NationStates Jolt Archive

After watching Bowling for Columbine a while ago, and being annoyed by these "Brinks home security system" commercials, I wanted to know how many people lock their doors at night/whenever. I know it's a common thing to do in America, but are people around the world as paranoid as Americans about people breaking into their homes?

State where you're from.

I'm american, and my family always locks the door, with a two-lock system just to be sure. And I'm pretty sure everyone in my neighborhood does the same, even though we live in a middle class neighborhood removed from the more crime-stricken parts of my town.

Hell yeah I lock my door. Double locked at night. NYC denizen.

My fiance's family out in WI sometimes don't lock theirs when they go to town... that seriously warped my mind.

I lived in Detroit for 16 years (just recently moved to a suburb, Warren). We lock everything that we possibly can!

nah

there is no sense to it.

if the bad guys want to get in, they'll get in.

i live in the woods in new mexico.

I'm in the UK (England). We lock our door at night, and I think everyone I know does. Important for the insurance I think?

I live very close to the worst part of Santa Cruz. I sometimes hear gunshots at night. You fucking bet I lock my door. With both locks (though, I'm thinking about asking the landlady for a new front door, as this one has damage from a break-in attempt).

I lock my doors. after all, the last thing I want is to have people barge in on me.

I lock my door at night, but I often leave my door unlocked when I'm in class. Reason is simple. I trust my dorm-mates to watch out for me, and vice-versa.

Yes. We also have door stops (a removable metal pin that sits in the floor about 4 inches from the door center - unless I remove that pin, you're not going to be able to force the door open when I open it to see who you are).

No, unit is unlocked while I am in it.

I live in an inner suburb of Melbourne in Oz.

The owners' corporation voted last year to install a locked gate at the entrance to the block of units. I vote against the proposal but was outvoted.

Even before the installation of the gate I left my unit unlocked.

I come from the land called "Crooklyn, NY," where stealing isn't only a way of life, it is an art! This is also 21st century America where crime is not at an all-time low; it is at an all-time high. Better safe than sorry always will work when you lock your doors at night and make sure your alams are on -- safe!

always...we have trashy people around.

After watching Bowling for Columbine a while ago, and being annoyed by these "Brinks home security system" commercials, I wanted to know how many people lock their doors at night/whenever. I know it's a common thing to do in America, but are people around the world as paranoid as Americans about people breaking into their homes?

State where you're from.

I'm american, and my family always locks the door, with a two-lock system just to be sure. And I'm pretty sure everyone in my neighborhood does the same, even though we live in a middle class neighborhood removed from the more crime-stricken parts of my town.

I lock my door because there were multiple times I've been home, and someone I didn't know walked into my apartment. The thing was, they were looking for the neighbors.

I lived in Detroit for 16 years (just recently moved to a suburb, Warren). We lock everything that we possibly can!

Loldetroit.

I lock my door at night and when I go out, if it's for more than a few minutes. Not that it really matters, as the key is under the doormat (they'll never think to look there!), and the balcony door is unlocked and balcony window wide open (to allow my cats in and out).
Once, when the lock jammed I had to climb up onto the balcony and let myself in. Took less than a minute. And I'm not particularly limber! A ratboy could break into my place in less than 30 seconds. Until you've locked yourself out and need to break in, you don't realise just how easy it is to break into a place. My last place I was on the 3rd floor and I could break into there in under 30 seconds (which happened regularly as I had a habit of forgetting my key - hence it being under the doormat now!)
Few years ago I was living out on the coast and gave up locking my door. I had nothing worth stealing for one thing but also just saw the pointlessness of locking, as I'd always leave a window ajar for my cat. May as well let them come straight in - that way, at least I wouldn't be coming home to find my meager possessions stolen AND the door lock smashed! Plus the place had internal access through the garage, and I figured that even if I locked everything up, a determined and crafty burglar would just go into the garage, shut the garage door and have privacy while s/he dismantled/picked/smashed the internal door.

edit: I'm in Australia.

Always. I have a shaired stairway leading up to my flat which means loads of people walk past my door each day and it would also invalidate my insurance if someone just walks into my flat and steals my stuff.

I live on a college campus, so if I didn't keep my door locked at all times my room would be infiltrated by undergraduates drinking my booze and borrowing my pants. KEEP OUT OF MY PANTS, YOU DAMN KIDS!!
Seriously, though, it really bothers me that there are at least three pairs of my pants out there that other people are wearing/owning.

Here at my apt. I hardly ever lock the door, because its a Christian apt. building. No one here would steal anything from the other.

Back at my parents house though, everything is locked.


I'm from Illinois.

