It's rude to knock on someone's door without prior notice. amirite?

First unpopular opinion i've seen on here in quite some time

by Anonymous 10 months ago

First original unpopular opinion too cuz huh?

by Kindly-Fuel 10 months ago

Right?! I mean thankful for a good one finally but it does feel left field lol

by Alberta43 10 months ago

That's what I was thinking lol, swap Jehovahs witness w Mormon missionaries for my area tho.

by Anonymous 10 months ago

oh yeah we had plenty of mormon missionaries too

by Anonymous 10 months ago

No, thats what a door bell / knocker is for.

by ZealousidealRow6585 10 months ago

"We are beyond the point of knocking on doors in the history of human social norms" is a hilariously whiny thing to say lmao you nailed it With this mindset though, I bet they actually don't get many visitors and would be safe to assume someone is soliciting lol. "is that a knock on my door? There's simply no way its a friend"

by johnsontiana 10 months ago

I mean, none of my friends would knock or ring the bell (which itself is super strange because I'm not looking at my phone 24/7 and it's on silent), but those are not the only kind of people who can pay you a visit.

by ComprehensiveWill449 10 months ago

OP is 26, so right at the start of Gen Z. I guess we now have adults who don't like the concept of doors lol.

by MurkyCarpenter4863 10 months ago

i have plenty of friends who all have my address, but never have they shown up at my door without calling first except one time when my grandfather passed and they were concerned i would have a breakdown over it

by tonirunte 10 months ago

For sure, it's not a daily occurrence as I also communicate over the phone usually, but on what planet would it be rude if they decided to surprise you? lol i'd be thrilled it would remind me of childhood

by johnsontiana 10 months ago

i mean i would always be happy to see them, i guess the rude part is expecting that just because they show up that i would drop what i was doing/my plans to spend time with them granted the only friends that i think would do that all usually know what i'm doing or have access to my location

by tonirunte 10 months ago

I don't think anyone would expect that though? I mean not my friends at least. if i was like "dude thanks for poppin in, but I was just otw to the store" it would be well received lol

by johnsontiana 10 months ago

lol no. I don't know anyone that should be coming to knock on my door. Unless I specifically invited them. 100% of the time if there's a knock it's unsolicited and my doorbell cam proves it. Nobody should ever be coming to my door and knocking. If one has children then you can have a reasonable expectation of knocks from their friends. But if you're an adult living alone or only with SO then that expectation goes way down. And given the number of armed robberies I see on youtube no thanks. If I don't know you I won't answer.

by pansyrice 10 months ago

The mailman with a signed sending? Police? Someone looking for their cat? Damn, where do you all live to be so paranoid?

by helmer34 10 months ago

What about a damsel in distress needing to use a phone ?

by susieparisian 10 months ago

Lol this isn't a movie. Also that's been used as a false pretense for armed burglaries and home invasion. If that is what it looks like call 911.

by pansyrice 10 months ago

Definitely not answering if it's the cops lol

by ZealousidealPay2813 10 months ago

what if its a neighbor asking for an egg or needing a helping hand or idk something like that?

by Anonymous 10 months ago

I mean yeah, kids are getting shot because they knocked on the wrong door at 4 in the afternoon. Thank goodness I live in Canada, I can't even playing Russian roulette every time you leave your place

by Anonymous 10 months ago

I don't think so. I'm sure as kids for example we would just turn up to our friends' house without any prior notice and ask them to come hang out. Personally I'd say it's okay to knock on someones door without prior notice, seems that perhaps knocking has become out of fashion

by Anonymous 10 months ago

I grew up in rural Minnesota and whenever this happened it was something interesting or someone in need of help. Someone hit a deer, or someone slid out on the unplowed road, or the cops found our mailbox. Now I'm in the city and I kinda wanna make sure it isn't some dasher that just got carjacked or something

by Anonymous 10 months ago

Well even in such situations such as those it'd be more appropriate considering the circumstances to help the person.

