I remember a time when the doorbell would ring, you’d give a quick glance out the window to try see who was there, and then, more likely than not, you would answer the door. What a time, huh? There could be anyone with any kind of motive waiting on the other side, and, at worst, there would just be a flimsy screen between them and you. Now, I have a camera that alerts me as someone approaches and when they actually ring the doorbell. Instead of throwing back the locks and sharing a friendly greeting after vetting the interloper with a two-second glance through the window, I can use the camera to screen visitors same as I would unknown calls. It’s the perfect technology for the introvert wanting to avoid awkward interactions.

Yet, multiple times a year, even after checking the camera, I answer the door to an unfamiliar face, and each time, I’m held captive to a sales pitch. With all the evidence telling me to stay away and ignore the ring, I’m still plagued by the “what if” scenario. What if there’s utility work being done in the area that affects my property? What if they’re fundraising on behalf of the Scouts? That’s something I did myself back in the day, so it would pretty hypocritical to ignore them now. Or, what if the person happens to be parent of one of my kid’s classmates or friends? Sure, I can poke holes in all that logic, but in that moment when the doorbell rings, I’m really only thinking, “I’m here, what could it hurt?”

Well, truth is, it can be agonizingly painful.

“Hi, we service the Jones’ up the street and are going around the neighborhood to offer our services.”

Okay, here we go. You may do work for the Jones family, but guess what, I don’t know them.

“Are you happy with your internet? We just put in fiber…”

Yep, completely happy, and there’s a reason we switched from your company.

“Do you get bugs and other pests?”

It’s the summer in a temperate climate. Of course we get bugs, but I’m not sleeping with them.

“We’re doing roof and siding inspections because of all the storms that have passed through the area.”

Siding is still up and the shingles are only a few years old. We’re good.

“But what if we offer a lower price? Our product’s quality speaks for itself if you just give us a chance. I saw an ant – you probably have an infestation.”

On and on it goes. I don’t want to be rude, so I hear them out. I respect the work and would probably curl into a ball and cry if I had to go door to door. But then, they prey on my patience, sensing a sale is nigh. It’s not, and now we’ve wasted one another’s time.

I’ve never gotten comfortable with talking to someone through the doorbell. I don’t trust that it’s responsive or clear enough to actually conduct a conversation. Honestly, would it be any better than ignoring the person in the first place? If I know the person and truly cannot make it to the door, that’s one thing, but for a stranger? If they have important business, they’ll either leave something, come back, or they have enough information to call. So, for the love of my sanity and logic, I need to learn to ignore when the doorbell rings.