Yes. Every night. Fairly recently one of my roommates had his truck window smashed in and his radio stolen. When we moved in, our landlord specifically advised us that people might knock on our door at 2 AM, and that we should absolutely NOT answer unless we know who it is, because they might be holding a gun. It's that kind of neighborhood. Not a horrible one, but one where you do have to be careful after dark.

I live in Athens, Georgia.

My family over in Peachtree City, which is about two hours away in the same state, rarely locks their doors. There's not much need to there.

Here at my apt. I hardly ever lock the door, because its a Christian apt. building. No one here would steal anything from the other.

Back at my parents house though, everything is locked.


I'm from Illinois.

*makes a note to visit Christian apartment buildings next time he needs to pay rent* :tongue:

Back at my family's home, we never locked our door during the day. Only at night, after everyone was home. We also had a very loud dog.

I live in a gated community. Its very safe, i never lock my door.

My parents home in Connecticut has never been locked. We have gone so far as to go away for a week without locking the doors. The reasoning is that our house is pushed back from the street with a driveway that wraps around the back. If they wanted to break in, they would have no issue.

My place in Boston, the front door to the building automatically locks, and we usually lock our apartment doors and bedroom doors.

Locking the door makes a burglar unable to enter the house without enough noise to wake you up. Then it's up to you and your guns/knives/baseball bats and other perfectly legal means to protect your and your family's lives while the wife (or whoever) calls the police. A nice solid door is like the poor man's alarm system, only that it also acts as a barrier.

Locking the door makes a burglar unable to enter the house without enough noise to wake you up. Then it's up to you and your guns/knives/baseball bats and other perfectly legal means to protect your and your family's lives while the wife (or whoever) calls the police. A nice solid door is like the poor man's alarm system, only that it also acts as a barrier.

So is a nice loud dog. In fact, a good loud dog might discourage the burglar altogether because if the dog starts going crazy, he/she'll know that their secrecy is blown.

Here at my apt. I hardly ever lock the door, because its a Christian apt. building. No one here would steal anything from the other.
That's what you think...

So is a nice loud dog. In fact, a good loud dog might discourage the burglar altogether because if the dog starts going crazy, he/she'll know that their secrecy is blown.

What if you don't have the time to walk the dog every day, or if you live somewhere unsuitable for a dog?

What if you don't have the time to walk the dog every day, or if you live somewhere unsuitable for a dog?

Then don't get one, obviously.

Yes. I lock my door.

I don't, I'm almost always up, and I have a shotgun...

In the apartment building I live in the front door is never locked. However, you can't get in without a key or after ringing someone's doorbell who then has to buzz you in.

My door is never locked when I'm home. Not even at night.

You can't open the door from the hallway because on the outside is one of those non-turning door knobs and only on the inside is a door handle.

http://www.youhome.de/uploads/pics/Haustuer__c_Basi.jpg

So, when I'm home, I don't lock the door. Why should I? It would only keep me from leaving quickly. Besides, I'd have to unlock the door each time I want to go outside.

And... either I'd have to leave the keys in the lock and then there's the real possibility to forget them when running out the door (which is bad because you can't use the 2nd key when the 1st one is stuck on the inside - it's bad enough to run outside with the wrong pair of pants and the keys are in the one inside) or I'd have to take my keys out to unlock the door before I can even leave. That's way too time consuming.

I usually lock the door once or twice when I'm going to university or visit somewhere else or am away for a longer period of time, but if I'm only going down to the mail box or to the cigarette vending machine, I just pull the door shut.

On my hallway, it's usually the girls who lock themselves in when they're home. I'd never do that, just in case of a fire I'd like to be able to leave as quickly as possible. I for one wouldn't feel any safer with a locked door. If someone wanted to come in, they'd manage as "easily" with a locked door as they would with an unlocked one.

But here's something that has puzzled me greatly while visiting the States: In Germany, the gas tanks on cars have locks on them to be unlocked with the car key. In the States, all the cars I've driven and filled up didn't have that feature. I found that odd. Not only because people could easily steal your fuel (guess not a problem till recently), but also because they could mess with your tank and either add stuff (sugar, piss, water, etc.) or even easily torch your car.

I lock my door every night.

Long Island.

locks on the doors and all the windows, yeah. only been burgled once or twice in 10 years, and we have left the front door unlocked once or twice by accident, too... but better safe than sorry

i can't really imagine not locking your door. even if i didn't have to, its still a bit of privacy and peace of mind


edit: but that's only at night. during the day, when we're about downstairs, we keep it unlocked. sometimes in summer we leave it wide open, too. but, again, only if there's someone downstairs to watch or listen out

Oh yeah. Aside from the criminals wandering around, there's a serial rapist on the prowl...not that he's targeting men, but it's still better to be safe than raped.

. only been burgled once or twice in 10 years,

:eek:

Just as every door should have a lock, this thread needs a poll!

