What doors reveal about us

The little things matter. Big things are just small things threaded together. A series of events, seemingly random, but actually directed towards a certain goal.

Life and humans are no different.

We are defined by the small things we do. After all, significant accomplishments like, say, ending the global war on terror (yea, right!) are an agglomeration of many individual acts.

Unfortunately, humans are often defined by the negatives and based on relatively few experiences. When someone enters a room and doesn't shut the door behind them, I form a negative judgement.

Over the weekend, I sat in an air conditioned family owned restaurant. Not all patrons were considerate enough to shut the door each time they entered or left the establishment. In fact, most left it ajar.  

It's been really hot these last few days. It doesn't take long for rooms to warm up with a door left open.

I examined the diners who didn't close the door after entering. They seemed like normal, decent persons. Yet, one part of me screamed, "Ill mannered and selfish brute!" Another said, "Calm down, it's not their fault. They were not taught any better."

Teachers and parents make the difference, though we can train ourselves for most anything at any stage of our life.

There are some phrases which play in my mind all the time. Amongst others, three regulars are:

1. Shut the door, you're not entering a barn!
2. It's rude to wear a cap indoors;
3. Don't be afraid of anything except God.

And, no, imagining such voices doesn't make me psychotic!

I enjoyed the meal. The food was good. Despite the problems with the door, the room's temperature remained bearable.

If I were a restaurateur (of an air conditioned establishment) all doors must have automatic shutting mechanisms. Why fight a losing battle – or risk annoying patrons because one is teed off by their 'door closing etiquette?' It's unreasonable to assume everyone values the same behaviours as me.

Sometimes, shutting a door is as important as walking through another one.