Crime rates were much higher in America twenty years ago. Fear hype in the media may not have been as bad though.

But since the girl scouts sell those addictive thin mints at the grocery store now and now door to door I haven’t bothered.

So Wacky Mommy made a sign that said something like “NO solicitors NO canvassers NO petitioners NO religion NO anything!”

This had the unfortunate side-effect of pissing off our mailman.

My standard line to canvassers is this: we do all of our charitable donations at the end of the year, and we only donate directly to organizations. Feel free to leave literature and we’ll consider your organization. (Did you know some canvassers are paid 40% commission?)

My house…my rules. bye bye

A few years ago my viewpoint on canvassers changed when I did canvassing on a political campaign I was involved in. It was the hardest thing I had ever done, putting myself out there at people’s doors like that, schlepping through neighborhoods. People are mean. And some people I had wonderful conversations with. But it was really hard on a personal level. Now when people canvassing for issues that I’m on the same side of the issue as them come to the door, I offer them something to drink, smile, and thank them for doing what they’re doing.

My wife does not know how to say “no.” So, like your husband, she hears the door knock and then runs to another part of the house, leaving me to deal with these people. 99 times out of 100, the solicitation involves a combination of joining some cause AND coughing up some dough.

And these people know their scripts. “I don’t have any money today.” “But it’s only $5 for a basic membership.” “Do you have a website I could visit after payday?” “No, but here’s a form you can fill out w/ your credit card/checking account/other top secret information, and of course you can trust me because I claim to be legitimate.”

I’ve taken to being firm but sorta-kinda mean but a bit nice, and have shortened the average conversation from 7 minutes to 2. My wife says “that’s so mean, I feel so sorry for them, it’s so hot out, etc.” But in the end, the desired goal has been met.

Anyway, think I’ll get the sign. Maybe a few less conversations a year…

However – I know that I am sometimes completely oblivious to things like that. We had that sign on the front door of our old office – people often sill came in soliciting and my boss made a comment about “can’t they see the sign?” Me who walked through that door at least once a day for 2+ years said “what sign?”

So I’ll give ‘em some slack – as long as they leave without protest when I point at the sign and say no thanks.

Don’t even ask about Plan 9.

In a previous life, I ignored no soliciting signs with a passion. Once, the no soliciting sign fell off the door, clanging on the front porch just as the homeowner opened the door. I picked the sign up, kind of laughing, which made the homeowner laugh. We had a great conversation. I don’t remember if I got an appointment. (In my dreams, I’m positive I did.)

I’ve haven’t done door-to-door SALES for years. I still do lots of political door knocking? Now, I think no soliciting signs are HOLY WRIT. To be OBEYED. Unfortunately, there are lots of folks still like the OLD me.

You know what we do now at our house? We just don’t answer the door unless we know who it is. Except for kids selling candy. I’m a sucker for the king size Kit-Kat bars.