Kat with a K

I don't know what it is supposed to convey. I admit it makes me look at it funny. It could be any of the possibilities you raise, or it could just be that the guy is weird, or awkward, or had it on his mind for some reason. Maybe he had someone yell at him today for opening the door for her. Or maybe he failed to open a door and felt really bad about it. I'd be wary of making a judgment based on that, alone & if you were inclined to get to know this guy, I'd love to know what that was about, eventually.

I think you can't discount the possibility that sometimes people say stupid things - maybe he's off with his friends all "what on earth made me say THAT?" right now... :)

I think he was bragging about being an old-fashioned, well-mannered guy. "A guy who believes in opening doors for women" is pretty much a catchphrase, IMO, for "an old-fashioned guy with good manners". He was trying to impress you with his chivalrous niceness.

BTW he sounds like my BIL. He is JUST the kind of guy who would bring that up in conversation. The guy doesn't happen to be divorced and living in Georgia, does he?

I'm with Rachel. I think he's just letting you know he's an old-fashioned guy, rather than a misogynistic cad. Of course, I'd rather he show me than tell me about it. I wouldn't throw him back in the pool just for that, though. If everything else lined up, I'd say "great, he's a gentleman" and give it a shot. Time would prove whether he's just a nice guy or whether it's code for "and I will expect to control your every thought and action for all eternity".

He could be saying what he thinks women want to hear. He could be basing this on previous experience. Who knows what he is really like till you actually get to know him and stuff. We've always told our boys to open the door for others (not just women either, if someone is coming - hold the door for them type thing). Unless it's a heavy door :P

Either way, sounds like he is trying to make a good impression, if awkwardly. I think maybe he likes you :)

OK. I'm a lot older than you - so that may color my response. I agree that if it's just a couple of folks going in the same direction, whoever gets to the door first should open it for the other, or at least hold it open and "pass" it to the next person (largely depending on how close you are to each other). I will wait a little extra time and hold it open for the elderly or handicapped, or adult with kid in a stroller, or adult with hands full. But on a date, I think it's a sign of manners and respect that the man hold the door open for the lady. I do draw the line occasionally depending on the situation - I once had a boyfriend who insisted on opening my car door, both getting in and getting out. So I sat in the car while he ran around to open the door. :(
As far as carrying heavy things, I'll offer to split it (if it can be split, like 2 shopping bags), but it's nice if the guy carries it. **Usually** men are stronger than women, and it is more of a burden for us to carry than for them to carry. Also depends on weather, general physical condition, etc.
Clear as mud, huh?
Anyway, I don't think the guy's comment is enough to rule him out - and glad that that was not your deciding factor. I'm sure he's had some women who give him a hard time for opening doors - he probably wanted to get that out there, not as a 'trick' but so you know what you're up against. Perhaps to give *you* the opportunity to decide you don't want to date a guy with such antiquated manners....

Is he southern? Cause my husband was like that to the extreme when we first met. He wouldn't let me do ANYTHING. I quickly broke him of that. But it was hard for him to let go..