>_< Hold the Door.

I know what you're thinking. This is probably going to be about something else. Just because the title says something about holding doors, doesn't mean this is going to be a blog about holding doors. Oh wait, its totally a blog about holding doors. It is after all a pretty serious issue in society today. I think we just need to clear up what needs to be done when holding the doors for someone, and also in the other spectrum where a door is being held for you. Theres a fair amount of mystery to tackle on the subject, and it certainly is relatable to some extent. Why, the door was held for me just this morning! Seriously, we can do this. I promise it'll be fun, or at the very least insightful.

Let's start with the basics. 1 door. 2 people. You're walking behind someone as you approach a door. Both of you are aware of each others presence, which completely puts the whole situation in motion. The stranger in front (generally speaking) is probably going to hold the door for you. As that time approaches, everything goes rather swimmingly, as the person in front PULLS the door open, walks through the door, keeps the arm extended behind him as you catch the door and say thanks. They say something along the lines of "you're welcome," "yup," "not problem," etc. You both continue on your separate ways. I believe that's the most common situation for door holding. Incredibly informal, but the good deed has been done. Make sure to properly thank the person, loud enough so they can hear you. That's all. Variations? What if the person decided to pull the door open FOR you, instead of walking straight through? You owe this person a thank you. They are now a couple steps behind schedule and they have you to blame for it. Make sure to sound sincere, smile, and keep eye contact.

Time to mix it up. You're in front now. The door will be PULLED. I believe the impact is much better when you open the door for someone, instead of walking through and holding it open from behind. It really depends where you are. Malls, schools, and other casual locations can probably withstand the walking through approach. Work, business buildings, hotels, and the like would probably call for you stepping aside and opening the door for the person behind you. Always look like you want to do it, not because you've been trapped into this awkward social situation. Also, remember that you're doing this out of your own volition, so don't expect a thank you or any type of reward. Most likely you'll get one, but don't be pissed that you don't. You didn't have to open the door, but you did it because you're an upstanding citizen.

I keep capitalizing PULLED because some doors, as most of you know, can be pushed. The game changes are slight in this variable. If a person in front PUSHES the door open, a couple situations may be set into motion. Most likely, they will quickly asses the distance between both parties (and we'll get more into that in a bit) and will either: continue to hold the door for you if the distance is medium or far... OR they will apply an excessive amount of force so that the door swings more open and will most likely still be in an acceptable position for you to also go through. It goes without saying that the latter situation doesn't need a thank you. Like previous situations, incredibly informal. Had said person held said door for you while still facing the direction he was going, the same rules would apply as a PULLED door. If you're leading, your location can determine the appropriate action. Always hold the door in a more formal place. Also, old people. If you truly want to get fancy on a PUSHED door, you can always hold the door with your back, and allow the person behind you to walk on by. Maintain a genuine smile and eye contact and be on your way. Also, high five.

Fancy time. 2 people. 2 doors. I'm talking one right after the other. This is a two step process. You can refer to our previous situations for the first door, all rules apply. The second door. This is where it gets really awkward. I feel that people don't seem to know how to go about the second door. Here are some IF/THEN situations. If you held the door the first time around, then anything can happen to the second door. You are no longer in control of the situation after that point. If person held the second door as a return of favor, kindly thank him and share a small chortle and go about your way. If the door was held for you the first time, it is customary to hold the second door for them. Easy as that. I think you should just switch roles. We assume that these doors were held in a way that the roles would be switched the next time around. What if the first time around the door was held so that the person in the lead were to stay in the lead? The second door is now in the same control. Honestly, play that by ear. If you didn't thank the person the first time, make sure to do so the second time. I think it's really awkward thanking a person twice.

dont be creepy.

Let's get into distance. For visual enhancements please refer to the picture above. All the previous scenarios involve both parties being relatively close to each other. "Hold  the door" type distance. Please don't force people into an awkward walk/run if you hold the door for someone who is about 20-30 feet away from you. I know you've been in the situation, it's one of the most awkward feelings to start to run only to immediately go at a speed that's kind of the same as your walking speed, but only it looks like you're attempting to gratefully acknowledge the now only half good deed a stranger has done for you.

CURVE BALL! What about a rotating door? Well, if it's automatic, then no work is necessary. Just watch out. Unless theres obvious room for two, there isn't. If it's a manual, don't push too fast. In fact, you'll find that if done right, theres probably going to be some equal force for both parties and the door should move easily.

Obviously there's no set rule. We are free to do whatever we want and if thats the case you might as well just not hold the door for anyone anymore. Jerk.

Also, I can't believe I just wrote a blog about this.

ta ta kids