Attempted Burglary alert
Re: Attempted Burglary alert
Well - it has to be said that you are not me, and as a woman alone you might think differently, who knows? I don't feel remotely under siege, but I do take sensible precautions before opening the door if I don't know who is on the other side. It's part of living in a metropolis in current times - it doesn't stop me being a social animal and having a full life. I also don''t want to be doorstepped by religious recruiters (as I have been in the past) or market research callers - I have far better things to do with my spare time
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CaptainCarCrash
- Posts: 2852
- Joined: 23 Jun 2009 20:04
- Location: Even further than before
Re: Attempted Burglary alert
I always answer the door, just in case it's an A and R man telling me they want me to play on a world tour backing up the latest talent. It could also be the ACME photon plasma reciptical core I ordered being delivered for my latest experiment.
Having said this, during the riots I was a little worried because I was in the house alone all that week and my imagination was running wild. I doubt I'd have answered the doorbell without some sort of weapon at arms length which in itself is a pretty stupid way to behave so I can understand why people dont.
Having said this, during the riots I was a little worried because I was in the house alone all that week and my imagination was running wild. I doubt I'd have answered the doorbell without some sort of weapon at arms length which in itself is a pretty stupid way to behave so I can understand why people dont.
Re: Attempted Burglary alert
Answering the door can never be guaranteed given fake badges or someone just barging in or with a distracting accomplice. A friend installed a grill door outside the inner flat front door. I asked if because worried; reply was that can't be too careful. It would worry me that I'd blocked off my escape route in case of fire, but hey, each to his own.
@ rodtaylor: I haven't been approached by a door-knocker charity collector. I thought they weren't allowed to solicit for cash these days? Years ago elsewhere, for a reputable charity, I'd put envelopes through doors and then collect them. The first year, the "pitch" (street address) allocated to me "did good", receiving about £132 IIRC. The next year, virtually nothing. People either not interested, or had set up annual tax relief covenants, or put buttons in! (What's that all about since hardly funny and could just have ignored it.) Some put a penny in, which I respected since if everyone in the country gave £0.01, it would of course add up. When you say "major charities", I assume the collectors are legit?
@ rodtaylor: I haven't been approached by a door-knocker charity collector. I thought they weren't allowed to solicit for cash these days? Years ago elsewhere, for a reputable charity, I'd put envelopes through doors and then collect them. The first year, the "pitch" (street address) allocated to me "did good", receiving about £132 IIRC. The next year, virtually nothing. People either not interested, or had set up annual tax relief covenants, or put buttons in! (What's that all about since hardly funny and could just have ignored it.) Some put a penny in, which I respected since if everyone in the country gave £0.01, it would of course add up. When you say "major charities", I assume the collectors are legit?
Re: Attempted Burglary alert
Hi, your interpretation of my comment as evidence of me being reluctant to open my door is valid as a possibility but, wrong in my case. (I may have misread and if so, apologise for writing pre-coffee)
You seem to first infer there is fear on my part and that’s not it.
What about if I've looked through the window first and then don't answer?
Sometimes I just treat unexpected door-rings as I would unsolicited mail or calls from numbers I don't recognise. I simply choose to answer or not depending on what I'm doing, so if I do happen to answer and it's a charity or Sky or whatever, I'm still polite but, not interested.... unless it's ACME, of course.
Regarding your statement of peoples complacency about their community; are you really sure that my not answering my bell is demonstrative of that? Naturally, I think that is wrong and would ask you to say how is that exactly?
There's a myriad of reasons for not answering the door and fear may be a part of it for some.
It may be a strong dose of healthy caution or, a bad experience with a convincing Tupperware seller.
I get on superbly with my neighbours and more than a few of us have each other’s phone numbers, collect mail, move bins back in place and have a good old natter whenever the occasion pops up. That's the type of thing I like to encounter and am glad I get that living in Sydenham. I know that it is a real bonus to have good neighbours so was happy to speak to the police about improving the security for the vulnerable person whose garden the would-be burglars came through.
Similar to Mosy’s friend, some of my colleagues at work have grilles on their doors and I shudder at the thought but, can understand why they feel the need. As Mosy says, blocking off a fire escape that way gives me the creeps.
You seem to first infer there is fear on my part and that’s not it.
What about if I've looked through the window first and then don't answer?
Sometimes I just treat unexpected door-rings as I would unsolicited mail or calls from numbers I don't recognise. I simply choose to answer or not depending on what I'm doing, so if I do happen to answer and it's a charity or Sky or whatever, I'm still polite but, not interested.... unless it's ACME, of course.
Regarding your statement of peoples complacency about their community; are you really sure that my not answering my bell is demonstrative of that? Naturally, I think that is wrong and would ask you to say how is that exactly?
