What makes you recognize one of Jehovah's Witnesses?

Question

Ever see some people walking down the street and think "They must be Jehovah's Witnesses"? What makes you think that? Is there a telltale sign, or something that makes them stand out, separate from sales(wo)men or Mormons or even Baptists? Just curious.

Answer 1

Jehovah's Witnesses preachers are unique in that *ALL* active adherents preach from house to house. Jehovah's Witnesses are somewhat unique in that they are quite comfortable being accompanied by their small children and even infants. Secular canvassers are never accompanied by children or infants, and other preachers rarely are.

Jehovah's Witness ministers represent a wide range of ages, and a substantial percentage of their preachers are non-white. By contrast, the house to house preachers of Mormonism are typically Caucasians in their early 20's (although both observations are anecdotal, and neither implies discrimination).

Jehovah's Witness ministers consider it important to be dressed as lay-ministers (neckties for men and skirts or dresses for women), and to be prepared to offer Scriptural encouragement to householders. The few Baptists who occasionally go from house to house seem more interested in discussing political and social issues, and many or most neglect to carry or refer to the bible. Some Protestant lay-ministers do not consider it important to dress in anything more dignified than their typical street clothes.

Of course, Jehovah's Witnesses are the most experienced house to house minister the world has ever known. Preaching the "good news" is a necessary part of their pure worship.

Answer 2

Hi. I am a Witness. I have had moments where I saw someone and was sure it was a Witness. Often it is, sometimes it is not.

I ussualy note several things. I live in Georgia. Earlier this year I went to Oakland. I was on a bus on my way either to or from going to Goodwill. I noticed a girl. She was probably around 19. She was talking to a guy. I noticed she was dressed casually but modestly. In other words All of her body parts that should be covered were covered. She was in jeans/pants and a shirt. Yet the clothes were not so tight you could see every buldge. I noted that when talking to him she was not Yelling or drawing undue attention to herself. I probably would not have been able to hear accept I was right next to her on the bus. There was no cussing. The guy seemed somewhat flirtatious, yet, she was polite but not solicitous. She kept her distance. I remember thinking "she looks like a Witness". A few minutes later I heard a few key words. Bible, meeting, Study, etc. I was so excited to meet a Witness randomly on the other side of the country. I asked her if she was a Witness. She said yes. I told her how excited I was. She looked confused then asked "Oh are you also"?? I at this time had a bit of fever. I also don't think I had shaved. I was feeling terrible and was sortof sloppy. Looking back I am rather embaressed at how I was dressed.

I have before asked people if they were a Witness because I thought they were and the person was not.

There are a few certainties/hopeful certainties. If someone is using Bad language, smoking, behaving unChristian they are not Witnesses.

I knew one girl who said she was a Witness. I would probably never be able to pick her out of a crowd.

When I see people downtown dressed cleanly(not nessacarily fancily) early in the morning in the cold with smiles on their faces I assume they are Witnesses. So far only one time has someone other than a Witness come to my door to share an encouraging thought/scripture. All the others wanted money, including those claiming to be there on behalf of a religion. Also of course there is the fact it is a steriotype. We are known world wide for preaching. I saw a Britcom that mentioned us going from door to door.

By the way. I thought the comment by Trawet was funny. I am a dumb blonde, hick. I guess that makes me an easy guess.

In answer to some of the answers. We come in varying pairs. Adults. Adults and youths. Youths. Men. Women. Men and Women. I am sure in some areas it is nessacary to ride a bike or drive from door to door but in my area, at least, we drive to the neighborhood and then walk from door to door.

Answer 3

As a cab driver, there are a number of factors. "Uncle Thesis" above mentioned several, except they don't carry a Bible around in public when they are grocery shopping.

Several are assuming that if they are out in public, they must be preaching, but there is a lot more to daily life than that, even though ti is a major part of their lives. Witnesses go shopping , to the movies, concerts, sight seeing, and numerous of things just as anyone else. They just don't go out to get drunk, party, and do things that are not in keeping with God's Word.

I see it in their manner, their speech, and their baring. Witnesses generally don't use slangs and certainly no curse words, even when they fall on their butts in ice. Sitting in the cab driver's room at Yellow cab, I knew the cab driver sitting beside was a JW within a few minutes. All he was doing was talking to some other drivers about how slow a night it was. It was the difference in how he expressed it. He wasn't wearing a suit or tie, and he wasn't carrying a Bible or any Watchtower material. Turns out he's a congregation overseer.

It is a completely different life in that to them, living in the light of Christ is considered the norm and not the exception. It is reflected in everything they do, and not just their preaching work. People find it strange, but consider if was the norm and not the exception for everyone.

I think the best example of the difference that I can give is when their yearly District Assemblies let out. Locally, churches of 1000 or more participants need help from the police for when they let out to prevent accidents and possible road rage.

When the witnesses let out from Kemper Area, there are over 40,000 leaving, and the parking lots are empty inside of an hour. It's like water flowing to the least pathway of resistence. No arguments, no road rage, and no help needed from the police.

Answer 4

A lot of people have mentioned a lot of telltale signs, but a few that i didnt see were:
- different races walking together, looking happy.
- despite frigid cold or unbearable heat, we're still trying to give those who will listen, some good news!
- smiles on our faces even though someone was just extremely rude to us.

Its something about a group of people who are close-knit because of their beliefs. I can be at a restaurant and spot my brothers and sisters. I'll just go up to them and ask if they are witnesses and 9x out of 10 they are. My husband, who is not a witness, can also spot witnesses when we go out. So, its not unusual, we dont think we are special, we are just united worldwide. Its like spotting your fleshly sister or brother in a crowd....you just know them when you see them.

Answer 5

This is somewhat of a generalization:

The Jehovah's Witness woman will be wearing a skirt, that is what they are expected to wear as far as being modest. Also the bible and Watchtower magazine is a giveaway.

Mormon missionaries will always be in white shirts.

And, whats with the thumb down~ I have been part of BOTH of those religions, I know how they dress going door to door.

Answer 6

Modest clean dress. Kempt appearance. Tidy case with Bible and Bible study aides. Many more out preaching than Mormans that's for sure!

Answer 7

Its a stereo-type
Suit/Tie/Walking +Jehovah's Witness
Blond/Dumb
Redneck/Hick

Answer 8

I know them because my entire family are Jehovah's Witnesses. So for me they are not hard to spot!

Answer 9

The women always wear long skirts, the men usually wear a suit and tie and they walk around the town with pamphlets in their hands..Usually in pairs. I know of nobody else who gets dressed up in formal clothes to walk around and harass people. The only salespeople around here dont dress like that and they are usually driving around. I have never had a Mormon or Baptist come to my door, nor do I know what one looks like.. But Jehovah's can be spotted a mile away, giving me plenty of time to pretend I am not home and lock my door so they dont barge into my house... and yes they have walked right into my house without being invited or even knocking, then they called my dog "cross" because he was barking at them.. well duh! you are a trespasser.

Answer 10

they usualy are carrying the watchtower with them
Mormons wear dark pants while shirts and ride bikes
You meet baptists in out of state casinos and they tell you they only came for the food!