Servus, “Hereinspaziert” literally translate to Welcome, walk-in. I think it´s a better way to announce a welcome atmosphere when the doors are open wide and not closed.

But when a door is firmly shut, it holds a different meaning. Ever had those experience where you wanna enter a shop or a restaurant then the sign on the door says “Closed” made you sigh?

Another culture change for me and I think it´s kind of normal in any Expat Life. You encounter many things that appear to be strange to you but for some reason, it is actually the norm and nothing to frown about. I was following some great feeds here in WP about Thursday doors and I kinda loved seeing different kinds of doors all over the world. It is really fascinating. When I am travelling, it´s one of the things that I look out and photograph in a new place or city. They are all so diverse.

But the thing is, I noticed that over here, doors are always closed.Some houses seemed so unoccupied since I rarely see the door being opened. There is no sign of life I must add. Moreover gates and openings are remained closed and it is very seldom to see a normal household that doors are open.I had my first impressions that Germans value their privacy so much and keeping everything locked and closed is a sign of it.

In the culture where I was born, we normally kept front doors open, or at least when we´re home. I think it was the norm in the Philippines. It´s hot and humid so we actually open everything to let some air for better circulation. Main doors are always open and nobody holds a key to enter a household. Front doors are the way we enter and get out aside from the gate.Nobody really cares about it or there is not a rule about keeping your gates and doors wide open or firmly shut.This also applies to windows.For us, it´s more like a custom, a tradition that I have seen since I was a child. Open doors feels more welcoming and more accomodating. Of course it simply denotes that someone is home that´s why the doors are open.

“An open door breathe in Life into another remaining rooms. It´s one of their purpose rather than always separating one from the other room.”

In the Middle East, especially in Kuwait, doors are rather firmly shut.It´s because it´s not normal to hang out in other people´s house or villa. People are private and when it´s a dusty weather, all the dust comes inside. It´s also because most apartments have Air Conditioning so doors are always closed.Doors are always been just a functional attribute to any home or building.

Here in Germany, our front door remains closed but doors inside our house I´d rather keep it open.Actually we have several doors. Aside from the main door, we have the door from the Garage and from the back door that leads to the garden. Inside the house, we normally keep the doors always open and seldom keep it closed. Only when my daughter go to bed and we still stay in the living room. I loved letting the doors open because I love how the light flooded all over the hall and throughout the bedrooms and kitchen. It´s more cozy like that.

I have shared before that German doors are rather tricky and scary. You should never leave your door without a key in your hand or else you will be locked out. Doors here can only be opened with a key and even the window& Door functions are so complicated. I´ve got locked out numerous times and it was never fun!

I don´t know about you but there´s something so nice about opening your doors from time to time. Not only to air the room and having fresh ventilation but it´s kind uplifting too. Here in Germany, there´s this thing about ” Tag der Offenen Tür” ( Day of Opened Doors) . It´s when a school or an office opens their doors for everyone and mostly for general public. It´s a gateway to see what´s inside and to look what is further there going on with their business. It´s more like a welcome invitation.

In the Netherlands, particularly in the region of Zaanse Schans, they have this door called ” De Dooddeur” which means the “Death door“. This is a typical name from the Zaan region for a door that never opens.Entering the house through the “pronkkamer” was not approiate, and thus the front door was never used.Except for special circumstances, such as when a deceased person was carried out of the house or a bride is carried over the threshold after a wedding.

Of course for security purposes, doors should be closed, esp. at nightimes. Most houses over here in Germany has Roller shutters and that is additional security but during summer, most doors are sometimes kept open for extra ventilation.Yes ,for the sake of energy conservation, some stores and shops should keep their doors open and that is practically wise.

Sometimes I view people as doors. Everyone is unique and their personalities are like doors as well. Some are private and quiet, almost always shut down. But some are rather open-minded, very carefree and friendly. I´ve learned that through out my expat life where I continue to meet different kinds of people and their cultures, I´d rather become flexible. I don’t tire myself out in a bid to access the closed doors – perhaps, such doors are not meant to be opened for me and for others, and when they open, they do so with difficulty. Doors come in different sizes, shapes and even quality and costs. This means, being able to access a certain door is not a given chance for anyone who attempts to access it.

But it´sa lucky day when a door is open , right?It is less intimidating. At home it feels more comfortable. Though children can be noisy and clutter a lot, opened doors are more inviting. But I guess it´s not always a good idea when a baby is sleeping and need some quiet time.

There are some supporting moral traits that come in handy when accessing doors that are closed, as well as those which are open for a specific reason or objective.I realized that a door is our soul – its value is priceless, but it can end up being opened with a random smile. There is an old saying that goes ;

” Soft words defeat a clear truth!”

Do you like opened doors as well? Do you know any other culture which has a unique Door etiquette?

It´s almost weekend so here´s wishing everyone a lovely weekend ahead, but as for me, i´ll be working.

Until then, Tschüss!