by Anonymous 10 months ago

Yeah, the first step is answering the door instead of ignoring it and letting them knock 3 times is what I mean, and in a city it might turn into a Kitty Genovese thing, never know

by Anonymous 10 months ago

Ope. Heya fellow Minnesotan!

by Strong-Mess2749 10 months ago

So what if some kids accidentally kicks a ball on to your lawn? Are they suppose to find your number to call you, to then knock at your door? Just open your door, it's not rude to knock.

by JadedLiving6543 10 months ago

It's my ball now.

by Anonymous 10 months ago

Yay free ball

by InformationSquare 10 months ago

Just eliminate the door, problem solved. Seal off the whole living space and just be done with all human contact and interaction all together.

by ConfectionDull6456 10 months ago

Sorry, not correct. It's rude without a solid reason.

by Anonymous 10 months ago

Dude is the kind of person that never answers phone calls and waits for a text because that's too much human interaction for them.

by OkContribution1537 10 months ago

Why wouldn't you text the reason for calling tho? So many people find it easier to just quickly text back than to go through a full phone call.

by Spare-Evidence7482 10 months ago

By the time they had their three calls declined and then began typing the text, they could have been finished the phone call already.

by Anonymous 10 months ago

If you still call me after I declined twice, I don't want to talk to you anymore lol

by Spare-Evidence7482 10 months ago

Emergencies are a thing. Continuing to call you after having been declined means it's -very urgent-. I don't like calling either, but sometimes you have to.

by Anonymous 10 months ago

Yeah, you're right, but that's DocMedic5's scenario. If I declined 2 calls in a row that means I probably know why you're calling and really don't want to answer. In any other scenario I'd answer the second call.

by Spare-Evidence7482 10 months ago

I'm your neighbour, my house is on fire, I have a baby, left my phone in the fire house and op won't open the door so I can ask him to call 911. Like I hate unannounced guests too but this is extreme.

by According_Wear 10 months ago

Baby that's what 911 is for. What am I gonna do about your house being on fire

by Anonymous 10 months ago

You must not have read the "left my phone in the fire house" part of this short, one-sentence scenario.

by Anonymous 10 months ago

You'll Probably burn to death since I live less than 30ft from you and my house and cellphone are a blazing inferno.

by Dependent_Coach 10 months ago

Knock, then yell.

by kprice 10 months ago

Because quite often having a 30 second phone call is easier than texting back and forth for 5 minutes

by Anonymous 10 months ago

Yeah I keep hearing about these quick 30 second phone calls but all I experience are long ass 15+ minute calls with 95% small talk and 5% the actual conversation that could have been over in 5-6 quick texts. Don't get me wrong, if I like you and I want to chat on the phone, I'll answer. But if you're calling to get something done and you've wasted my time on the phone before, I'm not answering. Text.

by Spare-Evidence7482 10 months ago

I wanted to say this... but was trying to be nice... What a sad world we live in that people are like this. So sad...

by hermannkeenan 10 months ago

Most doors have a method to check who is on the other side too, right? Is OP living in a vault by Vault-Tec?

by MurkyCarpenter4863 10 months ago

What do you think people did before cell phones?

by Oharaitzel 10 months ago

The knock is the notice. It's like saying you refuse to answer your phone when it rings unless you're notified you will be called first.

by SeaAerie9650 10 months ago

I don't answer unknown numbers so I'm not sure this is a good example. If it's important they'll leave me a voicemail but it's most likely spam which is kind of the same as ignoring solicitors.

by VeterinarianWise2841 10 months ago

I like being texted the reason of a call before the call. What's wrong with that?

by Spare-Evidence7482 10 months ago

Hi, I'll be calling you to ask if I can come over "Hello! So, I was wondering if I could come over..."

by Anonymous 10 months ago

"What's wrong with that?" Everything? Sure everyone would love ample notice but that's not how it works. The call is your notice, then you choose whether or not to speak to them.

