Doors of perception.
My job sometimes has me working in and on large public entrances, and I've discovered that you can learn a lot about people by how they navigate doors. With a few exceptions like the elderly, people with their arms full, and children, I believe we can categorize three distinct types of individual based on their door habits alone.
The rational.
Those for whom entrances pose no issues. This type utilizes rapid assessment and logical decision making skills that render any entrance that offers choices a simple obstacle to be traversed as efficiently as possible. They are, at best, impeded only by a doors weight, dampening effects, or the whoosh or vacuum of the wind. These people can be defined as independent and critical thinkers who are capable of limitless possibilities and skills. 30 - 40 percent of people.
The neurotic.
Those to whom entrances provide some form of carnal power. This type always chooses the auto feature, doesn't need an auto door, they want an auto door. perhaps driven by inner reflection (I’m worth the button); or material reward (the button gets stuck with the work); or maybe as an object an of control (the auto-door serves me). These people don’t require services, they want them, and you may find yourself forced to wait behind some as they can preform any number of bottlenecking rituals in their crossings. These people are often and paradoxically, the least affluent among us, as well as those on the higher rungs of the material-heavy ladders. For these button pushers, the solution to most of life's problems usually involves something money can buy. 40 - 60 percent of people.
The flounder.
Those to whom entrances are mystical portholes of right and wrong. This type is by far the most frustrating and socially destructive of the three groups. They are often distracted or otherwise listing in some respect, they can seem fearful, ill at ease, and unsure in their body language. They often, and it would seem, inadvertently cause no end of trouble for others coming and going; by stopping, hesitating, changing their minds, always pushing instead of pulling. They stand oblivious in flows of traffic, they can appear disconnected and indecisive, and they seem to have an innate knack for just being in everyone's way. These people are part of the implicate order of things; like bumpers on a pinball machine, or pesky mushrooms in a video game. 10-40 percent of people.
Observations:
Working on a door seems to attract people to it like a moth to a light, even if there are other doors available for use. Maybe it’s because we are all inherently a bit lazy and allow our minds to float like paper boats along the path of least resistance to where people obviously are.
On the question of holding a door for someone.
It's nice, but it doesn't merit you a thank you. I didn't ask you to do it, and if you did not intervened in my life to begin with, I'd have no need to defend myself from your possible ire, later. I owe you nothing for something you chose to offer me. Don't expect nor complain, just don’t do it then.
