I wasn't expecting company and someone knocked on my door. My house was messier than usual so am I obligated to open it if someone knocks?
2007-05-19 19:11:56 · 20 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
I agree with everyone who said you're not obligated to open the door and am relieved to find I'm not the only one who "hides" sometimes!
How's this for a door knock story? Last year, my doorbell rang when I was literally running around the apartment in my underwear, trying to get ready to leave. I peeked out the window and saw my building manager who is VERY chatty. I had no time for talk so I ignored the bell & figured she'd call or try me later. WRONG. I was in the bathroom and heard my front door open. It was the building manger! She looked about ready to drop dead when she discovered that I was indeed home and she had no valid excuse for entering my unit. Needless to say, there was a world war about it. She glares at me whenever she sees me now, even a year later. Funny, it's not my fault she broke the law.
Can't wait until next year when I buy a house and don't have to give anyone the door key!
2007-05-19 20:21:54 · answer #1 · answered by voodoodolly 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Of course you're not obligated to open your door. Look through the peep hole... if it's someone who you don't mind seeing your home in the state that it's in, it's up to you, you can just open the door, but decide not to let them in, for whatever reasons, messy, not ready for company, etc.
If you see someone you don't want to open the door to, just don't. Duck around the corner, or stay right there... don't make any noise, even if they knock some more or ring the doorbell, don't answer, just pretend you're not there.
Besides, if this person was actually a good friend, they'd have your # and they would have called you first to make sure you're home and they're not barging in.
2007-05-20 21:32:43 · answer #2 · answered by ? 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are not obligated legally (unless it's the police with a search warrant), and you are not obligated by etiquette. The home is your haven and whatever reason you have for not wanting to let someone in is a legitimate reason (again, unless it's a legal matter).
You could always quietly see who is at the door too before you decide, in case it's your Great Aunt Bessie or some such. You're still not obligated to open your door for her either, though ;) especially if she's dropped in on you without any warning.
2007-05-19 19:15:02 · answer #3 · answered by tetracycline 2 · 5⤊ 0⤋
In no state are you obligated to open a door. however, if the officer states he has a warrant to flow into the domicile, or he has been observed as to the place of residing in keeping with some disturbance the place he's legally obligated to confirm the occupants' secure practices, it quite is quite helpful to open the door in those situations in any different case it ought to be kicked in.
2016-12-17 17:49:13 · answer #4 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You really aren't obligated at all, especially today. You should always check who it is before answering it for safety purposes. Don't open it if you don't know who it is. If someone wants to drop by, they need to get permission first by calling! Who knows- it may be a messy house, it may be the kid's bathtime, you may be sleeping. You don't have to answer the door. I hate it when somebody I don't know knocks on the door and keeps knocking louder and louder and peeking in the crack to see if there is a light on. It's so rude to think you should have to open the door just because they decided to knock! Haha!
2007-05-19 19:56:34 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
No. Are u obligated to answer the phone if it rings? No!
It's cool to answer the door if you feel like havin company and are not busy - otherwise don't waste time feeling guilty. Just snuggle back in bed, continue watchin the movie or whatever you're doing.
2007-05-19 19:17:15 · answer #6 · answered by henna 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Your home is your castle. You can answer the door or not as you please. Just dont do what my Dad did. He wanted to pretend he was not at home when somebody came calling and so he sat very quiet without answering the door but in his panic he switched off the lights so the person knew he was home!!
2007-05-19 23:25:03 · answer #7 · answered by insp.clouseau 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Not at all. I've often ignored knocks because I was not expecting anyone. If you can, secretly look out of a window to see who is there.
2007-05-19 21:44:10 · answer #8 · answered by Lov'n IT! 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No! It's your door, your home, and your choice as to whether to answer. Whoever was there should have done you the courtesy of calling before he/she came, to see if a visit was convenient for you.
2007-05-19 20:17:22 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
No, You shouldn't feel obligated to open the door you could have been sleeping,bathing,etc... So if you don't want to open it then don't! =o)
2007-05-19 19:22:32 · answer #10 · answered by ? 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