Just as every door should have a lock, this thread needs a poll!
You mean "should have" a poll. Sometimes, you don't use the option to lock your door. Apparently, sometimes the option to make a poll ain't used either.

Ummm, I don't. I think I'm supposed to (I'm back at home for a short time) however. When I lived on my own way up north in Alberta (near the NWT) I never did. It would just slow down the inflow and outflow of friends and coworkers. And I never had a key for the place so that kinda prevented me from locking it...

Oh yeah. Aside from the criminals wandering around, there's a serial rapist on the prowl...not that he's targeting men, but it's still better to be safe than raped.
That's what they all say, but they warm to it in time.

:eek:

is that good or bad? i'm betting good... this is a pretty safe neighbourhood (though its a bit of a rough city, especially for violent crime :-S this is just one of the nicer bits)

my folks moved out of London in the 80s because they were getting shit stolen on a weekly basis... Hampshire is way safer, thankfully! :)

My door stays lock unless I physically need to get in/out. Also have metal bars around all the windows for basement/first floor.

Typical stuff for Brooklyn residents.

After watching Bowling for Columbine a while ago

My condolences.


Anyway, I lock my door at night. Its paranoia, its common sense.

I live in San Diego. I lock all my doors at night and I have an alarm system that I arm at night or when I leave my home.

My door stays lock unless I physically need to get in/out. Also have metal bars around all the windows for basement/first floor.

Typical stuff for Brooklyn residents.

Have fun dying in a fire. Seriously, bars over the windows are an incredible fire hazard. I hear they make some now that have a sort of quick release from the inside, though.

Fringe USian. Land of bulldogs and lipstick.

And yes, i do. I live across the way from a flop house, and a lot of my neighbors are assholes and insane, but only knowing that upon introduction and familiarity.
Then, of course, there's our street "AK-49" pussies ... i mean, posses, what with their "rabid individuality" and all, paid for by Don Young and Ted Stevens.

Locked every night.

When I was in China, we would be behind thick concrete walls at least a third of a metre thick with a door of solid steel. Over twenty little locks and contraptions all also made from steel to keep the door shut. The windows were covered by these steel grates to prevent intruders from entering. Man, I felt secure in that. :P

I lock my door now, it's not strangers I fear but rather people I know. Ex-inlaws, my adult kids stoner friends, that sort of thing. People who have been in my house and know what I got but aren't above ripping me off and not feeling guilty about it.

When I was a teen I remember one time wanting to lock the house up because we were going on a short trip and nobody could find a key, it was that alien a concept. Of course we lived on a small farm, fully fenced and had dogs running loose. Nothing like organic security.

Living in the Georgia countryside I have never really seen or needed a reason to lock my doors.

it's still better to be safe than raped.Well ... at first, yes.
http://www.virginmedia.com/images/1banned-gal-life-of-brian.jpg

Always.

Living in the Georgia countryside I have never really seen or needed a reason to lock my doors.

Sir, if I was in the Georgia country side, I'd lock my doors every night. Of course, I voted democrat.;)

I'm in Toronto now, and I lock them. Its not up to me, since I'm living with someone else, but I would lock regardless.

I have been unlucky enough to have my house robbed in 3 different countries! Once in Wurtzburg, Germany while stationed there. One time in Leeds, UK while living there working for a American co. Other 3 times in the US. One of those times the guy was still in my house armed. I was also armed but since he didnt see us come home I let the police handle it. So hell yes I lock the door and keep a gun in the house. We live in a upperclass neighborhood however it doesnt mean we are safe from robbery.

Have fun dying in a fire. Seriously, bars over the windows are an incredible fire hazard. I hear they make some now that have a sort of quick release from the inside, though.

You do realize that people also live in houses where there are no windows on either side, and apartment buildings higher than 3 floors? Right and don't cross the street because you might actually get hit by a car.

There is no such thing perfect safety in life. You just have to weight how often people get their house broken into vs how likely would you not be able to access any doors/second floor windows when you really needed to. If you live in a neighborhood where you can leave your door open and be safe well good for you, but I can tell you it's not like that here.

Living in the Georgia countryside I have never really seen or needed a reason to lock my doors.

Why is the movie deliverance coming to mind? I think just on that note you have plenty of reasons to lock your door and carry a gun.

You do realize that people also live in houses where there are no windows on either side, and apartment buildings higher than 3 floors? Right and don't cross the street because you might actually get hit by a car.

There is no such thing perfect safety in life. You just have to weight how often people get their house broken into vs how likely would you not be able to access any doors/second floor windows when you really needed to. If you live in a neighborhood where you can leave your door open and be safe well good for you, but I can tell you it's not like that here.

I recognize that, yes.

However, I'd never put bars on my windows. Perhaps I'm more paranoid of fire than most, having spent a lifetime living in an old wooden house, and one of my strongest early memories being the Oakland Hills fire.

