(Untitled)

[miwahni]

I've been sitting here listening to this odd noise for a while, one of those that you can't quite place, and you're not entirely sure where it's coming from... finally I turned around and there's the cat sitting behind me and licking the carpet. No, I don't know either

Comments

[fiorenza_a]

Only one word...weird

It's an odd approach - Americans do the same thing - just call you by your given name without being invited and it always gives me the heebee jeebees - although in that instance it's usually cultural miscommunication and they're trying to be friendly/polite.

People here have started asking 'how would you prefer to be addressed?' in formal settings. It covers a multitude of pitfalls :0)

I'm currently reading a spooky Trek fic Betwixt Man and Angell by Elise_Madrid - your carpet licking cat would fit right in.

[miwahni]

It always takes me aback when people whom I've never met use my name as it implies a level of familiarity that just does not exist. It used to happen a lot when I had a job requiring a name badge; it was one thing for customers to use it, but quite something else if I was on my lunchbreak and browsing in a shop. It would be nice to be asked the question, too.
I really resented this guy, though, as he was only using it as a means to get my attention.

I've added that fic to my Pocket for later reading, thank you for the rec.

[fiorenza_a]

I'm only half way through - but I'm really enjoying it :0)

My name badge used to have my initial and surname - and that's how some people addressed me - initial and surname!

(Don't have a Trek icon - must fix that - so have a Captain Scarlet one instead!)

[draycevixen]

Those "weird" noises are always fun to process and I can see where you might not have heard the sound of a cat licking the carpet before. *g*

We hardly get any door-to-door salespeople here but we get scads of church types... I think I might prefer the salespeople.

[miwahni]

Yeah carpet-licking isn't the thing that springs first to mind! *g*

We get the religious ones as well; "god-botherers" as my fried calls them! But also a lot of people trying to sign you up for different electricity suppliers or telcos. If I remember I lock the gate at the top of the stairs when I'm home so that no-one can make it up onto the front deck.

[byslantedlight]

You're harsh! If I'd seen shaking hands I would have thought the chap was really nervous rather than a scammer... *g* And there's a little bit of me thinking well, if you will put your name on your car's number plate...! I wouldn't have liked an unknown sales rep to call my first name through the door either, mind - and it would have entirely put me off their product due to lack of manners, but on the other hand I guess there are lots of mixed messages about how to behave out there these days. I get the impression that salespeople etc. are taught to use first names because it seems friendly and makes them more sympathetic and human - except that it only does that in certain situations, not all of them... There's also a bit of me that thinks it must be pretty hard work tramping from door to door, especially if you're only paid on commission - but then by definition it's also intrusive work, so they lose my sympathy there, too... I dunno - life, these days! Come to think of it, I guess it's a plus-side of living in the kind of flat

[miwahni]

Harsh? Or just of a suspicious mind... *g* It was the shaking hands in conjunction with the inability to leave one of his brochures that raised my hackles.

It would be horrid work going door to door, for sure. I wouldn't like to be on the receiving end of some people's rudeness.

I just got my back up over his use of my name as a way to get me to open my door. Grrr....

[entropy_house]

Fortunately for me, I have a large window by the front door, and when I get a knock at it, I look through the window. I open the door for mail carriers & uniformed police officers (on Halloween night I used to open for costumed kids, but haven't had any in years). Otherwise, I slide the window open just far enough to talk to them. I don't care if they have my name. Heck you can get that off the city hall property records (or if they're lucky enough to arrive before I pick up my mail, they can get it from that.)

It's a risk when a stranger knocks on your door. It may be an honest door-to-door salesperson/ religious missionary/ person with the wrong address/ young person trying to sell something to raise money for their school, etc.

BUT it may also be a scammer- or worse, someone who might be casing your home with burglary in mind, having a look 'round to see what security there is, how many people are there, etc.

[miwahni]

My screen door is locked from the inside so I feel safe enough, I just resent the interruption and the use of my name as though he knew me, causing me to open the door in the first place. It could well be someone casing the place, although with the neighbours that I have, any burglar would have a hard time getting away with it. My car is usually in the carport, as I walk to the bus stop most days - I like to think that the presence of the car is enough to keep most people of ill intent away.