h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Having just followed someone through 5 doors I noticed my 'cheers' and 'thanks' getting lower and lower in volume until, by the 5th door I doubt the person I was following heard me.

I also note that I tend to change the expression of thanks - one time it's 'thanks', then maybe 'cheers' or just 'ta'.

BTW, this is a person I did not know, different if you know them of course. And it assumes they hold the door open for you!

After about the second one I think I'd stick with a wry smile, the fourth I'd aim for an amused 'isn't this a ridiculously british situation to be in' laugh intended to be shared, possibly a touch of light eye contact with the laugh. If this is taken up, an outright giggle may become appropriate by the fifth door followded by a grin and possibly a wave when you finally part ways if they are paying any attention to you...

I like sharing my percieved humour in these situations though...

I would remain silent until you pass through the final door before you part ways, and then enunciate clearly "thank you very much, kind sir".

RF

Sounds like you put in a textbook performance to me - I'm sure etiquette varies around the world, but I reckon the answer is, of course, NEVER (regardless of whether they hold the door open or not)!

What we really need though, is a list of further alternatives to 'thanks' for situations where there are more than five doors - as I think we used to when leaving our old building, Bush House.

(It is of course also customary to smile and laugh as you get to around door three, in order that you can both acknowledge the hilarity and unexpected nature of the situation/shared existential angst).

Aren't you legally married by the time you get to door five?

Only in Norfolk and certain areas of wales SWL...

It's almost as bad a situation as the 'After you...No, after you...No, No, after *you*' conversations.

Situations where a trail of people from both sides of the door arrive at it at the same time can cause an etiquette reality implosion as no one knows what to say, who to say it to and in what order they should address the various people. Never mind who should actually go through the door!

A firm forward step and a sweeping slightly apologetic smile usually sorts that out...

Or shouting 'Age before beauty!' and taking a step back...

I'd have stopped to untie and retie my shoelaces by door 3, and if they waited for me, I'd have hidden behind the pot plant before door 4.

I think that's the right answer, Icy.

But speaking of door etiquette - we had some would-be professors applying for an open position at our Uni recently, and we, that is, the student group taking them aside and interviewing them privately passed up a recommendation that one not be hired solely because of her way of going through doors.

We have two double doors leading out of the building the main lecture hall is in. I held open the first one for her, she went through, opened the second one herself, went through, and let it drop shut in my face... If that's how she feels about students, no thanks!

Attention to detail! Nice!

Actually, being British, wouldn't you be apologising to them by door 3?

Either that or spray graffiti on it.

Contempt for students is seen as a boon amongst professors, they'll probably hire her because of that.


I would probably have overtaken them and returned the favour and then accelerated away...

Another question is:

How far behind do they have to be before you just let it close and let them open it themself?

I hate it when someone about 30 seconds ahead of you up the corridor holds the door open for you forcing you to run to get there, because otherwise they have to wait an absurd amount of time.

Just go through the damn thing, I am capable of opening it myself.

42

I was waiting for that Pierce Glad to see hootoo did not dissappoint!

it has been written, has it not?

>> Glad to see hootoo did not dissappoint! <<

It never do!
Why there was even an italic up there who answered the question "How many..." with the answer "Never", thus keeping up the classic h2g2 tradition of mixing numerical concepts with infinite improbabilities.

In Canada, owing to our cold climate, most public buildings and retail outlets have a standard two door system, a large vestibule area not unlike an air-lock where it is usually physically impossible for one person to keep both doors open simultaneously allowing cold air to enter directly.

Standard practice is to open the first and step thru while holding it open behind you for the next person following. Then step forward and open the second just as a doorman would inviting them to step thru the second door before you.

A five door system boggles my mind! Like a light sensitive diode faced with too many choices I would probably just retreat.


~jwf~

If the doors of perception were cleansed every thing would appear to man as it is, infinite. For man has closed himself up, till he sees all things through narrow chinks of his cavern.