The prospect of burning/suffocating to death and being trapped terrifies me more than the idea of someone breaking in ever could.

And no, as I posted earlier, I live in a neighborhood where it's not that strange to hear gunshots. I think it's probably inevitable that at some point while living in my current home, someone will try to break in, I'll get mugged, or both. I've noticed people often like to make assumptions about me despite those being obviously wrong if they'd read earlier posts on the very same thread.

NYC native. I always lock my doors and accessible windows, no matter where I'm living, even in Vermont where the locals made fun of "paranoid New Yorkers" and then complained about their cars getting stolen. I currently live in Somerville, MA, and the police department recently sent round a recorded phone message (the phone messages being a system implemented with their 9/11 preparedness money) warning residents of a spike in burglaries in which the MO is entry through an unlocked window, so, yeah, I lock my windows here, too.

I recognize that, yes.

However, I'd never put bars on my windows. Perhaps I'm more paranoid of fire than most, having spent a lifetime living in an old wooden house, and one of my strongest early memories being the Oakland Hills fire.

The prospect of burning/suffocating to death and being trapped terrifies me more than the idea of someone breaking in ever could.

And no, as I posted earlier, I live in a neighborhood where it's not that strange to hear gunshots. I think it's probably inevitable that at some point while living in my current home, someone will try to break in, I'll get mugged, or both. I've noticed people often like to make assumptions about me despite those being obviously wrong if they'd read earlier posts on the very same thread.

"If" is not an assumption, it's a hypothetical condition. Since you didn't meet it, well too bad for you :P.

My door stays lock unless I physically need to get in/out. Also have metal bars around all the windows for basement/first floor.

Typical stuff for Brooklyn residents.
What the heck part of Brooklyn do YOU live in?
I've never had bars on the windows!

What the heck part of Brooklyn do YOU live in?
I've never had bars on the windows!

That's true, Brooklyn is pretty big. I guess just my area then.

Wisconsin. Two locks: one on the knob, and a deadbolt.

"If" is not an assumption, it's a hypothetical condition. Since you didn't meet it, well too bad for you :P.

Sure looked like one to me. Something you wouldn't have even bothered posting if you had bothered reading my earlier reply, as you would know that no, I don't live in some perfect area.

Never when I'm home, just at night if I remember. And when I'm gone for over an hour.

Locked, but with an argument. :tongue: My wife is from rural Japan and, as long as I am in the house or the both of us are out of it, she sees no reason to lock the door in our tiny little town (When she's home alone it's a different story). Given that I'm from Nevada, locking my door is just SOP, so sometimes we have a bit of a debate about it, especially if I wake up and find out that she didn't lock the door at night.

That said, we live in an old Japanese style house so the locks on our windows and doors are not exactly the most secure things in the world, but I insist on it anyway. Habit is a hard thing to break (Unlike our locks).

yes. it keeps the cold out.

I live in a safe neighbourhood in the US, and I always lock the doors.

No point in it, I can open my door when its locked so I'm certain anyone else could. Besides, I got dogs.

I lock my doors

Australia

No point in it, I can open my door when its locked so I'm certain anyone else could. Besides, I got dogs.

I have steaks for the dogs :p

I have steaks for the dogs :p

Doesn't mean they won't bark, thus waking everyone up.

Doesn't mean they won't bark, thus waking everyone up.

Good point. Begins buyig crazy purple knockout gas. Now I want to hear them bark.

Good point. Begins buyig crazy purple knockout gas. Now I want to hear them bark.

Crazy purple knockout gas might be effective, as it would also render the inhabitants unconscious. However, it might be fairly expensive and so reduce the profitability of the burgling.

To get into my room, you need to go through three doors.

Door #1 (door to my building) is locked. And made of metal. You need a legitimate keycard to get in.
Door #2 (door to my dorm) is locked. Both a keycard and the corresponding 4-digit combination are needed.
Door #3 (door to my private room) is unlocked. I trust my roomates.

Las Vegas area and you bet we lock doors at night. I had a scary experience once when I was younger and in bed. I swore I heard someone knock on the door and call my name to let them in. *shudders* I ignored it and went back to sleep although it still sends shivers down my spine.

We've also have a dog, but much good she's going to do. She'd probably lick a person to death, for example walking down the neighborhood and the neighbor looked kind of freaked out as she's a pretty big dog, but he extended his hand and all he got was a lick for it. *sighs and shakes head* I miss our old dog. A friend called him Devil Dog and with good reason. heh. :p

Las Vegas area and you bet we lock doors at night. I had a scary experience once when I was younger and in bed. I swore I heard someone knock on the door and call my name to let them in. *shudders* I ignored it and went back to sleep although it still sends shivers down my spine.