by Willing_Reply 10 months ago

Still don't think it's wrong to prefer a notice. There's a much higher chance I'll answer your call if I know what you're calling about. And if you text, I can just text you back straight away or just get whatever you need done and avoid the call altogether. I also think that texting is better in many situations where you need or want to go through what was discussed later on.

by Spare-Evidence7482 10 months ago

Once again everything you said applies to everyone. I'm not saying it's "wrong", it's however very delusional to expect in 90%+ of calls.

by Willing_Reply 10 months ago

I don't expect it, and you shouldn't expect me to answer either.

by Spare-Evidence7482 10 months ago

Grow up. Might have been a neighbour who needed help or wanted to ask something. Just check with the peephole who it is and ignore if it looks fishy.

by Anonymous 10 months ago

This JUST HAPPENED to me like 30 min ago and i immediately crouched down in my living room as if they could see me through the peep hole

by Anonymous 10 months ago

Don't knock, call. Don't call, text.

by Anonymous 10 months ago

Don't text, DM Don't DM, smoke signal Don't smoke signal, use flares

by Anonymous 10 months ago

Don't use flares, send a carrier pigeon.

by Constant_Water_5694 10 months ago

Don't send a carrier pigeon, just don't at all

by Nigel77 10 months ago

Eventually AI will be the only thing we have to interact with. My body is ready

by Anonymous 10 months ago

Don't send a carrier pigeon, hold a seance to contact the spirits who will then alert me via ouija board.

by Anonymous 10 months ago

Ouija boards would be too intrusive. Don't want a ghost coming into your house without texting first. What about a bat signal?

by Constant_Water_5694 10 months ago

A light signal that you can SEE from your WINDOW, INSIDE your home? So intrusive How about you think really really hard about what you're trying to tell the person, so maybe they'll hear it in their head telepathically?

by Weak-Platform 10 months ago

Not everyone has alternate means to contact you. Just imagining a little boy wanting his ball out of your background trying to figure out how to send y'all a telegram.

by Kind_Mycologist 10 months ago

I do not answer the door when I'm not aware of anyone that's supposed to be coming over. This is for a couple reasons. My neighbors are relentless about wanting to "borrow" food instead of doing their own grocery shopping. We do get a lot of solicitors. And it's a safety thing.

by Available_Cut 10 months ago

A few years ago I had a medical emergency in my apartment and am now so glad that my neighbor was a decent human being who didn't decide to pretend they weren't home. He met emergency services at the door and let them in our secured building, while his roommate helped me do CPR on my friend.

by SiteAppropriate3999 10 months ago

That's not a unpopular opinion, that's straight up idiotic. Knocking on doors is a hard rooted form of trying to make contact since over a thousand years. For 99.9999999% of people on this planet, there is no other option to contact you. It's that simple. They can't call you forehead. (This includes doorbells)

by Windlerlempi 10 months ago

This pretty just boils down to don't come by unannounced, which is usually best practice.

by Gloomy-Cap-2031 10 months ago

"Ooh dont knock on my door im scared"

by Anonymous 10 months ago

Just check the camera… duh

by oconnerestrella 10 months ago

not everyone has cameras....

by HighwayLoose8058 10 months ago

I absolutely do check my camera, however it's also not cool to knock randomly either especially if I'm not expecting anybody. I'm 25 and grew up on never answering the door for strangers, too many variables. I also have a baby and a hyper dog so getting them all riled up or woken up because you want to sell me something I have no interest in is inappropriate. Leave the flyer and go. I still hide and pretend nobody's home unless it's clearly a child or someone I know.

by Anonymous 10 months ago

It is highly unusual to show up at someone's home without prior notice or invitation. Or, at least it is where I am.

by Equivalent-Value 10 months ago

People are too afraid of each other these days.

