Get Off My Porch!

I hate it when anyone knocks on my door without calling first--it's a form of inconsideration. So you can imagine that I really, really hate it when random solicitors knock.

At my house there's a sign on the outside gate that greets a prospective guest with the admonition that "No Soliciting" is welcome by the occupants therein. Then, as a secondary measure, a printed sign hangs on the security door (hey, I live in South Central LA) with following message appearing almost like this

NO SOLICITING MEANS DO NOT KNOCK ON THIS DOOR SELLING ANYTHING, GIVING ANYTHING AWAY, ASKING ME TO SIGN ANYTHING, BEGGING FOR ANYTHING OR TRYING TO CONVERT ME TO YOUR RELIGION.

except that on the sign, the font size is 36. It's meant for those whose vocabulary may not including the verb 'to solicit.'

So why did some guy knock on my door anyway yesterday? When I pointed to both "no soliciting" signs, he still had the nerve to try to get me to sign a political petition! I guess that he thought he was too cute to be gainsaid. The answer, however, was--shall we say--an emphatic 'no.'

And, yes, I'm complaining without offering a viable solution--simply because I can't think of one which would keep me out of jail.

Comments

[Phelps]

Next time, tell them that if you don't immediately see anything other than their back that you will have them charged with criminal trespass and sue them for civil trespass.

[Nice Deb]

Tell them you're not interested and slam the door in their face.

[Venomous Kate]

I've got a similar sign above my doorbells, with another one right on the door itself (since some people don't look in both places). It's not quite as wordy -- it just says "No Dropping in and don't try selling us anything!"

People STILL ring the doorbell trying to hawk cleaning products, magazine subscriptions and other crud we don't need.

I'm now considering the strategic placement of claymores.

[baldilocks]

wordy

You got to be specific around here. Folks are always looking for loopholes.

Good to 'see' you, Kate!