We've also have a dog, but much good she's going to do. She'd probably lick a person to death, for example walking down the neighborhood and the neighbor looked kind of freaked out as she's a pretty big dog, but he extended his hand and all he got was a lick for it. *sighs and shakes head* I miss our old dog. A friend called him Devil Dog and with good reason. heh. :p

A dog isn't useful just for potentially biting intruders, but for being loud enough to wake everyone in the hosue up.

A dog isn't useful just for potentially biting intruders, but for being loud enough to wake everyone in the hosue up.

Actually the old dog, I think it was partial senileness but he was pure crazy near the end of his life. He growled and lunged at everyone, including potential boyfriends. Stupid dog was way way overprotective.

Actually the old dog, I think it was partial senileness but he was pure crazy near the end of his life. He growled and lunged at everyone, including potential boyfriends. Stupid dog was way way overprotective.

Overprotective dogs can have their advantages.

To OP:

I have 3 doors that are always locked before someone could get to my room. I live with a lot of people and I don't trust any of them further than I could throw them, and soemtimes even less than that. Plus the neighborhood sucks, people get shot/beaten/hospitalized/robbed on a fairly regular basis, that said I'm not too afraid, but I don't want someone to come in while I'm away or sleeping.

'Merica, ftw, btw

But here's something that has puzzled me greatly while visiting the States: In Germany, the gas tanks on cars have locks on them to be unlocked with the car key. In the States, all the cars I've driven and filled up didn't have that feature. I found that odd. Not only because people could easily steal your fuel (guess not a problem till recently), but also because they could mess with your tank and either add stuff (sugar, piss, water, etc.) or even easily torch your car.

Some cars have a button on the inside to open it and some don't, at least thats my experience, never heard of ones having a lock that you open with the car key, seems like a hassle.

What the heck part of Brooklyn do YOU live in?
I've never had bars on the windows!

According to my G/F only Asian people in Brooklyn get bars on their windows.

But here's something that has puzzled me greatly while visiting the States: In Germany, the gas tanks on cars have locks on them to be unlocked with the car key. In the States, all the cars I've driven and filled up didn't have that feature. I found that odd. Not only because people could easily steal your fuel (guess not a problem till recently), but also because they could mess with your tank and either add stuff (sugar, piss, water, etc.) or even easily torch your car.

Actually my car has a locked gas cap. heh. No one is touching my gas. :mp5:

Aye, so that if anything gets stolen we get the insurance on it.

Actually my car has a locked gas cap. heh. No one is touching my gas. :mp5:

We have one on our old truck.

Not on our car, though. Maybe it would be a good idea.

pfft, no...who's gonna break into my house? the elderly German couple down the street?

I do as Australia is full of thieves. if you really want to see poor security go to japan. They watch the foreigners closely but the locals leave the keys in the car overnight

I do as Australia is full of thieves. if you really want to see poor security go to japan. They watch the foreigners closely but the locals leave the keys in the car overnight
Aye but they have ninjas on every streetlight to prevent theft, so s'all good.

I do as Australia is full of thieves. if you really want to see poor security go to japan. They watch the foreigners closely but the locals leave the keys in the car overnight
that's because they know what would happen if they ever stole anything: Punishment for car theft is you have to stick your nose up between a Sumo wrestlers butt cheeks on a hot Summer's day after he's been for a 3 mile run.

When I used to live in SoCal, I locked everything. Padlocks on the gates, padlocks on the garage. Deadbolts on the front door and inner garage door. Sticks in all the windows. The habit's carried over to Colorado Springs, but here if I occasionally forget, it doesn't trouble me much.

Yeah, I grew up in a comfortable-but-not-affluent suburb, so protecting property was drilled into me early. Most of my neighbours are students, and they, like I, probably have nothing worth stealing, but the door gets locked on a regular basis.

pfft, no...who's gonna break into my house? the elderly German couple down the street?

NEVER trust the Germans.:mad:

I lock my door when I go out and at night, but not if I'm awake. This is mostly because we're in a shared apartment building and on occasions the front/back door as been left open (it doesn't always shut properly if you don't pull it) and we live on a main street. So it's just a basic security precaution against someone randomly wandering in.

This said, I have forgotten to lock my door on occasions and never been particularly worried. I live in the city centre of a small and really quite safe city and though there is occasioanlly minor/petty crime I've never felt I was in particular danger of being burgled.

I'm from Australia too (like Self-Sac) and I have to agree with him. Most people in Australian cities lock their houses and cars. I think it's quite different in many country areas though.

The capital cities have too many junkies looking for a quick burglary and quite a few car-thieves (many who are young joy riders)

I know it's a common thing to do in America, but are people around the world as paranoid as Americans about people breaking into their homes?
I always lock the door - a blinded 2 locks, 4 cm thick steel door within a steel frame, and my house is made of bricks and reinforced concrete (good luck breaking in without making A LOT of noise, and entering from the balcony isn't an option). But that's quite standard here in Italy.
I live in a condominium in a quite normal peripheral area.

