There's an important distinction between holding the door behind you so the next person can grab it and holding the door chivalrous gentleman style so the person can enter before you.  The latter is just weird unless they are old, infirm, or someone you know (or want to know).  Holding the door behind you should be gauged by time, which rules out variables of distance and speed - if you have to wait longer than maybe two seconds, just let the door go.  Generally, if someone does more than an instantaneous handoff, I respond with a brisk thanks.  If they do the awkward wait, I oblige them with a thank you.  If they are an attractive female, I turn into cartoon wolf, stare at their ass and howl because I am a sexist.

What a silly article.  One needs to use some common sense when holding a door for someone, to avoid awkwardness, but that isn't a reason to never do it... just be aware.

I like it when somebody holds a door for me, in a non-awkward way, and I feel good when I can do the same for other people.  If I end up committing an awkwardness, I feel bad, and this causes me to be more careful in the future.  But it all pretty much works out.

Door holding usually isn't "important", but It's one of those little chances one gets to simply show kindness to strangers without seeming creepy or presumptious, and I think there's real value in that.

It really depends on the distance and how fast the said person is walking. The other day a person was walking VERY slow and I was about to leave but I toughed it out

Replace all hinge doors with revolving doors.  Problem solved.  Can't get through the door without pushing it yourself and you're not likely to continue revolving the door for the person behind you. Plus they save on energy costs. Win-win.

..

this is grounds for a new metaphysics.

I don't know.  It's such a case-by-case thing.  First, I agree completely with the drawing above.  If someone is right behind you it's rude not to hold the door.  But if you stand there and hold it, it makes me feel like I have to hurry up now to get to the door, and I realize you meant well, but well, maybe that's not a good idea.  Unless you're doing it for someone behind you who is injured, or very old, etc.  

Anyway, holding a door is a courtesy so basic I don't really expect a thank you for it.  I never call out "you're welcome."  But I do admit I like it when someone says thank you.  I like the exchange, it's not about the thank you exactly, it's the brief acknowledgment that we're all getting through this life together, as best we can.

I agree with most of what you said but I do think it's rude when someone just walks through without saying anything. please acknowledge the person who is holding the door open for you! just walking through is SO rude in my opinion. a little 'thank you' goes a long way :)

holding the door is a common curtesy, nothing more. it's not about you or your ass, get over yourselves.  i say bless you when someone sneezes. i bet you think i'm an asshole for doing that too. 

haha totally agree! there may be some creeps that only do it to see girls, but the majority are just holding the door to be kind, so i don't get why this is even a debate. some people are so effed up.

It's usually because they had some bad experience and they're now so jaded that they see the forest for that one tree.

Really kind of sad, I'd feel sorry for them if they weren't so rabidly assholic about it all.

/end scene

Fuck you all I'm a nice person.

Whine whine whine whine close door open door hold the door whine whine whine.

Get over it.

Yes, and guys stop doing it just to look at our rear ends, it's all too obvious sometimes. 

This gay male couldn't be less interested in your ass (I can see better ones on stage at Splash) - I just believe in trying to be nice once in a while.  What the hell is it with all these comments bitching that someone would try to be polite?  Seriously?

It's NYC in general.  The attitude is supposed to be "Look out for yourself and screw everyone else". 

That mindset doesn't allow for an act of kindness and completely discombobulates the average native.  And they respond the only way they know how - "if  someone's nice they're just trying to get something from me". 

 Cause guys in NYC have a really hard time finding bottoms to look at?

i did the second one today. now i'm ashamed!

I am able bodied, not infirm, and walking at my own pace, with hands free.  I don't need to have a social relationship with someone who needs to appear polite by waiting at the door for me.  You want to hold it, and break the flow, fine but I will not reward unnecessary actions with a BS thank you.  I can handle the door, and if I get offended, its my problem not yours.  And as for the sarcastic 'You're Welcome' types, who the fuck are you to judge me?  When you do that, you just proved that you are not worthy of being thanked, for now you have showed that you were not interested in being nice, but merely dissapointed that someone failed to acknowledge you in the expected manner.  You opened the door for yourself, I happened to slip through behind you, yet you scowl and mutter because I didnt address you?  Fuck you very much.