-by Anthony Pittman
A Simple “Thank You” Would Do
Sometimes I wonder if I overreact to something I believe happens too often. That said, it happened again.
It’s a simple act of courtesy. You pause just long enough to hold a door open for someone a few steps behind you. You expect a quick “thank you” or at least a nod of the head. But sometimes, that acknowledgment never comes. That’s when I shake my head in disgust.
My wife and I were recently on a night out to a movie theater when I held the door open for her. Niccole, as she always does, said “Thanks, babe.”
Just a few steps behind was a group of five. Four women and a man. I stayed in place, still holding the door open. Three women gave me a smiling “Thank you” while one was too busy talking to one of the others to notice I was there. I didn’t have a problem with her. My issue came with the guy pulling up the rear.
In all fairness, the man was chatting away on his phone. But he recognized I was holding the door for the group. There was no acknowledgment of the gesture with a “Thank you,” a thumbs up, a head nod, or a wink. (On second thought, I’m glad he didn’t wink).
That’s when I said, “I’ll say it for you. Thank you!”
At that point, he suddenly had the time to move the phone off his ear, turn around and say, “Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t see you.”
Liar! You saw me.
I won’t go into some believing they’re privileged. That will have to be for another day. But that was the first thought that came to mind. Maybe that thought directed toward the dude on his phone was unfair? But experiences like that have become too common for my taste. Who wants to be the guy who swings a door open only for himself while little old ladies or dads holding a child are a few paces behind? Not me. I have always been one to hold a door for women. I don’t want to change that, but I’m getting frustrated with the lack of appreciation.
I do not have any stats to prove my point, but it seems like the younger crowd is most guilty in these cases. Darn, am I starting to sound like the “Hey you kids, get off my lawn” guy?
When I shared experiences like this with a friend a few years ago, he said the person who does not say thank you may be consumed by their worries or distractions. Maybe they are lost in their thoughts?
Valid points. But speaking on behalf of door holders all over the world, we are not looking for cartwheels of appreciation. A simple “Thank you” will do. Are we asking for too much?