After watching Bowling for Columbine a while ago, and being annoyed by these "Brinks home security system" commercials, I wanted to know how many people lock their doors at night/whenever. I know it's a common thing to do in America, but are people around the world as paranoid as Americans about people breaking into their homes?

State where you're from.

I'm american, and my family always locks the door, with a two-lock system just to be sure. And I'm pretty sure everyone in my neighborhood does the same, even though we live in a middle class neighborhood removed from the more crime-stricken parts of my town.

I live in Ireland, and we lock our door when we go to sleep at night, and when we leave the house for more than about half an hour or so.
Other than that, it's always open.

Do you lock your door?

On the basis of paranoia, I refuse to answer this question.

:tongue:

I live in what is colloquially termed "The bad part of town". The door is locked, and while I'm home, the other 'security system' is loaded and accessable. (I've had to repel boarders a few times since I moved here-apparently a locked door and "Keep out" sign just don't work as well as the universal sound of "you don't want to hear what's coming next".)

I live in a dorm in Germany. Doors don't open from the outside unless you've got a key. I did hear this wasn't always thus in the dorm, and back when the GDR was still around, people raiding other people's fridges was common.

...so, yeah, I lock my windows here, too.

How do you lock windows? :confused:

Living in the Georgia countryside I have never really seen or needed a reason to lock my doors.

After all that Russian Tank's getting in. Locked door or no locked door.

only if i'm going away for more then a few hours and my neighbor's dog is on vacation.

it goes without saying i don't live in a high crime neighborhood. if i was living as rurally as i grew up, i would probably never have to lock it at all. not if the only way to get to my house were to have to walk at least five miles through terrain too steep and irregular even to get a dozer through to build a firebreak. which pretty much describes the kind of places i grew up in.

the only thing i worry about anyone running off with is this computer, because i use it all the time. the rest of the piles of crap, meh. i'm not into attatchment to things, unless i'm using them all the time to create and explore with. i'm not really into accumulating things either, or expecting anyone to be impressed by my, or anyone's doing so.

if more people lived and thought like i feel, the only thing anyone would be impressed by would be generosity and what people create themselves. (and then, what incentive would there be for anyone to want to take anything or hurt anyone? i really think we'd all find more gratification and happiness creating and exploring then in all the con-game nonsense of getting people to want to try and impress each other. i think that's really at the root of what keeps everything screwed up. and that realizing where there's no gratification there to persue, is the way out of it, out of all the screwedupness certain intrests keep trying to convince us to take for granted as how things somehow invariably have to be, which they just plain don't)

As if I have a choice... my door is self-locking.

Front door is always locked
Back door is never locked

How do you lock windows? :confused:
i can't speak for everyone, but we had our old wooden windows replaced with better insulated plastic ones (they look almost the same, just not quite as nice) and they have locks built into them. there's a little button on the handle you have to press if you want to open the window (which makes it difficult to open from the outside), and a little keyhole in that button. once locked, you can't press the button to open the window. the whole locking mechanism runs up the side of the window casing. you really don't notice it, but i'm sure that what we have is pretty lightweight compared to some


Some cars have a button on the inside to open it and some don't, at least thats my experience, never heard of ones having a lock that you open with the car key, seems like a hassle.
it is, but there's often a little place on the cover where you can hang the cap (sometimes with keys still attached) while filling up. sometimes the cap is attached by a bit of rubber or something. so its not too bad... i'd feel worried without it

I live in Ireland, and we lock our door when we go to sleep at night, and when we leave the house for more than about half an hour or so.
Other than that, it's always open.
you leave the door unlocked even when you're out of the house? :eek::confused:

Almost always lock it, always have. Only time I don't is if I just forget. Sometimes the back door is unlocked over night. Of course I own two rather large dogs and the neighbors are damn well aware of it.

i can't speak for everyone, but we had our old wooden windows replaced with better insulated plastic ones (they look almost the same, just not quite as nice) and they have locks built into them. there's a little button on the handle you have to press if you want to open the window (which makes it difficult to open from the outside), and a little keyhole in that button. once locked, you can't press the button to open the window. the whole locking mechanism runs up the side of the window casing. you really don't notice it, but i'm sure that what we have is pretty lightweight compared to some.

Nope, I don't think I've ever seen that. Why would anybody want to lock their windows? :confused:


you leave the door unlocked even when you're out of the house? :eek::confused:

Of course, but only if we're not gone for too long. We sometimes leave the back door open when we're gone for a bit longer, so the neighbours can let the cats in and out.

I lock my doors, but I'm not paranoid. The area where I live is quite safe.

