Do I not like art?

I was at home this evening around 9pm. It was just starting to get dark outside and the doorbell rang.

I couldn't see who it was so I turned on the outside light and opened the door. Standing there was a well presented young man (I sound like someone's parents) with a stack of paintings at his feet, resting against his legs.

We exchanged the usual pleasantries for about 10 seconds and then I asked him if he was selling paintings. He looked a bit taken back and answered "no, I am selling art". This comment was designed to make me feel like a philistine perhaps??

I gave him my usual line when I don't want to stand at the door talking to a complete stranger wishing to sell me something. I said "look I don't want to waste your time, I'm not interested."

I thought that was pretty final. I mean "I'm not interested" should really be the end of it for me.

He comes back with "you say you're not interested, do you not like art?"

OK. Now I'm starting to feel insulted. I breathe in, and repeat "I don't want to waste your time, I'm not interested".

I wish him a good evening and he replies in kind. He picks up his stuff and leaves.

Now I think this is a tough job that he's doing, I really do. I just don't want to buy one of these things at 9 o'clock at night. It's dark for heaven's sake and he's trying to sell paintings, sorry.. Art.

This is the second time I have been slurred on my own doorstep, the previous being by a beligerent delivery driver wanting to sell me beef from the back of a refrigerated van.

Maybe I am getting old and grumpy.