I hold the door for people immediately behind me without expectations -- regardless of gender or whether I know them. I figure there's no point in each person expending the energy once one has done it. I find that most people thank me in some small way but I'm really not invested in it.

It's a little different when it comes to the romantic / gallant door-opening (especially car doors) for a love interest. That seems like a mine field to me, given that when I grew up, it was pretty clear whose job that was. Now it can, at worst, be considered sexist. I don't really give a fig so long as I know what the woman expects, but when you first meet, it can be awkward to figure out.

My wife likes to open her own doors and has no expectations in that regard and tends to think of me opening doors for her as infantalizing, so I go with that. I don't really miss doing it. Not much anyway. I still think it'd be a better world if everyone were singing from the same song book, but on the other hand, it's great that everyone doesn't have to. I don't want the world to be simpler if it means some people feel condescended to.

I'll just be kind anyway. It doesn't cost me anything.

With respect to holding the door, I do it when I can for all, not just women, out of courtesy. And, many do it for me as ell, though perhaps more now that I am “old.”

But one instance still irks me after many many years. It was the woman, with nothing in her hands, that waited on me to open the door for her, even though my hands were full. I did it. I did not have time to wait her out. She never said a word of thanks in return. I did say, loudly, “you’re welcome.” There were several other words I did not say.

Some individuals are just not worth the effort. Unfortunately, they don’t come with a label so you know who they are!

My personal motto is don't be a dick. It's unfortunately not everyone's. There's never a reason to be impolite to strangers.

I mean’t to add, don’t let them beat you! Continue to be outstanding and hold those doors! ?Unthinking, rude people have way too much influence in our world as it is....don’t give in!

I always hold the door, for anyone and everyone, and I have noticed, like you, that many do not even acknowledge the courtesy. Shame in them but it seems to be the way of the world currently.

I always say thank you when someone holds the door for me. It's very nice. Please don't let impolite people affect your good manners... ?

you know when i thank men for holding doors open for me? when they get to the door first, or when my hands are full. i thank women for doing that too. you know when i don't thank men for holding doors open for me? when they practically knock me out of the way to get there to hold the door open for me even when my hands are free and i don't need any help. i had a coworker who would get MAD if i held a door open for him, even if i was a mile ahead of him and his arms were stacked high with file folders. i don't care about gentlemanly things. i care about common courtesy and consideration. it is courteous and more importantly considerate to help someone who needs help. it is incourteous and sometimes inconsiderate to "help" people who don't need or want help. it is also incourteous and inconsiderate not to thank people who are being helpful. i cannot see through the screen what has been happening, but if you're holding doors open to be gentlemanly, as you describe, then i can only gently ask you to look at what i cannot: your motivations and your modus operandi. if you're only holding the door open if you get there first, or if someone needs help, and not making a chivalrous pest of yourself, then people are being rude to you by not at least smiling.

g

That’s big city behavior. Move to rural Alabama.

If someone is within a few seconds of me, I'll hold the door for them, male or female.. If it's more than that, I let the door close. This may seem arbitrary but, well...yeah, it is.

I still open doors for others, if I get there first...acknowledgments or not. It makes me happy.

I'll open it if I'm first, regardless of sex, age, race, or creed.  I just like to do it for myself, and I don't care if they comment or not.  I'm doing it for ME.

I understand your position. There seems to be a whole lot less consideration of others across the board. I’m always grateful.
I’m always the one to let a car merge in but they rarely wave to say thanks anymore. I will still do it. We’re in to much into ourselves, our devices and the rush of our lives I guess.

Women do have the ability to open doors as far as I know.
What percentage of guys are thankful from your experience?