Is it normal to hold the door open for the person behind you?

Because that's what I do but it's not always done for me so I might be abnormal.

I will hold the door open for any stranger entering the building if I've passed through the entrance first and they're coming in behind me. I think it's rude to let it slam in their face. When someone does it for me, I give them a quick smile and a "thanks".

Voting Results
98% Normal
Based on 146 votes (143 yes)
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Comments ( 40 )
  • As long as they are not more than 10 steps behind you. If they are say like 25 feet away, then they think they need to walk quicker. That just makes it awkward.

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    • lukeuser

      I know, sometimes I just don't know what to do!

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      • Don't make em walk fast, otherwise it is nice to hold it.

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        • lukeuser

          Sometimes I think they're too far behind, but when they reach the door it is still swinging backwards, which is even worse than it being closed!

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          • It happens.

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    • poy

      theres a video like that in youtube! :) everyone walks quicker hahah

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  • shuggy-chan

    I always get a line of people and get trapped holding the door forever

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    • Me too! And I think "If I worked here I would have just made 20 cents" *Finds penny on ground* "Okay where's the 19 other cents?" *looks around building in bushes and sh^t*

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  • I always hold the door for people. If I see someone with a child(ren) (usually female), and would have difficulty opening the door, If I am close enough, even if I'm sitting down eating in a food place, I will get up and open the door for them.

    It's good manners.

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  • I usually slam the door shut, even if the person is right behind me. Then I jam my foot in at the bottom so it cant be re-opened, while the person tries to struggle and often times starts yelling "what the hell is wrong with you, open this door now!"

    I then make a very convincing scared look come on my face and I point behind them, when they turn around to look to make sure they arent about to die or something, I lock the door.

    Problem solved.

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    • charli.m

      I need to see this. I'm laughing on the train. Damn you ;)

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  • sitavola

    Actions like holding the door open create goodwill. Even if some people don't hold the door for you, rise above their petty selfishness.

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  • emilydoll

    Indeed :)

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  • Legion

    I always do this. Im glad to see when others hold the door for people as well.

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  • thanksforthefreecar

    Yes, it's just being polite... but if they are 10 feet behind me, I don't bother.

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    • topper33

      thats right

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  • It's so strange to me that people observe niceties like this but when being kind means putting your neck on the line for another, most won't do it.

    Yes, I open the door for others. I'm a good person like that.

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  • o_0

    thats kinda normal and i think its one of the manners ...!! good deed ..!! i do the same..

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  • dappled

    I don't do this. Not because I'm rude but because I shouldn't. Most of the doors I go through are either operated hydraulically by push-button, need a swipe card, or a pin number (including where I live). So, mostly for security's sake, I don't let anyone through on my swipe or code.

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    • NeuroNeptunian

      And we security guards thank you :D

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      • dappled

        I only do it in the hope you'll flap your cape at me and make me giggle. :P

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    • Allistalla

      Where do you live? You are saying you have no reguluar doors in your city/town?

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      • dappled

        There are no regular doors in either my work building, my home, or anywhere I shop. Oh, apart from one shop but I don't go there any more because I don't smoke any more. I never go out of the city and most places have sliding doors. I'm sure I do open a door now and again but it's rare.

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      • chewy

        It's been awhile.

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  • Terence_the_viking

    is what gentle ben does

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  • Ldizzy1234

    Of course its normal! Especially if you're a friendly person. The people who don't bother to do it are usually not the most courteous people to come by.

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  • Imposturously_yours

    I always do this as well. Although it's common for us, but some countries I've been to just don't do it at all.

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  • squirelhunter

    I do this alot. But I hate it when you misjudged how far they are away from you so you end up waiting for them. Or you hold the door open and there not even planning on entering that door.

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  • NeuroNeptunian

    Yeah, it's kind of a social courtesy.

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  • bananaface

    Of course this is normal. I do this, and I think a lot of people do too.

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  • DannyKanes

    I always do this :)

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  • dirtybirdy

    I always hold the door for people

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  • ginz

    she*

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  • ginz

    hahaha this reminded me of long ago in this shopping mall with double doors made of glass which are pretty heavy to push, so 1 time there was an old woman behind me 10 feet maybe and I held the door for her and waited and when she arrived he just opened the other door and went in and I was standin there like wtf awkward much

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  • Shackleford96

    Yes, and not everyone does it, but I try to though. It's polite. Though, I have had a few women almost get offended with me for no reason simply because I held the door for them.

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    • myboyfriendsbitch

      Lol. They probably think you're doing it to check out the goods!

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      • Shackleford96

        I probably was XD

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  • sajalsharma456

    Its a kind and a nice thing to do.. I feel proud while commenting to such a nice post. I thank you for doing this.
    Wish you the nicest for your life. ;)

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  • Are you Mary Tyler Moore,in real life?

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  • Allistalla

    This it called having manners. However based on what society has become manners has become very rare yes. It is what you are suppose to do but many do not anymore.

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