Today around 6pm the doorbell rang and there was a young man showing me a card that probably said something like "mute, deaf and blind" or whatever. It's been quite a while since someone begging last caught me at home, so I wonder if that is legal?

I got one of these guys on the train pretending to be deaf and mute. I refused and the he asked 'why'

Very pushy. Already had two names on the spreadsheet from Dubai who had given 200chf each....but of course could be fake.

You cured him!! That's worth more than any money you would have given.

When he was leaving the train he gave me a disappointed look and I burst out laughing.

In hindsight I should have said i don't have cash and can make a donation on their website.

Which brings me back to my question: is it legal to ring somebody's doorbell to beg?

Billag collects billions that way.

Hasn't happened for a while, but when it used to be a more regular occurrence, I just said:

- "Das Rote Kreuz wird Ihnen helfen".

They come tooyour door? We always get an invoice by mail.

Did they understand?

They understood that they were going to get diddly-squat ...... and probably the Red Cross bit - but it was not what they wanted to hear - sorry I forgot, they were deaf.

jesus christ, nice combo...

after ringing the doorbell, is he just standing there until his collection box gets slightly heavier?

He's still down the street pressing a bell which doesn't work.

You really need to tell this to the local police. This is a tactic used by people to see if you have a dog and to see who is at home. People who are 'registered' to collect money like this are issued with an special card. If he doesn't have one he's casing the place.

I had this happen, gave the guy 5 fr and the next day someone threw threw a rock through the window and stole about 30000 sfr worth of stuff.

Notify the police ASAP!

Guess he bought one of those plate glass piercing rocks that you can get at Migros DIY for CHF 5 on special offer. So you're actually an accessory to and victim of your own crime.

I second (or third ) the opinion that these "beggars" just scope out the place to see who is at home and when in a neighbourhood. I would notify the police if I were you.

Simple answer; 'NO'.

That is why I have no problem greeting strangers at my door with my 2 barking growling dogs.

There is a letter that has just been put up on our information board from the police to warn us of beggars who are going from door to door. If we encounter them then we should call the police as they are suspected to be responsible for break-ins in the area.

I have never seen or been approached by one, ever.

Any canvasser of any kind needs to have a permit. I don't think this law has changed lately.

They've obviously called, when you're not at home ...... pattern established; mission accomplished.

Are you sure all your windows are closed, and doors are dead-bolted?

It didn't help in our case - rock through the window the first time, jimmied the same window the second time. In broad daylight.

Doors are not usually the point of entry. Windows are fair easier. Ours have now been reinforced. It wont't stop them but it will slow them down a lot. The Internet photo cameras are also helpful.