by SonicSand on March 14th, 2007

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If a strange man came to your door, saying his car broke down and asking to use your phone, would you let him inside your home to do so?

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Answers. 59 helpful answers below.

by VOD on March 14th, 2007
Nope. I would call AAA or some other type of help to assist, but he wouldnt have access to my home, my land line or my cell.
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- I find it interesting that the vast majority of answers agree with this one (answer = No). Statistically speaking, there is very little danger (at least in most of the US). There's a wonderful scene in Michael Moore's "Bowling for Columbine" where Moore and a risk-assessment expert are standing at the corner of Florence and Normandie ('ground zero' during the Rodney King Verdict riots). The risk expert explains that someone standing there is at far greater risk of harm from the visible smog than from a street crime at that location. Moore then tries to convince some police officers to arrest those responsible for the smog...:-D...
  
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  by Old School on March 14th, 2007
- I am guessing you are a male. Women learn very early that they are at greater risk for violent crime such as this and thus must constantly be vigilent about their surroundings and the people in those surroundings. Oh....and nothing personal...but Michael Moore is an idiot. :-)
  
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  by NightOwl on June 3rd, 2007
- NitOwl -- I beg to differ. If Moore truly were an idiot, you wouldn't bother to call him one because it wouldn't be worth your time. You are correct, I am male. And the statements that "women are more likely than men to be a victim of violent crime" and "statistically, unless you live in a rotten neighborhood, your chances of suffering a violent crime are very low" can BOTH be true at the same time.
  BTW, here's the guy who was advising Moore for that part of Bowling for Columbine:
  
  http://www.amazon.com/Culture-Fear-Americans-Afraid-Things/dp/0465014909/
  
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  by Old School on June 3rd, 2007
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by Anonymous on March 14th, 2007
No. this is one of the oldest tricks in the book for someone to openly gain entry into your home. this person may not bother you or your property at that time, but he has now witnessed the inside of your home, for a later burglary.

Offer only to make a phone call, in his behalf, for a tow truck.

To be on the safe side, do even answer the door, if this person appears suspicious to you.

Call the police.
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by AntigoneRising on March 14th, 2007
Hell no. He could tell me (through the door) who to call, and I'd do it for him.
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by Zibbys Mind Is In the Gutter Today on March 14th, 2007
Ummm nope. Sorry, I'd give him my cordless phone. I have a gate in front of my house, and I would hand him the phone through it. I have a rule about people in my house. If I haven't known you for at least a year, you don't come in. I'm a VERY private person. My home is my sanctuary from the outside world, no need to let them in.
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by Ash on February 16th, 2008
i would not let him in, but i would bring my cordless phone to the front door for him to use
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- You would open your door to a strange man? Not me, I talk out the window.
  
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  by Sheriff Raff -Answerhag on February 16th, 2008
- well here it is alot more common. My door faces the road (one of the busyst ones around where i live, and i see alot of breakdowns. My partner is always home before me so he is always here when i do it. but i might think twice if i was alone
  
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  by Ash on February 16th, 2008
- the should install a pay phone on your street... actually, i think pay phones will be a thing of the past soon.
  
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  by Sheriff Raff -Answerhag on February 16th, 2008
- yeah. we have hardly any here. they are all those card phones now.
  
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  by Ash on February 16th, 2008
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by PrettyPirate on March 14th, 2007
Absolutely not.

I would offer to call someone for him, or, depending on my gut feeling, I may even lend him my cell phone, but I would not open the door for him, nor let him inside.

Just recently, in Brisbane (where I live), a man was going around doing just that - knocking on people's doors, saying his car had broken down and asking for assistance. What he was really doing, was scoping the house to see if the women who were answering the door were alone, then returning 15 minutes later to force his way inside and rape them.

Horrible story, but proof that you can never be too careful.
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by Vampyre Bat on February 16th, 2008
No. I would call the police for him and they can comke and help him out. These days you just can't trust anyone.
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by Siddharma on February 16th, 2008
I am a man, so I should have a different answer than a woman. They have much more to be concerned about...

I have done it before, and nothing happened. Then again, he was a stranger, but not too strange. It was also raining and hailing; he looked pitiful. I was pretty confident in my choice.

BUT... I could have been wrong and probably won't do it again. I do plan to keep my mind open, though.
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- men get robbed, killed and raped... good to be cautious in this bad times...
  
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  by Sheriff Raff -Answerhag on February 16th, 2008
- Very true. I'm not sure if I could deny an old man in a walker, though... but caution aside, what ever happened to altruism? It sucks that we can't help people anymore.
  
