Do you feel obligated to respond?

[Midpack]

If my phone is nearby and it’s someone in my contacts, I may answer it, may not if I know what it’s likely about. If my phone isn’t nearby, I won’t go get it unless I am expecting a call, e.g. a HVAC tech I asked for. If it’s not someone from my contacts I won’t answer it no matter what, even if I’m looking right at it. If it’s important they’ll leave a message and I can call back. I have never missed an important call yet. If it’s not in my contacts, it’s likely spam/scam.

 

[Gumby]

My home phone has an answering machine attached. To ring through, you need to say your name and press the pound sign. Robo callers can't do that. Once someone does that and rings through, it announces them so I can decide if I want to pick up. I can program numbers into the machine, like those of my family, so that they don't need to go through the name and pound sign routine.

Very few people come to the door, but I answer a ring or knock if I'm home. Sometimes I end up talking to the Jehovah Witnesses, but they are nice ladies and I enjoy it.

I almost always answer emails, but I have silenced the dinger, so that's only when I'm ready to look at my emails anyway.

 

[HFWR]

No. Don’t answer the door, for those who ignore my NO SOLICITING sign. My phone sends anyone not on my contact list straight to voicemail. I delete and report as spam any unsolicited texts, and emails get the same treatment.

It is tempting, sometimes, to jerk their chains a bit, but if you respond you’re just asking for more…

 

[Sunset]

Admittedly I am guilty of that too. We have a little half circle window at the top of the door that's hard to see out of. I could look out the dining window next to the door, but then they can look back at me too. I usually just open the door.

....

We also have a half circle window at the top of the door. We also have a 180 degree peephole so can peep out at the people.
They are easy to install, just drill a hole.

 

[rembrandt]

NO.

 

[Sunset]

I'll look at my phone when I walk back into whatever room I've left it in. I don't carry it around unless I'm going out.

I have it set on do not disturb at night - but will allow contacts to get through. Nobody has called.

Front door, I have a camera on it. Have been trying it out with showing all the time like right now as a window on computer screen, So handy was thinking of setting up a tablet downstairs to just have it run constantly showing the front yard.

Otherwise if doorbell rings, I'll go peep out the viewer, don't open if sales people or some strange guys. Have opened for children.

 

[REIJM]

If it's not a number we know, we don't answer the phone (if it's important enough, they'll call back or leave a voicemail).

I installed a video doorbell so when our doorbell rings, we get an alert on our phone and we can see the video from the door bell. If it's not someone we know, we don't bother answering the door (more times than not it's someone trying to sell something door to door, and neither of us want our time wasted).

 

[ivinsfan]

If it's not a number we know, we don't answer the phone (if it's important enough, they'll call back or leave a voicemail).

I installed a video doorbell so when our doorbell rings, we get an alert on our phone and we can see the video from the door bell. If it's not someone we know, we don't bother answering the door (more times than not it's someone trying to sell something door to door, and neither of us want our time wasted).

So you would answer if they call a second time? Just curious..my phone will label spam numbers as they ring. If it doesn't identify as spam,I will answer my phone..my number is in my church directory and quite a few of my neighbors have it. Also family of longtime and dear friends. I don't have the number of everyone I know. It takes a few seconds of my time.

 

[Katsmeow]

Absolutely, no. All unknown calls go straight to voicemail. If they leave a message I do check it. If it is a call from someone in my contacts then I will usually answer it but not always depending on who it is.

Texts I do usually see right away but don't feel I have to answer right away although I often do.

I definitely do not always answer the door. Honestly, if I look and see who it is (through doorbell camera) and I don't recognize them I usually don't answer if I am not expecting someone unless I think it looks like a neighbor or something.