I understand its a good gesture and I do it.. but why does this show how nice of a person you are? Also does anyone ever say thank you in kind for this gesture?

It is very gentlemanly of you and yes...ladies still say thank you

i do it all the time, and every time i do, i get a thank you

Some ladies...I don't care though, still open the door for them.

I hold the door for anyone. It's just polite. If they get snooty about it I try to close it real fast before they can get through

I still do and most of the time I get a Thank you

nice

I love a man who holds the door for me, or opens my car door....

I hold the door for others too, and always say thank you when it's done for me.

What???? I'm not a total b*tch....

first off, it shows you're willing to wait for someone else, plus often times people have their hands full and appreciate it when people make it easier for them to get somwhere without the risk of dropping anything in ther hands.
Other than that it's realy like you said a polite gesture, probably dating way back to when doors were all made of heavy oak or metal.
Second, yes most people, or at least most people as poite as yourself with thank you in return, sometimes out loud, sometimes a kind of underbreathed mumble. Other than those who opening the door has realy helped opening a door for someone just as capable as doing so as you is a polite but usually empty gesture, so there are plety of people who don't bother with the appretiative response.

You probably weren't expecting someone to practicy write a novel in response to your question, but well, I'm bored.

it says you are aware of others around you and you chose to do something about it. and some people do say thanks.

it's a power thing. It subconciously asserts control

Yep, control of being nice!

Why does it show how nice of a person you are? It shows that you have compassion for others. And yes, I say thank you each and every time.

Manners are always appreciated.

I always say thank you if someone holds the door for me. I'll also hold the door for others.

I think it just shows good manners.... My mom would have smacked the sh*t out of my brothers for not holding the door open for a lady, especially an older lady....

Yep...me too...it's just being polite.

I always say thank you when someone holds the door open for me.

We can pretend to be all gentlemanly, but deep down we all know the only reason we open a door for a lady is to ogle her a$$ as she walks through.


THE SECRET IS OUT!!!

Very good gesture. After living in the South, I have come to expect it from any men I am with. My son is being taught it.

Yes, I do say thank you.