When the evangelists knocked on my door, I had a hard time to decline them. I tried lines such as 'no thanks, I'm not interested', but they replied with 'interest can always be cultivated', etc. etc.
I respect them and I don't want to speak rudely to them, but I really don't want to have them preaching me.
2007-11-04 13:54:33 · 11 answers · asked by HazelNut 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
Do not be any more polite to them than they are to you. Treat them just as you would anybody else who is selling something and won't take no for an answer. Because that is exactly what they are doing. If you seem like you might be persuaded they will make note of that and they will be back. I am normally very sunny and nice, but firm. I wish them a great day, comment on the weather and offer a bottle of water to take with them as they go their way.
2007-11-04 14:20:09 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
I have told evangelists that I am late for an appointment but if they would like to leave some literature, I will be more than happy to read it at a more convenient time. I take their literature, politely thank them and close the door.
I too, have difficulty being rude to someone who so deeply believes in something they feel compelled to share it with others. I have a very strong belief system and I don't care to discuss something so personal with a stranger. They have a whole list of arguments to combat someone shutting the door in their face, but if I tell them I am late and they continue to speak as though I have all the time in the world, I remind them that I have agreed to read their literature, but they have come to my home unannounced and uninvited and are making me late which is also rude. That will generally make them leave.
Thank you for being respectful - there's not enough of it in the world.
2007-11-04 22:04:31 · answer #2 · answered by odechiro 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Though I DID go through a stage where we used to open the sliding glass door and whop them with paintball guns, this is not necessary. Plus, they're unarmed AND unaware, which leaves no thrill to it.
Accepting literature politely is one thing, and I would suggest it if you are interested in seeing what these people have to say (even if you have no intention of converting or even thinking of doing so - but for the sake of knowledge)...
I just tell them that it's against my religion (even though I don't have one), thanks anyway. Usually, they leave it alone. My current apartment complex doesn't allow that sort of thing, so I never get them at home, but I've had people pull over their cars as I walk somewhere and try to hand me their stuff...
If one gets in my face and WILL NOT leave me alone after I make a few polite escape attempts, I have to admit that I get pretty nasty. I respect that people are doing as they will, but NO MEANS NO in all situations, damn it! *laughs*
2007-11-05 01:13:46 · answer #3 · answered by unithoRn 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You've already answered your own question. Tell them exactly what you've just told us. I respect what you believe in, however, you need to respect me in my home. I don't really want you preaching to me, good bye and close the door.
It's short, concise and as polite as you can be when someone will not let you be nice. Better luck next time.
2007-11-04 23:14:54 · answer #4 · answered by wezy53154 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A freind of mine answered the door stark naked and they have not returned since! I just tellthem that I am a Tibeton Buddhist and that they should not waste their time with me and go on to tell them that they have a 0% percent chance of interesting me.
2007-11-04 22:31:31 · answer #5 · answered by chinavagabond94122 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Why be polite? Those guys are militant and invasive and don't give a crap about respecting others until they believe the same things as they do. I was at the Hillel house on campus yesterday and one guy barged in and started preaching about Jesus and our "house mother" and big burly student rabbi basically had to man-handle him out. Why come to a JEWISH house and violate our safe place like that????
2007-11-04 22:03:30 · answer #6 · answered by Lauren 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
If you have politely refused and they persist, then their lack of respect for you does not warrant continued politeness on your part. Just say thank you and shut the door.
2007-11-04 22:03:14 · answer #7 · answered by mcq316 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
You can't open your door to these people,even if they are nice,because then you are forced to listen to them.... I just leave the door closed and shout through it and say who is it? and after they answer, I say loudly, no, thank you, that's it over and done with.....It's worked the three times they have come.....
2007-11-04 23:13:23 · answer #8 · answered by mj 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I found out the only way you can politely get rid of them is show them a Bible and be able to back up your own beliefs. That's where reading your Bible on a daily basis helps out.
2007-11-04 23:39:12 · answer #9 · answered by Nothin' Fancy 4 · 0⤊ 3⤋
i can usuly see them comming down my street, so i get ready.
i put on strange clothing, and put red food colouring on a buchar knife.
when they ring the door, i answer in my strange garb and bloody knife and procede to tell them that they interuped my sacrifice to the devil. i envite them in and say i baked cookies.
usuly they try to politely decline and sprint off of my property.
sadly more and more of them skip my house. :(
2007-11-04 22:00:31 · answer #10 · answered by VickiGirl 6 · 3⤊ 2⤋