by Anonymous 10 months ago

I'm sorry, but you sound a bit entitled as of you're a somebody. Maybe you are younger, but those in my age bracket and older we say we'll be at your place at a certain time but that's it. To call or text that we are here, that sounds like someone who needs to humble themselves a bit

by Anonymous 10 months ago

Hey boomer no one cares what you old farts think anymore

by Grand-Sheepherder 10 months ago

This is unpopular, I'll give you that. It's also sad.

by ConstructionTop4166 10 months ago

Say you're antisocial without saying you're antisocial.

by Anonymous 10 months ago

I mean, I'm completely antisocial, and have no interest in interacting with most of humanity in person, but even I think this makes no sense

by Anonymous 10 months ago

At night is really weird, but like during the day is whatever. Answer if you want or don't

by Elmira40 10 months ago

When I was a teenager my siblings and I RACED to the phone when it rang to be the one who answered it. This was before caller ID and we had no idea who was calling, but damnit we were going to the one who talked to whoever it was! Young people now: Phone rings and they need Xanax. What the hell happened? I think the internet is the best and worst thing to ever happen to the human race.

by SyllabubGeneral 10 months ago

That's what a door is for. The public had a right to knock on the door, then you look out a peep hole and decide whether to open it…

by Anonymous 10 months ago

Would LOVE to see your reaction to someone knocking on your door to tell you your garage is on fire.

by goyettearely 10 months ago

Knockers and doorbells exist because it is rude to open someone's door and strike up a conversation (something that happened quite regularly when I was growing up). It is an indicator that someone is present outside and wants to talk to you. You are free to ignore it, but it is not rude to use these devices for their intended purpose.

by Reggie77 10 months ago

This is not healthy OP

by archrowe 10 months ago

I live in an apartment building, and I'll answer a knock because I know who my neighbors are. But I'm not going down if the doorbell rings and I'm not expecting something.

by jerrell30 10 months ago

I wouldn't say that knocking on someone's door is rude, but I also don't think that the homeowner owes the person knocking on their door anything if they're not expecting someone. If someone rings our doorbell we don't typically answer unless we're expecting someone. I'm under no obligation to give my time to someone if I don't feel like it.

by Anonymous 10 months ago

I miss when friends used to just drop in.

by Keelingelnora 10 months ago

"YOU IN THERE, I'M LETTING YOU KNOW THAT I'M GOING TO KNOCK YOUR DOOR" knock knock

by Breitenberglaur 10 months ago

So you turn to harassment if you don't get your way? Cool, police non emergency line time.

by Agitated-Midnight-15 10 months ago

I just call before I show up. Everyone has a cell phone like 95% of the time. If they don't answer the phone they are busy 😂

by Mysterious_Fudge 10 months ago

Introverts, people haters, sensible people- UNITE!!

by Anonymous 10 months ago

I feel you are my tribe amongst all the other people responding, lol!

by Particular-Bag642 10 months ago

hey man i'm an introvert and i hate everyone else but how tf is knocking on a door rude

by Anonymous 10 months ago

I agree. I never answer random knocks on my door. Anyone that I know will text me before they come to my house.

by Anonymous 10 months ago

I couldn't agree more. Don't call me or knock on my door without asking first.

by Anonymous 10 months ago

You don't need to answer the door, but the mer fact you think it's rude to even try to get your attention is pathetic

by Cool_Marsupial_767 10 months ago

No one says you have to open though? But the claim that knocking without prior notice is rude is ridiculous

by ykerluke 10 months ago

is it rude for someone to knock on your door??? no. No op it is not rude to knock on a door. get over yourself.

by Ill_Succotash 10 months ago

Hard agree. I don't even want people to call me without advance notice.

by Anonymous 10 months ago

To be honest, don't even think about me without telling me first.

by Silver-Apricot-2763 10 months ago

why is this so funny and also so me!

by Euphoric_Detail 10 months ago

By...mail?