If you don't lock the door, the monsters will get in and hide in the cupboards and under the bed:(

I don't, I'm almost always up, and I have a shotgun...

It is almost like you want someone to get into your house...


I always lock my door except on the few occasions I have been so drunk I can't work out how to actually work the lock.

Some cars have a button on the inside to open it and some don't, at least thats my experience, never heard of ones having a lock that you open with the car key, seems like a hassle.
Not really. You'll have to take the keys with you anyway when you leave the car to pay the gas, so you already have them with you. (No "pay at the pump" here.)
It's not more of a hassle than looking for the button that opens the gas tank.

Actually my car has a locked gas cap. heh. No one is touching my gas. :mp5:
Is it a new car? A U.S. brand? Or an Asian/European car?
pfft, no...who's gonna break into my house? the elderly German couple down the street?
Maybe...
NEVER trust the Germans.:mad:
You need to develop some trust in Germans. You know you love our engineering and trust that.

So, start by trusting me.
I live in a dorm in Germany. Doors don't open from the outside unless you've got a key. I did hear this wasn't always thus in the dorm, and back when the GDR was still around, people raiding other people's fridges was common.
That's still pretty common in the dorms I've visited.
How do you lock windows? :confused:
With the lock built into the handle. :p
Nope, I don't think I've ever seen that. Why would anybody want to lock their windows? :confused:
Our new windows at home have a lock in them, as does the new Terassentür.
The way I understood it, locks on windows (I consider the Teraseentür another big window) anchor the window in its frame at multiple locations and therefore prevent burglary better than the "old" style windows which could be pried open more easily.
I lock my doors, but I'm not paranoid. The area where I live is quite safe.
You mean, it used to be until you announced that it was. You jinxed it. Jinxy!

If you don't lock the door, the monsters will get in and hide in the cupboards and under the bed:(
When you lock your door and the monsters from underneath your bed attack you, you can't flee through your locked door... What then, huh?

You mean, it used to be until you announced that it was. You jinxed it. Jinxy!

Really? Aw man, I'm screwed!:(

When you lock your door and the monsters from underneath your bed attack you, you can't flee through your locked door... What then, huh?

:eek: Eep! *Checks reinforced steel-lined safety cupboard for monsters, steps inside, locks door, and swallows key.*

Is anyone esle getting the 'Nothing but padlocks' ad? It is like they know...

We do, but that's because we don't wanna leave the door wide open. No second locks.

Not really. You'll have to take the keys with you anyway when you leave the car to pay the gas, so you already have them with you. (No "pay at the pump" here.)
It's not more of a hassle than looking for the button that opens the gas tank.


Is it a new car? A U.S. brand? Or an Asian/European car?

It's a Kia, and I think it's a 2003 or 2005. It's an Asian car. But that matters very little. I've seen the locked gas caps in various car stores ie, Pepboys etc. If you don't have one you can always buy one, it's not like it's that difficult to go out and get a locked gas cap. They do exist.

It's a Kia, and I think it's a 2003 or 2005. It's an Asian car. But that matters very little. I've seen the locked gas caps in various car stores ie, Pepboys etc. If you don't have one you can always buy one, it's not like it's that difficult to go out and get a locked gas cap. They do exist.

Kia, eh?

I don't lock mine. It's not that the area I live in is particuliarly safe. I'm lazy and too poor to have anything to steal.

Not really. You'll have to take the keys with you anyway when you leave the car to pay the gas, so you already have them with you. (No "pay at the pump" here.)
It's not more of a hassle than looking for the button that opens the gas tank.

Is it a new car? A U.S. brand? Or an Asian/European car?

Well, my old Citroen ZX (1994 model) had a key lock on the gas cap.

Anyway, to the OP.
I lock the door of our Prague apartment to avoid my cat getting out (she is able to open the door unless it's locked) and neighbours getting in while I'm making a shower.
I lock the door of our house in the mountains to avoid other cats getting in (male cats marking their territory on your keyboard, ewww) and to avoid our cat taking home her trophyes for showoff (dismembered mice scattered across the kitchen are really icky).
I lock the door of my italian place mainly to keep my mother's cats either in or out (depends on the cat, she has five).

Yes, I'm a cat-slave...

Really? Aw man, I'm screwed!:(
You can always perform the safety dance, though... (and yes, it does include nudity)
:eek: Eep! *Checks reinforced steel-lined safety cupboard for monsters, steps inside, locks door, and swallows key.*
FIRE!!!
It's a Kia, and I think it's a 2003 or 2005. It's an Asian car. But that matters very little. I've seen the locked gas caps in various car stores ie, Pepboys etc. If you don't have one you can always buy one, it's not like it's that difficult to go out and get a locked gas cap. They do exist.
That's funny, 'cause over here, I've never seen a locked gas cap that could be bought in a store...

