Tuesday, July 10, 2007

Is it just me

Did you ever, you know when you go to the bank or the post office or Starbucks, pull into the parking lot at the same time as other cars, and those people in the other cars get out at the same time as you and so you hurry just a bit to get to the door first just so you are not standing in line behind a few more people, but you don’t really run or make it look like you are trying to beat those other people, you just kind of pick up the pace in an effort to be ahead of them?

Sometimes I reach the door just a few paces ahead of those people, not a big enough gap where I can just walk right in and let them worry about opening the door themselves, but a small gap where I feel bad and then I am stuck holding the door for them and I have to, by default that I am somewhat polite, let them enter ahead of me.

It is those times, where I want to tell those people that I was the actual winner of my secret race and that they should let me ahead of them in line.

You know what I am talking about...right?

38 comments:

Katie said...

Yes! I do this as well and always get caught holding the door. And if you try to be just behind them so that they open the door for you, those are the people who are not as polite and have no problem just going on in. :)

Maddy said...

Indeed we do. People like you [us] should just lie down where the door mat is and let people jump right over us or wipe their feet on our jeans!
Cheers

Anonymous said...

Totally. Those are the times I wish I'd channeled my inner bitch.

Stepping Over the Junk said...

yeah. but I don't hold the door and I dont say anything, I just am glad I can get my Starbucks in a timely fashion and get the show on the road.

Except also, the closest Starbucks is 25 min away!!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

That's when you just have to let the competitive side in you out & not hold the door...JUST WIN! At all costs! & then make sure they know they lost too, just in case they aren't in on the "Secret Race".

Wendy said...

I beat you in my secret polite race, because even after you hold the door for me I would allow you to go in front of me in the line. Although, you would have to endure the constant taunting of my children. "Mommy won, Mommy won!"

Teri said...

you're such a big kid!

Carrie said...

I double-dog dare you to make a grand showing of CLOSING the door behind you...


or.. let them through the door that you're holding, then go up to them in line, cut in front of them and say "oh, thanks for holding my spot for me." at the very least it would make for a good blog entry!


___________

thanks for stopping by; it reminded me what a good read you are!

Darren said...

I'd hold the door but only so they could grab it behind me. Then I'd still be able to get in line first.

mamabrown said...

Of course, most people have the same secret race. Some people are not as polite as you and actually do run to the door to get ahead of the huddled masses invading the same "spot" so they can win. I think it is a hold over from Musical Chairs in kindergarten...btw the older you get the less important it is to "win" at this game so enjoy it while you can.

~moe~ said...

Delurking to state - Holy crap! I totally do that, too!

Unknown said...

Nupe. Not a clue, William.

Unknown said...

TOTALLY.

It's nice to know that I'm not alone in my neurotic and devious ways...

Last one to the door is a booger-head!!!!

Susie said...

Ohmygosh. I so do this. But the best is, when you hold the door for them, right? RIGHT? And then they get in line first because you're all "I'm the door-holder," and then, when you get to the line, they let you go in front of them. It has happened, I swear. Keep being nice, William.

mrtl said...

Bug will start dragging me and speak the inner thoughts: "Momma! Hurry up! Those people are going to BEAT us!!"

I use that as permission to run to the door with her.

Anonymous said...

I do this a lot, but the worst is when you do it and they don't say "thank you". So I make a very noticeable "display" and say "Thank you" for them! :)

Gwen said...

Totally! I always feel so superior and yet so childish at the same time. Emotions are best when mixed like a cocktail.

Unknown said...

OMG okay I have even begun parking in the FIRE LANE in front of Starbucks to beat the other early morning bastards. OK it's 5:34 am - why are there eight people in line already??! GET A LIFE, PEOPLE...and there I am, practically hanging myself from a seatbelt, falling out of my car to beat them all to that $7 macchiato. Bad enough to pay the Starbucks price, but to want to be the FIRST ONE RIPPED OFF...now that's an accomplishment. I usually lurk but this really struck a chord with me. Sadly.

Anonymous said...

Some guy actually did that to me at Starbucks.

I was SHOCKED.

Chris H said...

Ha ha , I do know what you are talking about... and I am rude, rude, rude... I don't hold open the door for them, I rush through and have it slam in their face! Nasty me. OK, if it's an old couple or a young mum with wee kids I would hold open the door, I'm not heartless.

Nature Girl said...

oh I SOOOOOO KNOW what you're talking about!
Stacie

OhTheJoys said...

Affirmative, Houston.

Anonymous said...

Weird. I do exactly the opposite. When I see the other person's barely perceptible speed-up, I dawdle, so they end up looking like an idiot, racing for the door that no one's fighting them for.

In a car, however, I will definitely race to be the first one to have to stop at that red, red stoplight.

Anonymous said...

Have you been reading my mind?

Scottsdale Girl said...

As a girl I feel no chivalric tendencies.

Wendy said...

This sounds like my hubby's philosophy that if there are two boats in the water, there is a boat racing going on. Starbucks, same deal.

What you men forget is we ladies WANT you to win the race to the door so you have to open it for us. Nah, nah, we win!

N said...

Ah, the rat race. Doesn't it suck that we're all in it?

Patience said...

That's when you get pretend to be talking on your cell phone and never notice anyone. That way you don't hold the door because you're pretending not to notice anyone else there! That little old lady with the walker? She can get some nice person to open the door for her!!

sari said...

Oh, I am so there.

Lowa said...

I am female and always do this. I always hold the door open for the people and they look at me like I am nuts. I have gotten to where I don't care, I do it anyway. And like someone already said, often then go ahead and let me in line. I know I always do. If someone goes a bit out of their way to make things easier for me, I don't hesitate to do the same for them. I usually start it, in fact. I love to do thoughtful things for people and not just think of myself. Sets a great example for my kids too and I am proud when I see my teenaged son hold doors open for people and let people ahead of him in line. I have never even talked about it, he just sees what I do and follows my lead.

The women that I hold the door for just walk in and don't ever say thank you. Like it is owed them or something. And the men usually look like they feel funny having the door held open for them. I don't get that. Why can't men go in first sometimes?? Women who think they should and never hold doors for people really irk me.

Nikki said...

HAHAHAHA!

I thought I was the only one that did that!

...and I've let the gentleman that held the door for me get in line in front of me...but some decline the offer.

....aaahhhh. A world full of trained me to hold my doors. All would be right with the world.

Effie said...

yup--I end up holding the door and get stuck in a loooong lineup--it usually happens at Tim Hortons...

Anonymous said...

Um. I don't lose my race. I stick Liam in front of me so they hold the door for both of us even though they are behind us. Sorry, Charlie.

sari said...

You know, Iowa's comment got me thinking. My son (who's nine) holds the door open for people a lot and hardly ANYONE ever says thank you.

That sort of makes me mad. It's not related to this at all, but the only people that ever say thank you when you hold the door open for them are older people, have you noticed that?

kittenpie said...

Right.

Jenny said...

I do this. Glad I'm not weird. :)

Amber said...

All I had to do was read your little race story and well...now I have a crush on you! I do the same thing and if my hubby is with me I try to discreetly tell him to pick up the pace, but he usually doesn't hear me and instead asks me in a loud voice, "why are you walking so fast?" He outs my secret race every time.

Anonymous said...

I'm not as nice as you (there's a statement I never thought I'd hear myself utter). I win the race.