Opening doors for others: what if there's a line of handicapped/elderly behind you?

[Eleanor_of_Aquitaine]

@wolfman

Then I realize the guy behind me was 60 feet behind me, and he is a slow moving old guy with a cane. He has an ETA of 30-45 seconds. But I’ve turned and made eye contact. I can’t just jump through the door then like “Sorry old man not quick enough, you lost your chance”. So I have to hold it. And he uncomfortably tries to walk faster, but it’s not much of an option. So then I start miming some weak pretense of why I’m standing there holding the door for reasons than have nothing to do with him; fumbling through my pocket mumbling “Where the hell is my phone, it was here a minute ago” And then finally triumphantly producing my phone and looking through the menus, as though having the door open the whole time is a key part of the procedure, and occasionaling random studying of things both inside and outside of the door.

That’s really funny.

I would stand there like a doorman for five minutes. But if any of those elderly or handicapped people were men, we might just arrive at the classic southern door-holding impasse, which happens when there is confusion over the order of precedence for those who are female, elderly, handicapped or burdened. Like, does a young man in a wheelchair hold the door for an elderly lady with a baby stroller, or vice-versa?

[Shagnasty]

I almost always hold the door open for people. However, this would be the time to wait until the first wheelchair is almost to the door, scream “Psyche!”, and close it while laughing.

[Sunspace]

I’d probably be somewhat embarrassed at being the centre of attention, but I’d do it. Most of the time, however, I’m in a mixed group of people who just got off the train, or whatever, so it’s not a problem.

In related news, I helped a lady get off the Prince Edward bus a week or so ago. She had a large wheelie suitcase, and I just picked it up by the handle with one had, and manoeuvred it around the corner past the driver and down the bus steps (it was an older high-floor bus) to the sidewalk. I got a ‘Thank you, you’re so strong!’ for that. These workouts are helping out!

[Skald_the_Rhymer]

@What Exit?

Good point. I hope that is my biggest disagreement of the day. Besides, it turns out not to even be a disagreement.

Sorry, I never watch the show, so I guess I whooshed myself. It just sounded so old fashion and judgmental to me that I reacted.

Jim

Oh, I’d say it was a disagreement, even if not a terribly big one. I DO believe that there are certain ways that men, specifically, out to behave, though I was being flippant with me “That’s what men do” phrasing. Some other time I’ll start a “guy rules” thread.

[Sunspace]

@Skald the Rhymer

Oh, I’d say it was a disagreement, even if not a terribly big one. I DO believe that there are certain ways that men, specifically, out to behave, though I was being flippant with me “That’s what men do” phrasing. Some other time I’ll start a “guy rules” thread.

Actually, Skald, that might be an interesting thread. What rules do we believe we have to live by?

[Skald_the_Rhymer]

@Sunspace

Actually, Skald, that might be an interesting thread. What rules do we believe we have to live by?

Ask and ye shall receive. Seek, and ye shall find. Knock, and the old guy next door will say, “Get off my lawn, punk!”

[Frosted_Glass]

@Sunspace

In related news, I helped a lady get off the Prince Edward bus a week or so ago. She had a large wheelie suitcase, and I just picked it up by the handle with one had, and manoeuvred it around the corner past the driver and down the bus steps (it was an older high-floor bus) to the sidewalk. I got a ‘Thank you, you’re so strong!’ for that. These workouts are helping out!

It’s nice when that actually works out well but I am not as lucky. I just flew home for the weekend the other day and I was at the baggage claim waiting for my suitcase to show up when I noticed a lady struggling with her luggage. I walked over and attempted to lift the bag off the carousel with one hand quite unsuccessfully. The bag was massive and it took me a second try with two hands. She was grateful though and my pride did not take too big of a hit.

[Asimovian]

@wolfman

I always do this

I’m distracted pretty much in anything I do, and often I am half aware of someone behind me. So I open the door and stand to the side like gramma taught me.

Then I realize the guy behind me was 60 feet behind me, and he is a slow moving old guy with a cane. He has an ETA of 30-45 seconds. But I’ve turned and made eye contact. I can’t just jump through the door then like “Sorry old man not quick enough, you lost your chance”. So I have to hold it. And he uncomfortably tries to walk faster, but it’s not much of an option. So then I start miming some weak pretense of why I’m standing there holding the door for reasons than have nothing to do with him; fumbling through my pocket mumbling “Where the hell is my phone, it was here a minute ago” And then finally triumphantly producing my phone and looking through the menus, as though having the door open the whole time is a key part of the procedure, and occasionaling random studying of things both inside and outside of the door.

I think you and I are related. And I have had many friends rib me about not collecting tips. I’ll hold the door open for a friend, and then they’ll continue on, holding a conversation with the imaginary me while the real me is still standing at the door, holding it open for a multitude of strangers because I don’t want to let the door go in anyone’s face.

[ToeJam]

Is there a Button I can push first?

But yeah, I’m usually early and rarely in a hurry to get somewhere-
So I’ll just hold the door open and Daydream.

[Rick]

@Skald the Rhymer

Unless I were in such a rush that I simply could not be late, I’d hold the door. It’s what men do.

I agree.

[Kalhoun]

@Cyn

I can’t imagine the line of elderly snaking around the block with no end in sight, as if they are waiting for a rock concert or Miley Cyrus tickets…who are we imagining these people are in line for?
I’d hold the door even if it meant I’d be the last to get in to see the Lawrence Welk Reunion Tour.

I’ve seen them arrive by the busload just to go shopping at Woodfield Mall.

I’d hold the door.

[missbunny]

I’d just stand there and hold it open. I think any annoyance at realizing what I just got myself into would be mitigated by helping out a bunch of people who needed it, and who only really took a few minutes out of my life.

I can’t think of ANY important event the lateness of which cannot be explained and forgiven by saying, “I’m sorry, I was holding the door open for a busload of handicapped elderly people and I couldn’t just shut it in someone’s face and walk away.”

[Zsofia]

@jacquilynne

This can sort of be an issue if a large crowd is gathering for a concert or an event that’s just opened or similar. I find the next person in line who is capable of at least holding the door for themselves, kind of make eye contact with them in a way that conveys, ‘I’m leaving when you get here’ and pass the door off to them to hold for a bit.

This.

I did once make the enormous mistake of holding a door in Reno when a bus pulled up full of Ancient Ones. That took a while.