No I don't. We actually have a small sign on our window which says we do not buy from salesmen or answer market research, or buy from hawkers or tradesmen. It was issued by our local police and is endorsed by them. We also belong to a neighbourhood watch group and get regular e-mails on any break-ins etc that may have happened locally.

I must be a scrooge. Now that my DDs are too old to trick-or-treat, I no longer pass out candy. For one thing, my kids aren't out there trick-or-treating anymore. Also, our HOA has this ridiculous thing about trick-or-treating on a weekend so the kids don't have to trick-or-treat on a school night. The problem with that is we still get a lot of trick-or-treaters on Halloween, which means passing out candy twice. Lastly, there are the double dippers who don't think I'm smart enough to notice they've been to my house more than once. They wear memorable costumes and don't even bother to change before coming around for seconds. So, our family decided to quit giving out candy. We always leave our light off and post a sign on the front door so people know.

We have a window to peek out, but generally I hide unless I know it's my UPS guy. Next month, however, I WILL go to the door or to the adjacent breakfast nook in order to be seen, cell phone in hand, and will offer or pretend to take a photo of the person. Why? A few years ago during the Christmas season, a guy rang our bell a few times. DH was napping since he works at night, DD was home in bed sick, and I was at work. Figuring nobody was at home, the guy broke down our door. DH heard the door frame cracking and rushed out, chasing the guy out and down the stairs until he jumped into a waiting car. If the would be burglar were smarter, he would have gone around to our other doors which are much lighter and even I or you could break down without much effort since they are *vintage*.

Rachy's story reminded me of my ex-boyfriend's dad, who once got the religious pamphlet people to mow his lawn for him. Basically, they came to the door, wanted him to read their pamphlet, and he said, "well, I really have to mow my lawn before my wife gets home, so if you mow the lawn I'll read the pamphlet." So he sat on the porch swing with the pamphlet and his drink, while they mowed his lawn. And afterwards, they had a discussion about whatever religious beliefs they were trying to sell him on, in which he basically politely told them they were crazy.

I never answer my door unless I am expecting a fabulous Nordstrom's package from the UPS man.

I screen all phone calls, most of which are annoying marketers.

It's my world, I control who's in it.

Not only don't I always answer the door, I'm not letting the cops in without a warrant, either!

Wow, I didn't realize that there was still so much door to door stuff. I only get the religious people every once in a while. And no, I don't always answer the door. On a couple of occasions, I have had the missionaries in for tea, but I had nothing to do and they were wonderful company. But generally, I don't have the time or the patience.

It is one of those things that if you give them a little time, they are trained to keep pulling a little more and more and then it is one hour later.

Don't feel bad.

For some reason our neighborhood seems to be a magnet for people selling cable TV subscriptions, garden paving slabs, all kinds of home improvement work, and insulation. And, of course, a hundred different charities soliciting donations, it seems. I always get suckered into answering the door but I can usually get them to go away pretty quickly. Once in a while I have a nice chat (usually with the university students who are working for charities), because my accent makes them curious about why I am here, but mostly they are just annoying.

The TV people can never understand why I'm not interested in a super fabulous all-you-can-eat reality TV and sports package, though. I must be a freak!

I wouldn't feel guilty - to put it in classic "Downton Abbey " terms you are not "At Home for callers " . Some organizational books like the" Sidetracked Home Executives" recomend having certain days that are for haveing errands/friends over/out to lunch etc. so that the things that need to get done don't just get thrown to the winds of good intention.(Hilarious book by the way).

Nope, I don't answer the door unless I am expecting someone.

It is for safety as well as not being annoyed. Especially now that we have a little one. Yes, we live in a good neighborhood, but who knows? And I didn't always live in a good neighborhood, so some habits just stick.

I don't care if they see me. They have no rights to my time.

We received an email from our HOA this past week about a peeping Tom peering through basement windows in the subdivision right next to ours. We had to remind our DDs to keep the doors locked, etc. No place is ever 100% safe. Thank God we have an alarm system.

Can I tell you a story from the other side of the door?

I grew up in a family that one of those religions that knock on people's door. I left the religion as soon as I was old enough to do so. The one thing I hated more than anything was the preaching. So one day, I was out with my dad and we knocked at a door where it could be clearly heard that a couple were having sex. I was old enough to know what was happening and if the ground could have swallowed me whole, I would have been happier right at that moment. The people sort of shouted from inside that they were busy and my father said he would come back later. And he insisted we did. Fortunately they didn't answer the second time round. It was a defining moment for me and I started refusing to go out not long after that.

Spare a thought for the kids who are dragged along with their well meaning but annoying parents!

Anyways - I now live in a house with high walls and an intercom that doesn't work and I keep it that way for a reason. I only answer the door if I am expecting someone.

I love it when my daughter's giant German Shepherd is visiting. He's so protective of the perimeters he lunges at the door and barks like a crazy dog when the bell rings. You'd think there was a pack of wild beasts in the house.

When he's not here I rely on our intercom to screen out everyone except postal driver, ups, fedex, or anyone else delivering goodies.

The only one I answer the door for is the UPS person. I don't answer the door for anyone else, and I don't hide either. Sometimes if I'm in a really bratty mood, I will wave to them through the big picture window and then walk away.

So many times solicitors use our desire to be polite to their advantage. Since I feel that it is very rude to intrude upon my precious, personal time at home with my family, I do not feel bad about being rude to get rid of them. Many times when I have answered the door I let my overly friendly, annoying lab right out and they are so busy trying to get her to stop jumping on them/licking them that they are much less likely to want to stick around. But to answer your questions, it's your house. If you don't want to answer the door that's your prerogative.