The Doorbell
My doorbell rang today. Remember the doorbell? That annoying sound that gets the dog barking and the people scrambling to peek between the mini blinds or rush to view the video from the “security” camera. As if we are rent a cops. There we sit in our homes as if we are defending our castle. The moat between us and “them”.
It’s only a brave person that dares open the door when the bell rings and actually speaks to a stranger standing on the doorstep. Who are they? What do they want to sell? Why won’t they take no for an answer? How long will they stand there? Will they ring the bell again?
But since the invention of the DIY video camera to install and monitor the front door and every other spec of the property, people seem to have become so fearful of the doorbell ringer.
When the doorbell rang today I found myself scrambling to open the app on my phone to see who was there. The dog was barking. I walked by a window and ducked. As if the bell ringers were peering inside my window. By the time I actually got myself to stand upright and not trip over my own two feet and open the app, the bell ringers were on my neighbors doorstep - ringing the bell. I chuckled to myself since no one lives there.
When I was a kid, the doorbell rang and we ran to answer the door. Yes, sometimes the kids actually opened the door! Horrifying. But we did. I guess we were tough. Let’s face it, we slid down hot metal slides as if our legs were ribeye steaks, drank water from the hose like it was Athletic Greens and we even got up to change the channel on the TV across the room. We were a brave bunch.
Several months ago I thought I could outsmart the bell ringers - the ones that are trying to sell you solar panels or a new roof. As they walk around the neighborhood with a badge. I posted a DIY sign on my door NO SOLICITING / SIN SOLICITOR. I wanted to be sure I covered both English and Spanish speaking. I also went a step further and added a the following - Do not ring the bell unless you need my signature. Place mail in mailbox. Place packages in metal box to the right. Pretty smart wouldn’t your say?
Humph ! It didn’t work. I kept it up, convinced that my approach would silence the bell.
But to no avail.
And the worst part was that packages were now being left on my doormat. So stepping out of the house now became a great place to twist an ankle.
Was my sign not high tech enough?
It all makes you wonder at which point did we start diving behind the furniture whilst monitoring our post of cameras. People follow people. People follow people’s actions. Everyone wants in on the new thing, the new tech device. Once these cameras made themselves available, it became the norm for all to have one.
It all just begs the question - are we all just watching one another watching one another?
©2023 Anne Manera
www.annemanera.com
www.annemanerapaintings.com