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  by Siddharma on February 16th, 2008
- Bad people are so crafty and sly, they take a good thing like being neighborly and they exploit it to rob and pillage, it is very sad you can't be hospitable to strangers without risking your own safety.
  
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  by Sheriff Raff -Answerhag on February 16th, 2008
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by -O-uknow on February 16th, 2008
No, good looking damsel.. maybe.
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by CoachMJ on March 14th, 2007
No...however, I would make a call for him.
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by gone on March 14th, 2007
When my German Shepherds answered the door (as they're prone to do) I don't think he'd want to come in my house.
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by RFlagg on March 14th, 2007
No.
Firstly, I would ask him where exactly his car was broken down.
If the supposed vehichle wasn't in sight from the doorstep, I would ask him to wait on the sidewalk while I brought him the cordless handset out to him.

Once he's out on the sidewalk, grab my cellular phone,
(I don't own a cell phone, but this is hypothetical me, and he does own a cell phone.)
bring him the handset of the cordless phone, and tell him to go ahead and make his call.
Keeping ready to dial 911 on the cell phone hidden in my other hand all the while.
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by Chosun One on March 14th, 2007
No, he would call from a cell phone outside at the most. Preferably I would call the number for him. Nothing insulting about taking precautions.
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by Aksafari on December 16th, 2008
I'd say, 'hang on' and go get my 9mm. Then, when I come back I let him see the gun. If he still wants to come in, I let him but keep my distance. Once wrong move, one suspicious word... BAM! I let him have it, then I cover up the evidence and hope nobody comes looking for his body under my house.
But that's all hypothetical.
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by Sheriff Raff -Answerhag on February 16th, 2008
I cannot remember if I answered this one already and I am too lazy to scroll through.

In this day and age, everyone has cell phones. He will not use that rap on me. I will call for him from the inside, case closed.
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by BigDaddyBS on February 16th, 2008
No. I saw CSI where the guy said he hit an animal then killed the family.

HOWEVER, my phone is wireless and I have a cell. I'd hand him the wireless, unless he DEMANDED to come in. (And why would he. There would be 4 dogs bouncing and barking at him through the door.)

(We live on a VERY quiet dead-end street. He'd have passed by a number of houses and ignored lighted businesses not more than a block or so from where he'd have broken down, even if it was ON our street.)
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by Nobody on February 16th, 2008
Sure, I'll just kill him first !
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by Mike on November 9th, 2007
sure if he wouldn't mind my rodesian ridgeback. Murphy is a big ass dog. I'd like to see him pull something with murph around lol :)
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- LOL, I was thinking that he could come in and meet my 120 pound doberman :)
  
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  by Cyndi Ninja on November 9th, 2007
- sweet. this poor stranger is in for a hard time. lol
  
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  by Mike on November 9th, 2007
- As long as he doesn't come in weilding a hair dryer or squirt gun, then I'm screwed, lol.
  
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  by Cyndi Ninja on November 9th, 2007
- ha ha ha ha i thought it was just my dog that was scared of the hairdryer. murphy has a fellow coward. :)
  
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  by Mike on November 9th, 2007
- Lol, the fools that would take on an armed man for us would run away whining at the sight of a conair dryer. Gotta love 'em :)
  
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  by Cyndi Ninja on November 9th, 2007
- Mine wouldn't even waste the energy whining if it meant he could get away faster.
  
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  by Mike on November 9th, 2007
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by Jade on March 16th, 2007
No, I have had that happen several times. I either bring the phone to them or offer to call. They usually have no desire to come in, my dog is part Chow and part coyote and does not like strangers.
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by Anonymous on March 15th, 2007
Nope, I might HAND him the phone for him to use outside.
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by Simply msFortunate on March 14th, 2007
No, because last weekend that strange man was my (ex) husband and I wouldn't let him in my house if you paid me a million dollars. You never know what kind of weirdo is going to come a-knockin'.
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by Universe Of Life on March 14th, 2007
I am a guy so It wouldn't worry me to let him in ...

but for a woman I would say no for sure ... everyone has a cell phone these days ... why wouldn't he have one? ... if he doesn't ... then just pass him yours through the door ...
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by CaRbOnPrOdUcK is Baccuss on December 16th, 2008
Hell no.
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by x on December 16th, 2008
Yea but id keep a close eye and carry my gat wit me just in case
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by henhilton on December 16th, 2008
hell no-had that happen once said no-funny thing he disappeared real quick
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by JoeK32880 on December 16th, 2008
Yeah, I'm generally not afraid of people and always give the benefit of the doubt.

