Walking into people's homes without knocking (Pittsburgh, Beaver Falls: house, moving to, garage door)

[noblerare]

Growing up, I was always taught to knock on people's doors and that they would come and open the door for you before entering their homes. This was so ingrained in me that it was a shock to recently move to Pittsburgh and discover that it is acceptable to just walk in the front door if it's unlocked.

Is this a Pittsburgh thing? If so, why?

Often times, couples friends would invite me or me and my fiancee over for a gathering and we would knock and be let in as normal. Then, as people started to show up, they would just walk in the front door and I'd be surprised that they were there when I didn't even know they had shown up.

Other times, I would host a dinner and people would just walk in the front door as well. I try to be gracious about it but it still surprises me.

[shadowfax]

Interesting.

When I was growing up it was very common to jsut walk into somone's house and most people didn't lock their doors. But that was in Connecticut and since Moving to Pittsburgh I have never seen anyone do that unless they were very close family or friends. The people who host the house cocerts I attend have people jsut walk in but they put a note on the door to tell people to do so.

[Lost_In_Translation]

Depends, I always knock unless I know it’s a backyard thing and no one would hear me arriving or the host specifically tells me to come in when I arrive. I’ve never assumed I could just walk in to someone’s house unless there is some indication.

[Cindi Waters]

Even if you're family or close with the person that invited you, it's best to knock first and wait. But knock hard, because some people (like me) are hard of hearing.

[Tractor Face]

You really need to knock unless it's understood by BOTH parties that it's okay not to. I always knock.

[Paul2421]

Originally Posted by shadowfax

Interesting.

When I was growing up it was very common to jsut walk into somone's house and most people didn't lock their doors. But that was in Connecticut and since Moving to Pittsburgh I have never seen anyone do that unless they were very close family or friends. The people who host the house cocerts I attend have people jsut walk in but they put a note on the door to tell people to do so.

im interested in these house concerts. im guessing this is an among friends thing?

[fleetiebelle]

Originally Posted by noblerare

Often times, couples friends would invite me or me and my fiancee over for a gathering and we would knock and be let in as normal. Then, as people started to show up, they would just walk in the front door and I'd be surprised that they were there when I didn't even know they had shown up.

Is this a party situation where guests are letting themselves in so the hosts don't have to keep going to the door, or is this just people walking in to someone else's home with no warning? The former I can get behind more than the latter, which is rude.

[guy2073]

Coming in to my place with out knocking will just give you a bruise on your head and a foggy recollection of what happened.

[Katarina Witt]

Originally Posted by shadowfax

Interesting.

When I was growing up it was very common to jsut walk into somone's house and most people didn't lock their doors. But that was in Connecticut and since Moving to Pittsburgh I have never seen anyone do that unless they were very close family or friends. The people who host the house cocerts I attend have people jsut walk in but they put a note on the door to tell people to do so.

People did it in Beaver Falls, even back in the 90s. I think even close family or friends should knock unless you told them they could just come in. My daughters have our garage door code and do let themselves in; I've given it to other people on occasion.

[szug-bot]

Originally Posted by fleetiebelle

Is this a party situation where guests are letting themselves in so the hosts don't have to keep going to the door, or is this just people walking in to someone else's home with no warning? The former I can get behind more than the latter, which is rude.

i think its as simple as that. the OP recently moved to pittsburgh and stated it was a "gathering". maybe they do not know the hosts' history that well. it could be that their hosts' gathering is basically a party, where mostly trusted friends will arrive and feel comfortable enough to let themselves in.

this is a little different than what the thread title led me to believe.