodox" for "Eastern Catholic", and this is essentially my response. We have a Kingdom Hall just a 5 minute walk away, so different bands stop by twice a year.

(And to answer another point of Serrland's earlier in the thread, I can confirm that Revelation is the only book of the Bible not read out in Orthodox church services; this is common to all churches of Eastern Orthodox origin).

How about recognizing that they are fellow human beings and not being a douchebag?

Seriously. How hard is it to open the door, and politely say "No, thank you. Have a good day."?

I work as a canvasser. I get a lot of shit. A lot. You aren't as witty or sharp as you think. I've heard the jokes before. I've been told to fuck off before. I've been called a faggot before. I've been ignored, I've been spit on, I've been threatened, I've been screamed at, I've been called a clipboard. Is it really that difficult to treat another human being with a basic level of respect? How would you like it if someone turned on their sprinklers while you're doing your job? Or if they screamed at you? Or if they slammed the door in your face?

In other words, don't be a dick.

Quite. I have been a census taker (in the 2001 UK census) and a canvasser for a UK political party, and I see no reason to be rude to someone who comes to my door. I've been on the receiving end; not quite so badly as Sarkhaan has, but on the receiving end all the same. And whether you take the Christian (do unto others as you would have them do unto you) or Confucian (do not do unto others what you would not have them do unto you) view, being polite is a much better route to take than being rude.

I have been known to invite Mormons in for a discussion of North American archaeology over a cup of tea; but even then I'm not disrespectful or rude.

[A Ant]

I had a particularly bad day on turf today and sincerely am having trouble understanding why people can be so cruel to a total stranger.

You're a stranger and thus less of a person. It's the monkeysphere.

[Xarithis]

Fortunately for me (I can't debate for shit), I wasn't making any noise, so I pretended not to be home and they left for the next door (I observed this through the peephole to my apartment door).

That said, what's a good way in dealing with them if they come around later?

Answer your door while completely nude, and before they are able to think of a response, shout "Hey, you guys are just in time for the party!"

Guaranteed to work 68% of the time.

Or, just tell them that you are not interested. They usually get it the first or second time.

[GSSR]

open the door just an inch and stick an airsoft gun barrel out the door(loaded)

Good idea!

[UCUMAY]

Fortunately for me (I can't debate for shit), I wasn't making any noise, so I pretended not to be home and they left for the next door (I observed this through the peephole to my apartment door).

That said, what's a good way in dealing with them if they come around later?

I'd love to say... "I used to be a guy." Or "I'm a hooker."

[A Ant]

Fortunately for me (I can't debate for shit), I wasn't making any noise, so I pretended not to be home and they left for the next door (I observed this through the peephole to my apartment door).

That said, what's a good way in dealing with them if they come around later?

I'd love to say... "I used to be a guy." Or "I'm a hooker."

Are either of those statements actually true? Because you should be aware of all the terrible things that happen if you lie to the people of God.