Census workers came to my house!

[djf]

OK... I'm in my front yard and an SUV pulls up and parks in my neighbors driveway. I go back to doing what I was doing... then I hear "Hello..." so I look up.

A young (early thirties) guy is standing there with a slightly larger fellow behind him.

"We've stopped here about thirty times and have not been able to get any info from your naighbors who live in that house... (pointing at the house)... would you have any info about who lives there?"

I think about this for a couple seconds. Somewhat smelling a setup.

My reply... "I would have to say it is dramatically unAmerican to have to report things about my neighbor..." Surprisingly, they both after hearing this, nod their heads.

Second guy pops in "But can you give us any idea about how many live there? Best guess?"

So I said what I could "Best guess, I would say at least one."

First guy says "Ok. Thanks. So we'll put down one." and they both walk off.

Anyways, they seemed reasonable and non-confrontational, and I gave them the absolute minimum amount of info I felt they needed, and they asked me NO questions about me myself. (I had filled out the census form with one single piece of info ONLY! How many people live here.)

Didn't see any portable GPS units or guns...

Just thought I'd report to FReepers what happened.

[BunnySlippers]

Well, you know what to do! =)

[Ciexyz]

Ah, public sector workers, gainfully employed.

[Tennessee Nana]

Lucky you !!!

[autumnraine]

I am a census worker. A) They should have had badges on a cord around their neck. B) They should have had a sign in their window somewhere that said “CENSUS WORKER: THIS VEHICLE MAKES FREQUENT STOPS” C) I wonder if you misheard them on the number of visits because only 3 are allowed. However if they had stopped “thirty” times, you should report them to the Census Bureau because they aren’t census enumerators. We are only allowed to make three physical visits and on the third visit attempt to find a proxy such as neighbor, which is why they asked you.

[Sarah Barracuda]

For the past two days, this old guy comes here saying he is from the Census saying that they never got our information which is total BS..we sent it two weeks ago along with bills, etc, they got it. So he starts asking “Does anyone live in the back?” we have a guest house in the back which we rent to a guy who just moved here from Texas..and my Mom said “Yes he is our tenant, how do you know that” and he did not answer..then yesterday he comes back AGAIN(Annoying as hell these people are) parked right outside our house, saying they never got our Census paperwork..and he wanted our personal info, we said no, that we would give our first and last name and thats it, then he left

[GinaLolaB]

Hi djf, I was fortunate to get a census job and I really like it. I would say that most people do not mind responding to the questions.

[Trteamer]

They were at my house twice day before yeasterday. First time my wife wouldn’t open the door. Second time we were coming back to the house after a walk and they were parked out front. We kept on walking, went around the block, down the alley and in the back door.

I answered the first question and that’s all they get. They stayed 15 minutes before driving off. If they come back they can go pound sand.....

[Man50D]

You should have responded to their question to you by asking them how many carbon credits they purchased to use the SUV.

[G Larry]

I must say, I hated the intrusive census questions and put it off for a long time.

I did cite “American” for “race”, but hated answering name, phone, and all of the “please tell us you’re Mexican” type questions.

[djf]

Honestly I don’t have a problem with the census EXCEPT...

If they are going to count for Congressional representation, they should count ONLY American Citizens and they dont have any need at all to know how many bathrooms or any other social-engineering bullcrap they want.

[mojo114]

They had been to your neighbor 30 times!! What did that cost the taxpayer and why?
Do you have a neighborhood that is diverse? Interesting in any other way?
Just seems excessive.

[elpinta]

Good point, I will use that since I expect then to visit me, soon, very soon...

[Larry Lucido]

"They are easily startled, but they'll be back. And in greater numbers."

[A_perfect_lady]

That would set off my paranoia too. I’m fully ready to say over and over “I’ve never met them, I keep to myself. I’ve never met them, I keep to myself. I’ve never met them, I keep to myself.”

[ChildOfThe60s]

Lowering unemployment, one new census worker at a time.

[One Name]

I think your response was appropriate.

I’ve had feds show up to do backgrounds on new hires ( they usually don’t get the full background done on them until after they are hired)who are neighbors. They are doing their job. I give a minimum response.

In the agency I worked for they would usually come before hiring them. I would give a more detailed response based on my professional position (they had signed releases) but they have to ask the right question.

[djf]

Both had clipboards but I don’t recall seeing any badges.

Didn’t look like thieves canvassing for places to hit. This is probably not the best neighborhood for that, alot of my neighbors are armed...

[GinaLolaB]

The one question that I find hard to ask is “Are you a male or a female?” as I am talking to the person who is either clearly a male or a female. I try to make light of it. So far people have been nice to me. I always try to be nice to the people I interview.

[pillut48]

I put “Human” in the race section, and next to all the Hispanic questions wrote: “We do NOT support illegal aliens living in America getting taxpayer paid entitlements.” Wrote that like 5 or 6 times. :-) Hopefully Mr. Census people will get the message!