Social media post on Mastodon by Dan Moren.
It reads, “ My son just got me out of talking to a door-to-door cable salesman so I guess parenthood was all worth it.”
It’s easy.
- Deny
- Take control
- Show empathy
- Start their departure.
- Make them glad they’re leaving
Cut them off, “Oh, sorry. I’m not interested in that. I need to quickly get back to what I was doing. But you have a good day and try stay cool/warm/dry/etc. out there.” Start stepping back, “And be careful of the dog four doors down, it’s a fucking cunt.”
As you close the door, say “You too, bud.” regardless of what they say, even if they say nothing.
They will never return or pursue, and you won’t feel rude.
It’s ok to be rude. They were rude for showing up at your door in the first place.
Eh, I save rude for the second “Leave.” It’s a human being on the other side of the door. Half the time it’s some kid who just needed a job summer before college. I say hey, I don’t want solar panels right now, have a nice day.
Now, when you tell me to wait, as you stand on my porch, then I’m going to tell you to get off my porch. I still say please though, because my kids might be listening, and I strive to use good manners in all my interactions, in the hopes they will too. You can be firm and polite.
They chose to do an asshole job created by asshole employers.
I don’t have mercy for those people, they could have chosen so many other jobs.
I did this and now my son is crying. Are you sure that’s good advice?
Edit: I might have misunderstood something
here’s what we do,
A: don’t open the door if you see it in advance, however our house is built where other than our electric doorbell we can’t see who’s at the door, peephole is old and foggy.
B: “oh no thanks we’re not interested” often filled with a “no dangit [dogs name] stop barking” / “get back” then close the door because the dog is trying to get out
