What are the rules for etiquette when you are walking behind someone at slow pace and they are holding the door open for you? Do you speed up so that they do not have to hold the door open any longer, or do you simply tell them that they do not have to hold the door? I always feel awkward in this social setting.
2006-11-20 09:13:41 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
I always hold the door open for people. I think it's a way of showing your respect to that person.
I believe you should speed up to get to the door, it's just returning the politeness. Though I'm sure the person wouldn't mind if you walked at normal pace. They wouldn't be holding the door if they were in a rush!
2006-11-20 09:23:39 · answer #1 · answered by Alexis 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you are following behind them, it's probably pretty obvious that you are headed through the same door. If the holder was in a big hurry, they would have let the door close, so I would hurry up a bit (not at a run, of course) and get to the door without unnecessary delay.
and always thank the holder for the extended courtesy.
In my case, I usually have to rescue the door holder because the person they are holding the door for is my 96 yr old mom who uses a walker. She doesn't know the meaning of hurry!. those poor people trying to extend a courtesy have no idea what they offered into with her.......lol.
2006-11-20 16:13:45 · answer #2 · answered by momwithabat 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've been there myself !! It is very awkward but because they are making the effort of holding the door open for me, then I make the effort to speed up so I don't keep them hanging about longer then necessary!
2006-11-20 10:55:06 · answer #3 · answered by North London Lady! 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
most of the time, I will acknowledge the fact that they are holding the door, and depending on how close I am, I may speed up or say thanks anyways.
so few people hold doors anymore (even if your are pregnant with a bunch of kids or old, or whatever) that I like to make a big deal about saying thank you when someone does.
2006-11-20 09:16:58 · answer #4 · answered by WUDDALIFE 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Some years ago I was berated by a female teacher of mine for holding the door open for her and allowing her to walk ahead of me. She let me know, in strong terms, that she regarded this as a sexist act. I remain, however, an unrepentant door-holder. I just consider it an act of good manners regardless of the sex of the person I am offering this gesture to. As such, I always appreciate the reciprocal door-holder.......and usually walk just a bit more briskly myself. Yeah, it's a silly, awkward position to be in, but I am such a sap myself I tend to acknowledge any act of kindness.
2006-11-20 09:32:23 · answer #5 · answered by Mark 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'll have to agree with Dr Obvious on this one. Its actually a common problem that people just dont have the manners to even hold the door open for someone.
I was once leaving a store with my arms full. As I struggled to open the door to leave, a woman sqeezed in to pass me (as if i held it open for her) as she came in. The rudeness of some people are overwhelming.
2006-11-20 09:29:08 · answer #6 · answered by JC 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hurry up and get to the door and say thank you. If you can't hurry, let the person off the hook by saying "thank you - I'll get it." If they continue to hold the door it's understood they don't mind waiting.
2006-11-20 09:16:02 · answer #7 · answered by Dr. Obvious 4 · 4⤊ 0⤋
When someone does that for me, I usually speed up.
2006-11-20 10:54:19 · answer #8 · answered by Caleb 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I usually speed up so that they will feel they have been nice for a reason.
2006-11-20 09:16:28 · answer #9 · answered by teel2624 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You speed up then thank the person very loudly.
2006-11-20 09:16:51 · answer #10 · answered by Ballet♥on Broadway™ 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