What’s wrong with holding the door open for somebody?
I wish I had a dollar for every time I had the door was “slammed” in my face by the person entering the side door of my office building. It’s a pretty cool building, by the way, the old Atlanta Biltmore Hotel and Apartments, built in 1925 by William Candler, son of the famous Coca-Cola executive Asa Candler.
And, I don’t think these people are being deliberately rude. I believe they’re just not thinking about the world around them, or the people next to them, or behind them. They’re listening to their music or podcast or absorbed by the next cute cat video on their Instagram feed.
Does that make it better or worse? Well, neither probably. What is concerning is this lack of awareness. People cocooned in their own world and an apparent lack of consideration for others. Wouldn’t it feel like a better world if we all opened our eyes and our ears to the world around us and started thinking about how our actions can impact others.
When I was first started in sales someone gave me some advice.
1) Be remembered.
2) Be remembered for the right reasons.
I’ve carried this advice with me throughout my career and while I’ve never been perfect – far from it, it’s held me in good stead. Being respectful, polite and having good manners were instilled into me by my parents, so making a conscious effort to display this in business was easy. However, it is one of the things I’d like to be remembered for, in a positive way of course.
“Manners maketh man.” Or, let’s give that a 21st century update, “Manners maketh the person.” This saying was (apparently) first coined by an Eton housemaster back in the 14th century. However, it’s as true today as it was then. Even in this fast-paced, tech-centric world we live in. The reality is that good manners will make you feel comfortable in whatever company you’re in; colleagues, friends or royalty.
We could all become more aware of the people and things around us and anticipate how we fit into the steady stream of life. Maybe the next time you’re walking through a door have a quick look behind you and see if there’s anyone there. If there is, hold the door open. You’ll feel better and they’ll think you’re a nice person.
And, that’s not a bad thing.
Business Development Manager
5 年I go out of my way to hold the door open for people. They are sometimes surprised but I hope it rubs off on them to have respect and courtesy for others. It’s a good thing!
Retired Insurance Executive
5 年Gordon, 'Manners Mayketh Man' is the motto of William of Wykeham who was Bishop of Winchester and Chancellor of England. He founded New College Oxford in 1379 and Winchester College in 1382. His main purpose then was to educate more priests, since there had been great loss of life among the priesthood as a result of the Black Death. (Hopefully not a parallel with today's Covid 19, but a reminder nonetheless that life goes on!) There are a number of meanings to the motto. Rather than simply alluding to politeness, it is understood to allude to the fact that you are what you make yourself through your education and efforts in life rather than the station to which you were born. Still, I do agree with your point that door slammers are highly annoying.