Grrrr, invasive strangers knocking on doors to proselytize or sell something is one of my pet peeves. They usually catch me off guard, and I get "cranky." Afterwards I feel bad. This time I saw them coming. I was prepared.
I gave them my shiniest whole-face Grandma smile. I listened politely and took their literature. As they turned to leave I asked if they were registered to vote. FYI: JV's are not allowed to vote. They looked at each other with some discomfort and silently kept moving. I yelled after them,"Ya know, sometimes God could use some help!"
Again, I listened politely. After I told him I wasn't interested, I asked him if he was registered to vote. He looked down, shamefaced, and said "No." I replied "You really need to vote, bad things are happening right now." He agreed and started to back away. I then said "Your generation needs to step up and help save the world." He assured me he would, but didn't look me in the eye.
I'm making flyers with voter registration information. I'll give them to the invasive strangers who come, unwanted and uninvited, to my door. I'll refuse to take their literature unless they take mine. It's not like they can slam the door in my face or say something rude.
Feel free to join me in this reverse political canvassing. You'll be surprised what you can get away with saying if you say it with a big smile on your face, and gray hair.
Turnabout IS fair play. Especially if you're saving souls.
 |
| The incomparable Maggie Kuhn! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maggie_Kuhn |
Amen Goddess Colette Amen!
ReplyDeleteHa! Why thank you, my child.
DeleteI absolutely LOVE this idea. Yes! I'm going to do that. The last time some Jehovah Witnesses knocked on my door, I answered and told them I was a Buddhist, said Namaste, thanked them for coming and closed the door.
ReplyDeleteOh that's good! You are a MUCH better person than me.
DeleteYou are truly a gem. This is a fantastic idea.
ReplyDeleteIn truth, I'm a rhinestone. Glad you like the idea. It's super fun.
DeleteWhat a great idea and I love that poster and quote.
ReplyDeleteThanks. Maggie Kuhn was a powerhouse in the 1960's.
DeleteWhat a great idea. I bow to your brilliance! :)
ReplyDeletelol, I think it might be more ornery than brilliant. Many thanks.
DeleteBrilliant. I shall print off some Ohio voter registration forms. I tell them all the time to register to vote; putting my money where my mouth is.
ReplyDeleteYay! I knew you'd join me in this worthy effort!
DeleteAmazing that they can't vote. I wonder why. And good for you for coming back at them. We don't get any here as we are too far from civilization. When they used to come when I had the house I would just say "I am happy with my God, but thanks for stopping by." and closed the door. They just smiled and walked away. But the vote thing is better, keep it up !
ReplyDeleteThey are supposed to stay politically neutral and out of the fray. I try to be polite with them, and Mormon's too. I know they mean well, but ya know...my house, my rules, my privacy. I'm kind of wishing there was a international clearinghouse for proselytizers somewhere (Switzerland?) where they could report households that are lost causes so that others will steer clear. Ha! Or maybe they could use hobo marks/symbols to warn others off? https://www.logodesignlove.com/hobo-signs-and-symbols
DeleteBest idea and action I have heard all day, all week! You are my hero of the whole damned day! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteMany thanks, it is so much fun.
DeleteHere, the JW just stand somewhere in the city holding up their pamphlets. I have yet to see anybody interact with them.
ReplyDeleteWe have a good few of these well-scrubbed blond young men in dark navy suits who come the US to bring salvation us heathens Germans (LDS?). I shall introduce your idea to the next lot I come across.
The Mormon boys are so earnest. Unfortunately, they are probably Republicans. Also, LDS church is actually on a voter registration frenzy these days. https://kutv.com/news/local/lds-church-to-use-specialists-to-promote-more-political-involvement-by-members-in-utah
DeleteI did not know the JW's weren't allowed to Vote! I Wonder what the reasoning is behind that? One time The Young Prince answered the door for the JW's at 9:00 a.m. in full Drag, looking like Tim Curry of Rocky Horror fame, he scared them off and they wouldn't accept the invite to come inside! I still Smile when I think about it, wish I'd been Home to see their Faces! *LOL*
ReplyDeleteHahahaha! Hilarious.
DeleteI don’t have many people that come to my door as soliciting is not allowed in my neighborhood ( although some sneak in), but what a great Idea you have. I hope you made an impression on that salesman.
ReplyDeleteHe seemed embarrassed that he wasn't registered.
DeleteI wish I'd been more beneficial to society (as you have been), but I was angry for reasons now forgotten. I benefited no one. These two chaps, wearing navy-blue suits that looked like uniforms, were waiting and I more or less pushed past them to get to the garage door, shouting as I did so. "I don't do Christianity for purely aesthetic reasons," I said. "A so-called all-powerful Jahweh could think up no more persuasive device than to arrange an execution and leave us with a disgusting image of that execution. Do you like staring at a tortured body? Ughh. Makes me retch."
ReplyDeleteThey protested feebly as the up-and-over garage door squeaked into operation. They'd not heard this one before. I got the feeling their blank faces were turning to anger but by this time they realised it would be a bummer standing in the driveway as I drove the Skoda over them. Had I been breathalysed I'm sure they'd have discovered that the anger level in my blood was dangerously high. Yeah, aesthetic reasons.
A day in the life.
DeleteGreat idea for salespeople coming to my door but I'm not sure I want to encourage the super religious folks to vote. Who knows who they might pull the lever for.
ReplyDeleteGood point.
DeleteHell, yes.
ReplyDelete(Big smile)
DeleteThat's an interesting strategy for getting people to vote!
ReplyDeleteI don't deal with evangelists or salespeople who come to my house - I just don't answer the door. (But I did just vote in the mayoral primary here.)