by Anonymous 10 months ago

I was going to say by text, but a snail mail letter to alert me of the forthcoming text announcement of a pending phone call would be ideal.

by Anonymous 10 months ago

Bit rude to send a letter without any prior warning though.

by Anonymous 10 months ago

Totally agree! Unless there is an emergency, there is no reason to just pop in on someone. Even close family won't make assumptions that I am up for company without calling or texting first. I'm not sure if this is really unpopular though, so I'm down-voting. Does anyone really appreciate surprise visitors?

by Particular-Bag642 10 months ago

Or it could be Jesus Christ!! Jus sayin…

by Anonymous 10 months ago

It's always some Jesus freak 🤦🏼 or, in my city, an electricity solicitor trying to get me to switch to their service

by Firm-Nectarine 10 months ago

Could be a disguise 🥸

by Anonymous 10 months ago

I don't have a yard so....

by Agitated-Midnight-15 10 months ago

There are a few cases where you need to knock on someone's door. Police telling you that someone died in a car crash. Neighbors letting you know you left your headlights on. Someone in a desperate emergency without a phone.

by PaceRoyal 10 months ago

Someone in a desperate emergency without a phone. The residents in the neighborhood my parents live in won't answer the door for that particular reason anymore. The last person to open their door got robbed at gunpoint once the door was open. That same individual knocked on our door that night as well. That was around 20 years ago. Personally, if I don't know the person at my door I am not answering it. The only exceptions are cops, firefighters, and EMTs and if they are at my door I'm probably the one that called them. Anyone I know well enough to allow them into my home already knows to call ahead before dropping by because I often have my day planned and I won't break plans for anything but an emergency.

by Ancient-Swordfish654 10 months ago

If only there were some standard or technology that we could use to notify someone when we are at their door.

by Konopelskijared 10 months ago

This is classic devolution.. in a civilized society, knocking on the neighbors door is quite common. Knock knock, Who's there? It's me, your neighbor, I made brownies & they are still warm!! Knock knock, Whose there? It's me your neighbor, your dog got out & here he is! Knock knock, Whose there? It's me, your neighbor & it's street cleaning today, I don't want you to get a $75 ticket! Knock knock, Whose there? It's me your neighbor, there is water gushing out from the side of your house!! Knock knock, Whose there? A herd, A herd who? A herd you were home so I knocked!!! 😂 🚪

by Anonymous 10 months ago

I think this is more about the time of day. If it's too early or too late you're being disrespectful

by Anonymous 10 months ago

I hate it when door to door salespeople come by. They always come when my daughter is napping. Go away. I'm not interested in your scam. Get a real job

by Anonymous 10 months ago

Neighbors telling you your house is on fire

by Anonymous 10 months ago

Sebastian Maniscalco, is that you?

by Secure-Substance-697 10 months ago

Just hang a sign that says "we are not interested in meeting you, good day"

by Anonymous 10 months ago

Absolutely. One of the reasons I miss my previous house is that passersby could not actually get to the door.

by Agitated-Midnight-15 10 months ago

Last time I knocked on a door, it was to inform the owner that their dog was running around in the street.

by Anonymous 10 months ago

Fully depends on time of day

by Impressive-League 10 months ago

What if someone passing by your house is knocking your door to tell you someone's just smashed into your car and drove off and they have the registration info (and they don't have your number- or live in the area)

by Anonymous 10 months ago

I hate it but have to do it for work to outreach members of the insurance plan. Most ppl don't answer and I don't expect them to

by IndependentSection88 10 months ago

Truly unpopular. Just put a sign on your door that says F off why are at my door? or something. How would anyone know you're too socially awkward to talk to a stranger to not knock on your door?

by Schadenbessie 10 months ago

I don't answer the door unless I know the person knocking.

