Can I Help You?

This is my final week of Census address canvassing. My feet are tired. My stamina is increased. I am still frustrated with the plethora of unfenced dogs roaming Gig Harbor.

One of the things I have pondered during my Census experience is the use of the phrase, "Can I help you?" Other than being polite when a store clerk asks me that question, I have never given it much thought. I have heard it MANY times while address canvassing. Today, I was standing in front of a house in a fairly upscale neighborhood, verifying the address, and a woman in a van pulled up next to me and said, "Can I help you?" I wasn't in distress. I didn't look like I needed help in any way. What she was really saying is, "Why are you in my neighborhood and what are you doing?" It had absolutely nothing to do with offering me help. If I had been on private property I would have completely understood that, but I was standing on a county road in a populous area. I don't exactly look like I am casing the neighborhood and I carry a large book bag that says CENSUS.

Earlier in the day, I had a discrepancy with a street name and some addresses (was it 79th Ave or 79th Ave Ct?). No big deal. I knocked on the door of the only home on the street that looked like anyone was home. Dogs barked (of course) and I could see a lady approach the door. The door jiggled and the latch turned. She locked it! Didn't even answer. This is a nice neighborhood and, honestly, I do not look threatening. It was the non-verbal equivalent of "Can I help you?" Have we become more paranoid or am I just more aware of it now. The lady obviously felt safe enough to leave her door unlocked, but became frightened? unfriendly? when I dared to ring her doorbell?

And, I may never know if it was 79th Ave or 79th Ave Ct...