Do you hold doors open for people?

Question

It's often mentioned that women dissaprove of men holding doors open for them, it's also mentioned that dissabled people see it as an insult as they are capable of doing it without help.

Any thoughts on this? It's a pretty straightforward polite thing to do and personally I think people in general need a bit more consideration of others.

Answer 1

I come from the south where there is a high level of hospitality. My husband opens the door for me every time I get into the car, I have never had to ask him to do so. I regard myself as a lady, and think that doors should be held open for me by men.

and yes, I will hold open the door for anyone because it is the polite thing to do. I think there is a great deficit in teaching manners as they were taught to our parents and grandparents.

My daughters will be raised to be "southern belles" just as I was.

Answer 2

Absolutely. I have never had a woman, a man or a disabled person appear to be insulted by my act of courtesy. If a woman mentions it I always tell her that my grandmother would turn over in her grave if I didn't behave the way she raised me.

I do it a bit differently for able bodied men than women or disabled people. For disabled people, I open or hold the door so they may have the easiest access. I usually greet them in some manner that does not have anything to do with the fact I am helping them.

With men, I will either pass through the door, and then hold it, or if it is secured, I will open the door so they don't have to unlock it.

With women, I always position myself so that when she passes me she thanks me about the same time I start to check out her butt!

Answer 3

Yes, but I believe in courtesy, not chivalry.

It is just the polite thing to do. However It is annoying when men make a big show of opening a door for a woman and act as if the woman should feel privileged Women who expect doors to be opened for them must have a serious princess complex! Example, I am a gay woman and out of affection I do do things for girls I'm seeing, like open doors and I like to pay for stuff, but only if the girl I am with is comfortable and happy to indulge me in this. If I was seeing a girl who expected me to do these things they'd get dumped pretty quick!
You shouldn't only show politeness to certain types of people, you should show it to everyone. As for people with disabilities, I don't think they should get their pants in a twist over people showing politeness, they'd soon complain if they were ignored or knocked over by an impolite person in a hurry!

Answer 4

I always hold doors open and am sure to say thankyou when someone holds the door open for me, especially if it is a man as I've been told that some men think they offend women if they offer a helping hand. I would never be offended. It is so nice to meet a gentleman with good manners.

Answer 5

I hold the door open for anyone. I do it as a courtesy, not to show that the person is incapable of doing it. I usually smile and greet them in some way. I do not sprint half a block in order to open the door for someone. If I arrive at the door at about the same time as others, then holding the door open is one of those random acts of kindness our society needs to experience more often.


Good luck!

Will D
Enterprise AL
http://www.notagz.com

Answer 6

I hold doors open for people all the time, irrespective of their sex or ability. I think it's a polite thing to do. Occasionally, I've had a feminist remark that they found it offensive, to which I replied that I expect Women to hold the door for men too as it's out of politeness not gender that I hold a door. The only response was a smile.

Another acquaintance I know uses a wheelchair, and on occasion I've opened the door for her whilst she enters, and on other occasions she's held the door for me from her wheelchair whilst I enter. It's a courtesy thing, not a reflection on the other person's ability or gender.

Often, people hold the door for me, and I thank them for it as I'm grateful for their consideration. I happen to be male, so I guess they don't do it because of my gender and I'm simply grateful that they extend the courtesy to me.

Answer 7

I'm female and I hold doors open for people, allow others to alight before I board public transport, give up train/bus seats for the elderly ,less physically able people and pregnant women. I also sit my daughter on my knee to make way for adult passangers as she is six years old and pays a reduced fare!

We seem to live in a thug culture where most people are nasty and inconsiderate. We all need to make a real effort to be more polite to each other, teenagers especially ! Even the ones from 'public' schools and as for chavs (or trailer trash if you happen to be American.) - have you got a spare couple of days?

Answer 8

Always.

I have yet to encounter anyone taking offense because I am holding a door for him or her. OTOH, I find it rude when people walk right past without a nod or smile or thank-you. Same thing when I'm driving and have stopped or slowed to let someone into the line of trafic.

It's common courtesy. Unfortunately in today's world--at least in my part of the US, it seems there's an awful lot more more "UNcommon courtesy" around.

Answer 9

I personally appreciate it when a man holds the door open for me and I have not only taught my boys to do it, but make a point of waiting for them and giving positive reinforcement when they do. we now live in the southern U.S. and i have found that men do it more often here than they did in the northern state we moved from. I don't see it as an offense, I take it as a courtesy.

Answer 10

I always hold doors open doesn't have to be disable but will go out of the way for that. Heck I open the door for the dog 50 times a day lol:-)