Would you let a stranger into your house?

[Evoluzione]

10am on a week day, you're on your own at home and someone knocks on the door. Looking out it's some bloke with hi-viz and Covid mask on. ID tag hanging from his neck. So & so utilities written on his hi-viz and on his van parked behind him.
Says he wants to read the leccy meter, yet you have a smart meter fitted. When you tell him this he says 'Oh they don't always work though'.
If you don't have a meter in your house then imagine you do.

Would you let him in to read the meter?

Edited by Evoluzione on Thursday 12th May 11:54

[Evoluzione]

77% wouldn't have let him in.
New house, never had this before, last house the meter was outside.
Thanks for all the valid points and the recurring classic PH two dogs and being bummed, I had it in mind when posting up. Lol and yes I do remember a thread where many PHers didn't answer the door

furrywoolyhatuk said:

Personally, no, but maybe that’s because I’m not very trusting.

What was the outcome in your case?

Yes I let him in, but wasn't happy with it.
I suppose with increased WFH they find more people in, but still, it must be largely a waste of time when people are out at work.
It would be a much better idea to send cards out saying to expect a visit sometime from Monday to Friday of a certain week, it doesn't have to be a specific time, at least it would set peoples minds at rest. It makes it even worse when they've got masks on.

devnull said:

I had one last week - they immediately said what provider I was with. Also questioned why they were here when I had a smart meter, said they had a spate of non readings. He did duly take the reading and leave.

Similar to my 'Oh they don't always work' when I'm stood there thinking 'What kind of excuse is that?' Surely he should have tried it. Next time I'll tell him to use it first.

He kept saying 'Oh I haven't been out here for a while' and 'You've got a lovely view' which I suppose was trying to be friendly, but that made it worse as i'm just thinking 'You're BS isn't working with me!' and kept an eye on him.

[Evoluzione]

finlo said:

I would suspect it's more a case of looking for signs of tampering rather than getting a reading.

This did cross my mind, but then it means Smart meters are useless.

[Evoluzione]

Caddyshack said:

What a weird thread. People not answering the front door either out of fear or as they don’t need anything from another human.

You're weird to actually think it's weird.

[Evoluzione]

TheJimi said:

Evoluzione said:

Caddyshack said:

What a weird thread. People not answering the front door either out of fear or as they don’t need anything from another human.

You're weird to actually think it's weird.

He really isn't.

Yes it is. It shows you aren't able to see someone else's POV and label it as weird, that's disturbing.

[Evoluzione]

Caddyshack said:

dandarez said:

TheJimi said:

Evoluzione said:

Caddyshack said:

What a weird thread. People not answering the front door either out of fear or as they don’t need anything from another human.

You're weird to actually think it's weird.

He really isn't.

Hang on, the thread title is 'Would you let a stranger into your house.

A 'meter reader' is hardly a stranger, he or she will have identification on them, usually they show it.

I will (I do) open my door to all sorts of people.

Would I let any of them in on a whim?
'Hi, I don't know who the fk you are, but hey ho, come in and have a chat. Do you want a coffee while I'm at it?'

Not a chance!

Well, the OP was actually talking about a bloke with a meter reading van, clothes, I.d. And claimed to want to read the meter…that seems perfectly fine. I think everyone would agree that they would ask what the person wanted before inviting them in…as would most callers identify themselves and the nature of the contact.

I commented about the weird comments where people totally ignore any caller and do not want any human contact.

To be fair I would feel comfortable with the OP scenario too.

You're the one in the rather large minority.

I sit on the fence and can see both side of the debate. If you can't then you've got some vital part of you missing.
I can see the purely humane and trusting side of it, but also we are told to never let strangers in our houses. Read my post, i've never had someone knock on my door and ask to come in. Why weren't we sent a letter it was happening like any other
?
We've got a Smart meter, wtf kind of excuse is 'Oh they don't always work, I need to come in'? Why do I have a smart meter?
I've seen burglars with Hi-viz vests on and sign written vans breaking in to my workshop, it's how they get away with it.

You'd be an utter moron to not question it.

Edited by Evoluzione on Tuesday 17th May 22:50

[Evoluzione]

TheJimi said:

Evoluzione said:

TheJimi said:

Evoluzione said:

Caddyshack said:

What a weird thread. People not answering the front door either out of fear or as they don’t need anything from another human.

You're weird to actually think it's weird.

He really isn't.

Yes it is. It shows you aren't able to see someone else's POV and label it as weird, that's disturbing.

and yet, you reckon Caddy is weird to think that it is weird, thus, by your own definition, you are unable to see someone else's perspective and label it as being weird.

The truth is, I can entirely understand both perspectives, but my balance of opinion tilts towards the disinclination to answer a knock at one's door as being, if not weird, then certainly a bit odd. It is possible to understand a different perspective, and yet, still regard that perspective as being odd.

Nope. Let's get back to the original point and not stray from it:

Caddyshack said:

What a weird thread. People not answering the front door either out of fear or as they don’t need anything from another human.

Is this a weird thread? I don't think so. It's everyday life.

"People not answering the front door 'snip' as they don’t need anything from another human.

What does this mean? Hello? Smart meter?

We do live in a World where strange people don't come in our homes and for good reason too, so when they do it can be a bit unnerving. Read my previous post up there ^