Ask Lemmy

The requirement isn't that vampires need to hear you say "You can come in," it's that you need to extend them a formal invitation and lower the barrier that protects your home. Theoretically, you could lie to the vampire, but they'd probably notice your barrier and wouldn't get fooled.

...you do have a barrier right? You properly consecrated the ground before moving, drew the sigils, and cleansed all existing evil spirits? 'Cuz otherwise, any old spooky creature will probably skip the pleasantries and just get you.

I'm sure it varies by setting but my head canon is it's about intent. They don't need to be granted permission explicitly, they just need you to explicitly want them to enter.

Depends, is this vampire known as Brock Turner?

Imagining a vampire showing up to Wayne and Garth's studio.

"You may come in...... NOT!"

"No."

Vampires and humans are not known for enforcing laws against each other. Stake it before you get eaten rule. Eat then deny you were not invited in rule.

I'm not sure there is "binding magical power" in the food's words, and if not, it's not worth considering the food's words. Not much recent history of "magical god intervention" stopping rule breaking, and there would need to be a "magical human+vampire governing interventionist god" there to supervise all interactions.

Don't forget that a door mat that says "welcome" counts as consent.

I just realized that I'd be pretty safe from vampire infestations. I hate having visitors, and will make (up) any excuse to avoid them. "Sure, but I was about to leave to deal with a work-related emergency. I don't know when I'll be home."
...and then they can sit there alone until I see them leaving on my door camera.

I don't mind visiting others, because then I can leave when I'm spent. At home, however, it's where I expect to be left alone.

This inspired me to keep a handheld mirror near my front door, for when someone inevitably asks if they can come in, I can grab it and do a very obvious vampire check

the preferred nomenclature is "come back with a warrant".

I think it's safe to say that intent is what matters, not the technicality of communicating that intent. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intention

They don't need to they just evict you instead.

No. It is magic so they would not be able to enter partway through an answer as doing so would make it clear that the vampire knew it was really a no.

It seems to me that the wording itself is unimportant, but rather the intention. So I would imagine no