Ding Dong...

I know spring has finally arrived here in Rhode Island. Not because the birds are chirping outside. Not because the daffodils are blooming under my living room windows. Not because the neighborhood cats are strolling through my yard again. Nope. None of those. I know it's spring because my doorbell rang today and the person who rang it was not a friend or neighbor.

The young man who rang my doorbell quickly started his pitch. I seriously wish I could talk and think as fast as he did. Or better yet, that I could clean my house that fast! He said something about a contest, earning points by talking to people, just got out of the Marines, yada yada yada... The whole time I stood there trying to figure out where he was going with his spiel and what he wanted to sell me. Finally he pulled out a laminated card with his information on it. Aha!! I've seen that before! In fact, I've seen it not once, not twice but now THREE times.

Oh, not in the same year. Nope. They come every year when the weather is warm. This is the earliest they've ever come. Usually it's at the beginning of summer. This guy must have a head start since he didn't have to wait to get out of school. In case your wondering, he was selling magazines. I need a magazine subscription like I need another hole in my head.

I think there must be invisible signs at the end of my street telling religious people and sales people to go door-to-door here. I'm not kidding! We've lived in this house for 5.5 years. During this time I've been visited by the magazine people (at least 3 times), Mormons, Jehovah's Witnesses, a lawn chemical company at least once every summer, a financial planner, various enterprising individuals offering to mow my lawn for a fee, a guy selling frozen beef out of the back of a refrigerated truck - TWICE, guys wanting me to switch my internet provider, and I'm sure a couple of other people I just can't remember.

I am always courteous. I smile as I say, "no thank you." And seldom do I receive the same courtesy back. I had to tell the guy to day FOUR times in a row that I was not interested in buying a magazine before he finally turned around and walked away. I can't tell you have irritated it makes me for a stranger to knock on my door, take up my time, and then be rude to me after I've been nothing but polite! Man, does it bug me!

I'm wondering how many people will ring my doorbell this spring/summer. I'll be sure to let you know. And if any of them are polite it'll be a miracle!

PS. I kept thinking all of this sounded vaguely familiar. I searched my archives. Ha! I wrote a similar post last year!! = ) With almost an identical title. You can read it here.