There's a myriad of reasons for not answering the door and fear may be a part of it for some.
It may be a strong dose of healthy caution or, a bad experience with a convincing Tupperware seller.
I get on superbly with my neighbours and more than a few of us have each other’s phone numbers, collect mail, move bins back in place and have a good old natter whenever the occasion pops up. That's the type of thing I like to encounter and am glad I get that living in Sydenham. I know that it is a real bonus to have good neighbours so was happy to speak to the police about improving the security for the vulnerable person whose garden the would-be burglars came through.
Similar to Mosy’s friend, some of my colleagues at work have grilles on their doors and I shudder at the thought but, can understand why they feel the need. As Mosy says, blocking off a fire escape that way gives me the creeps.
Re: Attempted Burglary alert
Hi,
once I've engaged with someone by answering the door or my phone, I can still say, 'I don't want to talk to you' if I don’t want what is being offered. That in itself requires the introduction and pitch to be made from them.
A sales-person or cold caller can only pitch/ beg/ sign you up etc once you’ve answered and as your door-step is effectively their office, they are trained to counter many objections (feel-felt-found, NLP, one time offer etc). Not answering at all tells the caller that I'm simply not available at this time even if I would benefit or be remotely interested in whatever Kitchen the caller is selling Directly.
In a nutshell, it’s more about timing where I’m concerned. If the time is right and I want to, I’ll answer and if not, I’m equally comfortable with that decision too.
I’ve sometimes imagined I’d heard the door-bell and gone to check, only to find tumbleweed and my cat looking at me as if she obviously knew it was just the radio or tv. Given that her actions are what alerted me to the original attempted burglary last year, she doesn’t quite roll her eyes at me but, she does know better and knows that I know it.
once I've engaged with someone by answering the door or my phone, I can still say, 'I don't want to talk to you' if I don’t want what is being offered. That in itself requires the introduction and pitch to be made from them.
A sales-person or cold caller can only pitch/ beg/ sign you up etc once you’ve answered and as your door-step is effectively their office, they are trained to counter many objections (feel-felt-found, NLP, one time offer etc). Not answering at all tells the caller that I'm simply not available at this time even if I would benefit or be remotely interested in whatever Kitchen the caller is selling Directly.
In a nutshell, it’s more about timing where I’m concerned. If the time is right and I want to, I’ll answer and if not, I’m equally comfortable with that decision too.
I’ve sometimes imagined I’d heard the door-bell and gone to check, only to find tumbleweed and my cat looking at me as if she obviously knew it was just the radio or tv. Given that her actions are what alerted me to the original attempted burglary last year, she doesn’t quite roll her eyes at me but, she does know better and knows that I know it.
Re: Attempted Burglary alert
I always open the door except on October 31st. However, earlier this week, it was two carollers. A bit early I thought so i muttered some excuse and shut the door.
This abuse of a grand tradition to make money is as bad as door stepping salesmen. Indeed worse because they are exploiting what should be a gift to us - a good rendition, in tune, lasting for more than 30 secs and not before Christmas Week.
Your ever loving Scrooge.
This abuse of a grand tradition to make money is as bad as door stepping salesmen. Indeed worse because they are exploiting what should be a gift to us - a good rendition, in tune, lasting for more than 30 secs and not before Christmas Week.
Your ever loving Scrooge.
Re: Attempted Burglary alert
Yes, answering the door can prove quite expensive. Halloweeners, soon followed by 'penny for the guy' hopefuls, then carol singers and charity collectors all year round. My policy is never answer the door unless I'm expecting someone (then nobody gets offended). Even then, check carefully who it is before opening the door, just in case it's the bloke asking to see my TV license.
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CaptainCarCrash
- Posts: 2852
- Joined: 23 Jun 2009 20:04
- Location: Even further than before
Re: Attempted Burglary alert
HAHA!
It's like a dickensian misers convention round ere
I don't mind giving a few pence to carol singers or penny for the guyers but I draw the line at those horrid political canvasers.
It's like a dickensian misers convention round ere
I don't mind giving a few pence to carol singers or penny for the guyers but I draw the line at those horrid political canvasers.
Re: Attempted Burglary alert
'Tis the seasons for complaints about the commercialisation of Christmas.stuart wrote:This abuse of a grand tradition to make money is as bad as door stepping salesmen. Indeed worse because they are exploiting what should be a gift to us.
Re: Attempted Burglary alert
There was another attempted burglary last night (Halifax St). Police came round about 10.45 to tell us they'd probably climbed through our back garden. They smashed a neighbour's window with a spade. Someone was home so I don't think they got in. Still really scary.