Good afternoon Sir. I'm visiting your neighborhood today to...

I really detest door-to-door salespeople. Well, not the people themselves, but just the fact that someone comes to my door in an attempt to sell me something or talk with me about their religious philosophy...unsolicited.

When I want to buy something, I go to the store and buy it or I search the Internet and when I find what I’m looking for, I buy it.That someone would come to the door of my Castle to see if I would be interested in buying their product is beyond me.

My Step-Dad was a master of engaging door-to-door salespeople.In the 70s, I remember they usually came to the door at dinner time selling insurance, encyclopedias, whatever.He would engage them in conversation and get them distracted, we thought almost to the point of them forgetting what they were selling.He would ask them where they were from and then weave a wild tale of being from the same place and then keep them talking for many minutes.I don’t remember my dad ever buying anything from someone at the door.

Is it cruel to string someone on? After all they are for the most part just trying to make a living.I guess the ones asking for a handout are just trying to make a living too.


Usually I give them an immediate, “I’m not interested” and close the door. I give school kids longer, usually because they are collecting for a school trip or other fundraiser, usually a dollar or five will do here…that’s about all your going to get from me at the door.

Because I have a security system, these encounters are recorded; I have a note on the window that says: "You are being recorded." I like to watch the non-verbal’s before I come to the door and after I close the door.