Neither have I seen those in the States - the times, they are a-changing...
Kia, eh?
Shush... it could be a lot worse.

You need to develop some trust in Germans. You know you love our engineering and trust that.

So, start by trusting me.


Yeah, you make great guns and great cars.(BMW and H&K FTW!)

In my country nobody ever locked their doors (or windows) unless they went on a very long vacation,this started to change 14 years ago when the first immigration wave came.Now it is common to find locked doors in big cities.
Oh I live in Greece btw.

My dorm is self locking, and you need a card to get in. (United States)

Apparently none of you have seen "It Takes a Thief" on Discovery. A good thief can be in and out of your house in less than 10 minutes with enough valuables to make you cry. And as far as "safe neighborhoods"- they aren't really that safe. Its an illusion. Maybe some neighbors are nosy enough to pay attention, but honestly, most people just won't notice.

"Is that a plumbing van in the Johnsons' yard?"
"Yeah, it is, must have a backed up toilet."
*Turns away from the window just in time to miss burglars carrying out a bags and bags of valuables*

I live in North Dakota, and I lock my door.

NEVER trust the Germans.:mad:

I actually don't know if they are German, might be Danish or Austrian or something.

My dorm is self locking, and you need a card to get in. (United States)

Apparently none of you have seen "It Takes a Thief" on Discovery. A good thief can be in and out of your house in less than 10 minutes with enough valuables to make you cry. And as far as "safe neighborhoods"- they aren't really that safe. Its an illusion. Maybe some neighbors are nosy enough to pay attention, but honestly, most people just won't notice.

"Is that a plumbing van in the Johnsons' yard?"
"Yeah, it is, must have a backed up toilet."
*Turns away from the window just in time to miss burglars carrying out a bags and bags of valuables*

That's where the two large dogs come in.

I live in a relatively safe area of town (Marietta/Roswell border) in north Georgia, but the doors are still locked every night.

Crazy purple knockout gas might be effective, as it would also render the inhabitants unconscious. However, it might be fairly expensive and so reduce the profitability of the burgling.

I'll be sure to only rob the homes of the rich. Those that have a few LCD TVs and that priceless vase from the Ming dynasty.

You can always perform the safety dance, though... (and yes, it does include nudity)

Mind showing me this Safety Dance you speak of?

BTW, for those who don't already know, I am a resident of Madrid.

Mind showing me this Safety Dance you speak of?

BTW, for those who don't already know, I am a resident of Madrid.
Sure thing. :):):) Next time I'm in Spain, I'll drop by and dance. :eek2:

I lock my door, I paid too much for the stuff in my apartment (some of which are antiques that I worked long and hard to get) and I'm unwilling to risk them getting jacked by some creep, especially since locking my door doesn't take any time or energy to do and it probably helps to some extent.

Oh right, I'm an American.

I'm from a small college town in northern Michigan and I don't generally lock my doors. I lock my doors when I'm asleep and when I'm off doing anything more time consuming than a quick trip to the nearest store. Given that almost all my neighbors know of me is that I'm an Iraq vet and I'm occasionally seen moving an AK-47 from my car to my house and back I'm not that worried about them coming in to steal my things. Since I often walk places the presence of my car isn't a reliable indicator of my being home.

I currently live in a tent, the plywood door on which is always locked when no one is present.

I'm moving in with some friends in a couple weeks and I've never seen that house locked.

Shush... it could be a lot worse.

How_ Show me a good car made by Kia. Of course, he could have a Lada.

Mind showing me this Safety Dance you speak of?

BTW, for those who don't already know, I am a resident of Madrid.

it involves a floor to ceiling pole, and the removal of most of your clothing :)

I lock my door at night, but still got broken into a few months back......through the window. I live in England.

There's no door handle on the outside of our front door. You need a key to open from the outside, so yes, it's always locked when it's closed.

If it wasn't like that, I wouldn't normally bother locking it when I was in the house. I would when I went to bed though.

I live in a flat with students. We all have classes at different times, most of us are fairly forgetful and don't bring keys with us, and none, some, or all of us may be out on a particular night without having given the others warning. The front door is pretty much always unlocked.

I live very close to the worst part of Santa Cruz. I sometimes hear gunshots at night. You fucking bet I lock my door. With both locks (though, I'm thinking about asking the landlady for a new front door, as this one has damage from a break-in attempt).

Boardwalk?

My door is always double-locked, whether I'm out or at home, and I live in a very nice neighborhood.

Is it a new car? A U.S. brand? Or an Asian/European car?


My 18-years-old VW Polo has a locked gas cap, too. Quite standard.

it involves a floor to ceiling pole, and the removal of most of your clothing :)

Ah, a stripper pole...:cool: