holding doors
Letting others through
Holding doors is the practice of keeping a door open for someone approaching or following behind you.
The gesture is a small social courtesy, especially common when entering buildings: He was always holding doors for people at the office.
Failing to hold the door when someone is close behind can feel rude, while holding it from too far away creates an awkward obligation to hurry.
- courtesyRespectful, considerate behavior
- common courtesyExpected polite behavior
- politeShowing good manners
- good mannersSocially acceptable conduct
- gentlemanCourteous, honorable man
chivalry · entrance · threshold · elevator · manners · gesture · kindness · waiting · etiquette · social norms · propping · handle · considerate · opening · gracious · strangers · public spaces · awkward
- kind actshelping, aiding, assisting, donating, sharing
- random kindnesspaying it forward, giving directions, shoveling snow, mowing lawns, baking cookies
- unwritten rulespersonal space, eye contact, tipping, queue jumping, table manners
- social obligationscourtesy, politeness, greeting, obligation, thank you
- passenger behaviorboarding, exiting, sitting, standing, waiting
- Southern hospitalitywarm welcome, welcome, friendliness, neighborliness, good neighbor