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I was working a survey that had an interesting method of identifying the respondent via a preliminary set of questions. So basically, I'd approach a house, gain the cooperation of someone there, obtain a list of the residents in the household, and then the computer would identify the person I would interview.

I approached this house the first time, and an older balding man answered the door. I started to explain why I was there and he angrily dismissed me. He wasn't having anything to do with any surveys.

I made note of his refusal and the time that I was there. A few weeks later, as my case load shrunk, I decided to do a visit at a different time. Then a woman answered the door and quickly agreed to go through the screening process. She lived there with her cranky husband and an adult daughter. Of course the computer selected the old man. His wife went into the other room where he was watching tv, and told him about his selection. She came back a few minutes later and said that he wouldn't do it.

A week or so later I went back because. This time it was early afternoon, and he answered the door. He looked at me with a defeated look on his face and told me that he needed to be quiet because his grandkids were sleeping. He told me to return on a different day.

When I arrived at the appointed time, he greeted me warmly, He led me into his kitchen and offered me iced tea before I started my survey. Through the interview I learned that he was a retired doctor—no stranger to helping people and fully aware of the vital importance of my survey.