Divinanza

When they knock on each door, are they knocking deliberatley expecting an answer? YES

Or are they accidentally knocking on every other door with the couch due to it's shape, and/or shape of corridor? NO

The intended recipient of the couch is not home?

Do they need an open apartment door to move the couch onto the stairs to the correct floor?

Or, do they need someone to open a door that leads to the stairs to the correct floor, that is, a door that is NOT an entrance to an apartment?

do the people open the doors?

The intended recipient of the couch is not home? NO (he is home)

Do they need an open apartment door to move the couch onto the stairs to the correct floor? YES (you are getting very close to the full story!)

Or, do they need someone to open a door that leads to the stairs to the correct floor, that is, a door that is NOT an entrance to an apartment? NO

Eveyone is getting very close, Let me post the original puzzle again to remind you all.

Two men enter a block of flats, they knock on every second door, then they swear and knock on every second door again. Then they get very annoyed! What is happening?

So, we now know they are delivering a couch, why do they swear at first and then get very annoyed?

because the people won't open the doors?
because they went the wrong way?

because the simple act of knocking causes them to drop the couch on their toes?

Originally posted by iamatiger
Eveyone is getting very close, Let me post the original puzzle again to remind you all.

Two men enter a block of flats, they knock on every second door, then they swear and knock on every second door again. Then they get very annoyed! What is happening?

So, we now know they are delivering a couch, why do they swear at first and then get very annoyed?

because the people won't open the doors? SORT OF
because they went the wrong way? NO

because the simple act of knocking causes them to drop the couch on their toes? GOOD ONE! BUT NO

Originally posted by The Plumber
They went to all the trouble to get the couch to the right apartment, and for some reason were unable to complete the delivery - either there was a problem and the intended recipient refused to accept it, or they couldn't physically get it into the apartment. They then had to retrace their steps back out of the building with the couch.

Originally posted by iamatiger
They went to all the trouble to get the couch to the right apartment HMM, SORT OF

and for some reason were unable to complete the delivery YES...

either there was a problem and the intended recipient refused to accept it, or they co ...[text shortened]... th the couch. YES. BUT WHY DID THEY GET REALLY ANGRY AT THE END?

You are all so close, Pawn curry isn't quite right - should I tell you?

(Pawn curry and Orefeo have to vote - they are the closest)