I've observed -- on a number of occasions I might add -- that certain women in the building where I work don't hold the door for someone walking behind them when entering or leaving a room.
You might ask, "Well, how can you be so sure they know there's someone behind them?"
I purposely cough to alert them to the fact. Still, they refuse to show common courtesy. And this isn't just a one-time thing: I have caught the same women doing this on multiple occasions.
On the other hand, men seem to be a little more polite. I would say they hold the door 99.9% of the time.
Why the difference between the sexes?
I think that many men are accustomed to doing the chivalrous thing and holding doors for women. You might be surprised to find that most of them will also do this for other men.
I get the sense, however, that some women think holding doors for others (especially for men) is beneath them. They might reason that women have fought so hard for equal rights and such that holding the door for someone walking behind them (especially a man) is being obsequious -- in other words, they feel they're lowering themselves.
If this is really the case, I think these women need to get off their high horse. No one is better than anyone else, whether you're a janitor, cook, or vice president. People should always treat others with the same level of respect they expect for themselves. It may just be that these women were never taught manners, or are just spoiled.
Whatever the case may be, I always hold the door for people coming in either direction. That's being polite and thoughtful. I only wish other people thought the same way.
What are your thoughts?
For earlier posts, please click here: How to Understand People
You might ask, "Well, how can you be so sure they know there's someone behind them?"
I purposely cough to alert them to the fact. Still, they refuse to show common courtesy. And this isn't just a one-time thing: I have caught the same women doing this on multiple occasions.
On the other hand, men seem to be a little more polite. I would say they hold the door 99.9% of the time.
Why the difference between the sexes?
I think that many men are accustomed to doing the chivalrous thing and holding doors for women. You might be surprised to find that most of them will also do this for other men.
I get the sense, however, that some women think holding doors for others (especially for men) is beneath them. They might reason that women have fought so hard for equal rights and such that holding the door for someone walking behind them (especially a man) is being obsequious -- in other words, they feel they're lowering themselves.
If this is really the case, I think these women need to get off their high horse. No one is better than anyone else, whether you're a janitor, cook, or vice president. People should always treat others with the same level of respect they expect for themselves. It may just be that these women were never taught manners, or are just spoiled.
Whatever the case may be, I always hold the door for people coming in either direction. That's being polite and thoughtful. I only wish other people thought the same way.
What are your thoughts?
For earlier posts, please click here: How to Understand People
Comments