From: utzoo!decvax!duke!harpo!npoiv!npois!houxm!u1100a!sdo
Newsgroups: net.social
Title: Re: Harassment?
Article-I.D.: u1100a.282
Posted: Thu Jan 20 13:00:38 1983
Received: Fri Feb  4 16:41:47 1983
References: hao.405

Could someone please clarify the door-holding issue?  There is a
difference between holding the door open until the person behind you
catches up (but going through first, yourself) and holding the door
open and letting the other person go through first.

If a man only applies the second case to women, whether or not they
are encumbered with packages, then some women can justifiably claim
that this is a form of harassment.

On the other hand, and based on personal experience, if a man doesn't
apply the second case to women, then some women claim that this is
rude.

This goes for opening car doors also.

The solutions depend on whether or not you are with the person who
is holding-the-door/having-the-door-held  for you.  The rules I am
proposing are as follows:

1.  If you are with the other person, or just know the other person,
    for both your sakes, ask what to do/expect before a misunderstanding
    develops.

2.  If you are a man, never hold the door (second definition) for a
    stranger.

3.  If you are a woman, and you don't want men holding doors for you,
    and a man does, accept it as part of the mans old fashioned behavior.
    You might even want to thank him.

4.  If you are a woman, and you want men to hold the door for you,
    and one doesn't, accept this as a man who is following rule #2.

5.  If the man holding the door is wearing a uniform and cap, it's
    his job, so thank him and give him a tip.

6.  If someone posts an article about this subject, and you disagree,
    and you see this person following you through a doorway, slam the
    door in his/her face.

			Scott Orshan
			Bell Labs Piscataway
			201-981-3064
			houxm!u1100a!sdo