Open door for someone on crutches.

[WasherWoman25]

If you were sat in a waiting room (doctors surgery if relevant) and saw someone on crutches trying to get through a door, assuming no disability / injury yourself, would you stand up and open / hold the door for them?

If not, why not?

YABU - No I wouldn’t
YANBU - Yes, of course I would.

I’m on crutches at the middle, badly sprained ankle and knee. I went to the doctors today and had to go in the upstairs waiting room, which has a closed glass door. I through the door (in and out) four times in then end (went the wrong way once called to the nurses room). Each time there was a different person sat in the chair nearest the door, not one offered to help me, all just watched me try and keep the door open with one crutch and try and move. Now I don’t know that any of them didn’t have their own ailments going on, but all stood and walked independently when their name was called so unlikely they all did. If it was me, I’d have grabbed the door for anyone struggling coming through (wheelchair, pushchair, crutches etc).

I’m the third person who has voted, and the other two have voted yabu.

WTAF ?!

are people that selfish that they wouldn’t (assuming able bodied, like you said in your op) help someone who is clearly struggling?

Make that 3:1! Fucking hell.

What @Zippidydoodah said

I was presuming this would be a 100% thread.

Blimey, that poll when I voted.

Of course I would! I've been on crutches myself and remember how difficult they make everyday tasks.

Id love to know from anyone who has voted yabu what your reasoning is?

Im essentially disabled and can struggle with doors, stairs, getting into lifts etc. Often times people offer to help when actually Im doing ok but Im always full of gratitude whether I need the help at that time or not. Why would you not offer to help if you are able to do so? You, like me....... might find yourself disabled a few years from now - consider how you will feel then when people who are able to dont bother to help you!

I use crutches the vast majority of the time, the rest of the time I use a power chair, it’s rare that someone opens a door for me tbh. People are just really, really rude.

I have to use a walking stick at the moment. I find people young and old so kind. A young builder this afternoon offering to carry my shopping to the car, or me if I preferred 🤣

The only age groups that find me invisible are women in their 30s and 40s.

It's very interesting to observe.

I'm pretty good at saying "can someone help me with the door please" and they all jump up to help (ACL injury several times)

I am on 2 crutches and have been for the past 7 years. I tend to have the opposite problem - people opening doors when I don't want to exit and people trying to hold up traffic for me to cross the road when I have just crossed the road .

Only times people are awful is blue badge spaces and the able bodied zipping in to them - very frustrating !

They might have no wanted to assume you needed help? Did you ask for help?

Surely it’s common sense to ask for help instead of just waiting for it? You could be waiting a while.

I think most people would rather assume (even if wrongly) rather than let someone struggle.

I disagree. It’s very frustrating if you have mobility issues or use a wheelchair and people assume you aren’t capable when you perfectly are able doing something.

You could just say no thank you, but appreciate that it was a kind thought?

Exactly @Brefugee! In my youth I would have been too timid but not anymore.
@OnePearlJoker she said she was struggling.

No. If I need help I’ll ask.

I definitely think YANBU but I do think people are in their own bubbles most of the time and fail to see what is in front of their faces. I don’t know if it helps to think people are lost in their world rather than rude.

No I didn’t ask for help and did manage eventually but I was just surprised that people sat within arms reach of the door didn’t just instinctively open it / hold it open for me.

Yes maybe, they all seemed to look up but they look away. I was just surprised that not one of them offered.

I work in a healthcare role and to me, its natural for me offer assistance. Previously, I'd have jumped up and opened the door.
If I'd noticed you nearing the door now, I'd have asked if you needed a hand, BEFORE just presuming to open the door for you.

More than once, I've been told 'I'm fine', 'NO- I don't need help' 'Don't touch that, I've got it!'

You are dammed if you do and dammed if you don't sometimes!

You are assuming alot:
-that people have even noticed you and thought 'Oh, she might need help'
-They might be thinking about their own illness, listening incase their name is being called etc
-Distracted by their own pain and worry

Wishing you a speedy recovery OP x

Of course I would help if at all possible. Surely anyone with an ounce of kindness and politeness would.

Yes these are some of the things I had considered hence asking if people didn’t / wouldn’t what the reasons for that would be. These are all very fair reasons.

Calling people arseholes for not getting up and helping somebody on crutches, is a deletable post now. Right ...