Editor’s note: In this recurring column, Flyer News columnist Steve Maloney gets a chance to really give the world a piece of his mind.
Common courtesy is a lost art
these days.
As Vince Vaughn once said, “People helping people. It’s powerful stuff.”
Apparently this idea has not sunk in with an astonishingly large
population of people.
Specifically, I’m referring to “door dodgers.” Those poor souls who never bother to think that maybe there’s someone behind them when they walk through a door. Not only do they not think to hold the door, sometimes they even just slide in as the door is closing.
Newsflash! You’re not clever, agile or any other positive characteristic you think you are when you do something like that. Most likely, you’re not aware of the fact that you committed a social crime because you’re living in
your own world.
You’re inconsiderate, rude and just downright ignorant. Open your eyes and realize that there are other people around you.
There is one and only one exception to this idea. If someone glances behind them, thinks there is no one there, and lets the door close while there is actually someone coming through the door, they reserve the right to personally apologize to that person and get off the hook. Otherwise, there is no excuse for not extending a person’s right to
common courtesy.
Here’s a good rule of thumb: If the door will not close by the time the next person reaches the entrance or exit, then you should hold the door and
wait for them.
It’s a very simple procedure that merely requires an extra two or three seconds of your time.
When you’re walking in between classes, please be mindful of the fact that traffic moves much smoother when people hold the doors open for each other. People really do appreciate the simple task of holding a door, but they will hold a grudge if someone blatantly ignores the presence of others.
Thank you to all of you who have a knack for being kind to others. I hope you know that your actions do not go unnoticed, and keep up the good work.
To those who still haven’t figured out that the universe does not revolve around you, I feel sorry for you. I can only hope that one day that light bulb goes off in your head, and you start to have some pride in how you are perceived by other people.
And that my friends, is what really grinds my gears.
