Dear Urban Diplomat: How do I get the people who live in my building to stop holding the door for strangers?
Dear Urban Diplomat,
My condo doesn’t have a concierge, so the only way to keep creeps out is to make sure no one sneaks in behind you when you unlock the front door. Problem is, everyone in my building is so infuriatingly Canadian that they hold the door for whoever happens to be behind them. I’ve tried putting up friendly notices, but they don’t work. How do I shut the door on someone—and convince my fellow tenants to do the same—without seeming like a paranoid psycho?
—Close Encounters, Liberty Village
Even if you’re extra vigilant every time you come home, your mannerly neighbours are still going to let strangers in. Take a bigger-picture approach: talk to your condo board about fob-operated elevators, security cameras or whatever else might make you feel secure. Be prepared to make a convincing case—evidence of break-ins in the building might help. Even if they tell you it’s not in the budget, you’ll have at least started the conversation. In the meantime, nix the passive-aggressive PSAs and lead by example: if someone’s trailing you at the door, politely ask to see a fob instead of immediately slamming the door shut.
Send your questions to the Urban Diplomat at urbandiplomat@torontolife.com