by Fun_Ad7065 10 months ago

I almost never answer my door when someone knocks. I do have a peep hole so I can see who it is. I feel similarly, that anyone who needs me has my number. Major of the time when someone knocks it's solicitors. I do live in a neighborhood that is not the safest and I live alone so I don't feel comfortable doing so. I think it just depends on the situation you live in. Probably more normal to answer your door when someone knocks in a small town vs big city. I wouldn't necessarily say it's rude. If a friend was having issues and their phone died, then yeah knock on my door. Tech can fail. But I'm highly suspicious of people who do knock on my door and it's mostly a safety concern.

by Anonymous 10 months ago

It depends on the situation. If it's a total stranger, of course I'm not answering, it's rude of them to try since it's probably some sort of salesperson. There's just too many home invasions to risk it and I doubt I want whatever they're selling. If it's a family member or friend I'll answer but they probably should've texted first to not be rude. If it's a neighbor kid asking if my kid can play go ahead and knock without prior notice.

by Anonymous 10 months ago

I don't have kids and my family doesn't live in my city so really it could only be a neighbor or a solicitor.

by Firm-Nectarine 10 months ago

If you need assistance from strangers you can hardly call them

by ykerluke 10 months ago

zoomers and fear of door knock i love that

by Tessie34 10 months ago

Lol OP is 100% gen z. They will literally have a panic attack if their friends call their phone instead of texting. Then they go complain in their echo chamber for positive reinforcement.

by No_Exchange 10 months ago

Admittedly I do get annoyed at first when I get a knock at the door because I think 80% of the time it is just a solicitor for me and I'm comfy on the couch lol. But sometimes my neighbor needs something or something like that and I'm always happy to help.

by Anonymous 10 months ago

Cue Sebastian Maniscalco's "Who rings a doorbell today?"

by aidanschultz 10 months ago

you knock to *give* notice. lol

by odicki 10 months ago

Isn't this why we have Ring cams now? So we CAN see who is at the door when they ring the bell or knock? Well, that and see my kids coming and going throughout the day.

by Anonymous 10 months ago

It's contextual. It can be rude if there's no good reason to knock (like if a Jehovas Witness comes to your door to preach). Otherwise, it isn't rude.

by clintonhand 10 months ago

This sounds too American for my European ass

by Anonymous 10 months ago

My friends and family always show up whenever lol

by Gisselle52 10 months ago

I have a "Did you call or text first" doormat

by Anonymous 10 months ago

Nope, I agree. If I don't expect a parcel or a visitor, I don't go to the door of someone knocks or rings on the door. I am not scared, I just don't want to take the parcels for the neighbors or something.

by Anonymous 10 months ago

God I can't imagine being so pathetic

by Anonymous 10 months ago

And then someone will text you, and you'll go like, "It's rude to text someone without prior notice"

by Anonymous 10 months ago

Bro go outside

by Anonymous 10 months ago

I do every day! Thanks tho 🥰

by Firm-Nectarine 10 months ago

No thank you. The UVs are terrible right now.

by Agitated-Midnight-15 10 months ago

Difference is that I do answer my phone :) most of the time anyway

by Firm-Nectarine 10 months ago

Absolutely agree, OP. "The knock *is* the notice!!" No, it really isn't. I don't want you to notify me when you're IN FRONT OF MY HOME ALREADY, I WANT YOU TO NOTIFY ME BEFORE YOU DECIDE TO COME TO MY HOME IN THE FIRST PLACE! I don't want you ANYWHERE NEAR MY HOME unless I say you can be near my home. To knock on my door, you have to be near my home -- DUH. If you are close enough to my door to knock on it, and you didn't give me prior heads-up, then you are too close and need to back the hell up immediately; this ***IS*** rude behavior! Not to mention that your decision to come over inherently requires an assumption on your part that I was both: A.) Not doing something around my house already, which is almost never the case. B.) Am in a social mood, which is almost never the case. Assumptions like this are incredibly rude. It is rude to assume things about others.

by basedblackbird 6 months ago