when i was a regular pioneer ( mid 60's) i used to stop off and knock a door to start my time--knock softly and dont hang around. My time clock stopped when i got home. So that could be 8 hours--or 4 if half a day. In that time it could be playing pin ball machines in a coffee bar..or ten pin bowling. Shopping. Visiting elderly members of the congregation--usually around lunchtime.
If i needed to reach the magazine quota--i would hit the doors around 5 pm--as people were getting home from work. No long chat--sell 2 mags and away. Mag and book sales were quite profitable,-paid the petrol in my car. The only bible studies i conducted were with young unbaptised kids in the congregation--whilst their mum cooked dinner.