DEAR EDITOR:

It is clear that many people frequently forget we do indeed live in a society and are not in a situation where our own carelessness is only disruptive to ourselves. A prime example of such disruption is easily observable in the regression of door holding in this country.

Such a menial task should not be in need of re-examination, and yet here we are. There are several problems with door holding today and I believe they can be easily summarized in the following categories: ingratitude, distance and door specifications.

In answering the first, I will be very straightforward and say thank you. Only a conceited dolt would omit what is societally expected and morally required. If a door is held for you, it is necessary and proper to express gratitude, unlike that of some random person I encountered recently that not only didn’t grab the door as I held it open but also neither said thank you nor acknowledged my existence. Therefore, I felt it fitting to acknowledge his existence with a not-so-surreptitious gesture of aggravation.

The only time I should think a thank you is not warranted is if the person makes you do the little jog to get to the door. Oh, how I hate the little jog, a result of excessive distance in door holding. In this case unsolicited exertion is inflicted upon me, and for that I am most unappreciative.

Sometimes a handicap button should be pressed if there is a surge of people walking through; sometimes a door will be locked after certain times, and holding excessively is actually helpful.

The point is that when one is holding a door or contemplating holding a door, consider all aspects of the situation, because what should be a simple favor can easily turn into a day-ruining event.

JEREMY SANFREY

New Waterford