Plus, I've been that strange man before, so I know what it's like on the other side.
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by SMores on March 21st, 2008
Well... i would call Barts (auto shop thats 5 blocks from where i live) and tell them to pick him up.. but no i wouldnt let him in.
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by limakilo on April 28th, 2009
I'd offer my mobile phone, but if I didn't have one, I'd let him inside. I'm a man, a good man, and I can handle myself.
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by Domari Pride on December 16th, 2008
That would depend on whether I was home alone, or if there were people at home, and if I was uncomfortable I just wouldn't open the door to begin with.
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by BillyGEE on February 16th, 2008
this is 2008 isn't it...?..take yer portable phone outside---be smart...
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by LadyLuck on July 4th, 2007
I was the person who broke down in a strange area at night once, and some guy let me use his cell phone. I'd probably do the same, but I'd turn on my porch light and bring the phone outside - he's not coming in my house. He can stand outside and wait. I'm nice, but not that nice.
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by MeLmO87 on July 4th, 2007
I would not let him inside. He would probably end up killing me or something.
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by ezhammer on July 4th, 2007
No. Now-a-days, everyone has a cellphone. Hell, even 12 year olds have cell phones. So, if he wanted to come in to use MY phone, I would know something was up.
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by Mr n Mrs M... on July 4th, 2007
It depends on my gut feeling, If he was a little old bloke with a panic stricken face then yes, but if it was a big bald muscleman I would perform the old 'Errrr No... Errr sorry we have just been cut off!' SLAM!!!
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by RosieGHM Jetpacker on July 4th, 2007
I would not even answer the door. The complex in which we live would make it very suspicious for someone to choose our door on which to knock..we (my partner and I) are of "a certain age" that would make us vulnerable to those who would do harm.
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by DRLAURAHATER on July 4th, 2007
No way! I would tell him where the nearest payphone was to use through a crack in my door.
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by RockRchick on June 3rd, 2007
I always check from my room window to see who it is first and if its noone I know if wont answer the door at all. He would most likely be scared shitless of my three dogs, they are extremely protective.
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by LuckyLefty on March 14th, 2007
Its a STRANGE man. So if that was my first judgement, he aint coming in unless he pays me.
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by Sarita1 Goes Bollywood on March 14th, 2007
No NO NO.

Through the closed door, I will lie and say its out of commission or that I would be more than happy to call for him.

Hey, I live in NYC. Crime is rampant!
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- believe that
  
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  by LuckyLefty on March 14th, 2007
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by justwannaknow on March 14th, 2007
No. If I don't recognize the person I won't even open the door. Way too many nutzo's these days.
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by Anonymoose on March 14th, 2007
No. We have cordless phones so I would give it to him and let him use it--outside.

**This has actually happened to me that a neighbor's grandson asked to use the phone cause he was locked out of their house and needed to call them to come unlock it. I brought the phone to him outside and he had no problems with doing that.
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- Thats cold. Thats your nieghbord grandson.
  
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  by LuckyLefty on March 14th, 2007
- He was in his 20's. He wasn't a little kid. Guess I should have mentioned that fact.
  
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  by Anonymoose on March 15th, 2007
- oh..yeah aiight i get it now
  
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  by LuckyLefty on March 15th, 2007
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by kat tarrin-AYPWIP on March 14th, 2007
wouldnt be the 1st time i let some random guy use th ephone. i call it plain stupidity on my part but i just cant find any thing that scares me any more. so yeah i would.
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- good peroson!
  
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  by LuckyLefty on March 14th, 2007
- person** -_-
  
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  by LuckyLefty on March 14th, 2007
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by Mrs.mezzo is a Wagnerian soprano on March 14th, 2007
Hells no.
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by loveschimps on July 4th, 2007
No, recently a woman came to my door and wanted to use our phone, I told even her NO
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by Smart2 is back! Did you miss me? on July 4th, 2007
No. In the first place, I don't answer my front door as it's usually Jehovahs wanting to convert me. Anyone who knows us comes to the garage door. If someone is driving a piece of sh*t car, they need to have a cellphone!!
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by curiousKristy on February 16th, 2008
No way. I would call the police for him and they could come deal with him. People are crazy! I don't want to end up being some strange guy's dinner!
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by Gina on February 16th, 2008
Not if my kids were home, or if I were by myself. If my husband and I were home, then most likely I would let him in.
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by Still breathing on February 16th, 2008
Nope, would offer the phone threw the door tho. It's wireless.
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by PokkiTokki on February 16th, 2008
Ha! I have seen "A Clockwork Orange"...
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by macdjug-Paxvobiscum on February 16th, 2008
No..I would pull out my cell phone and let him call from out front. Of course I might be inclined to help him out with his car if it was close since I know how to work on autos. I've helped many people with car problems before. I'm a sucker for helping people. :)
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