Courtesy and Closed Doors

My fellow guests of the Outer Bailey,

The Courtesy Circle has discussed the etiquette of closed doors in the Outer Bailey, and I present here our thoughts on the subject. Please bear in mind that these opinions are not to be taken as rules that must be followed in every case, but rather as our own thoughts on the best courtesy in Outer Bailey behavior. We offer these opinions only to aid those who do wish to behave with the best courtesy.

Respectfully,
Viola, Courtesy Circle Mistress

General Courtesy For Closed Doors in the Outer Bailey

• Business of especially private nature or requiring especially lengthy discussion should be conducted in guests' private chambers, rather than in the public areas.
• If folk have business of a mildly private nature, and not requiring extensive commitments of time, the public areas such as the cupola, the pantry, the buttery, the lecture hall, and the balconies are appropriate locations to talk with the door closed.
• If one encounters a closed door and seeks to gain entry, one should first knock. It is gravely discourteous to open a closed door with no warning.
• If no answering knock is heard within a few moments, the door may be opened, and the room entered.
• If the occupants of a closed room prefer to remain undisturbed, they may knock in return, to politely indicate that the door has not been left closed on an empty room.
• If the occupants of a closed room welcome a newcomer, or are willing to inquire as to who knocks and wherefore, they may open the door, allowing the newcomer permission to enter.
• If one is outside a closed door and hears a knock in return, one should leave the occupants to their privacy (except in matters of grave importance), and simply return at some later time, or send a scroll to the person being sought.
• If the matter is of grave importance, the person outside the door may pound more loudly on the door [ooc: use 'punch door' instead of 'knock on door'] to signal to the occupants that the door will be opened. This should only be used in truly grave situations, as when a Watchman seeks a suspect of a crime, or when one fears for the safety of an occupant of the room.
• After pounding more loudly on the door, a person should wait a brief moment before entering the door, to allow the occupants to finish their current sentences.

Doors with Specialized Courtesy

• The Door to the Practice Room: The Practice Hall is an open and public place, but the door is often closed to prevent servants, guards, rats, and cats from entering to unintentionally disrupt sparring. The most courteous solution seems to be that new arrivals knock once on the door, and then wait until the door is opened between spars. This allows several new arrivals to enter simultaneously, at a less disruptive time, rather than opening and closing the door repeatedly during a spar. Additional new arrivals who find someone waiting outside the Practice Hall door should ask if the door has already been knocked upon, so that unnecessary additional knocking -- and the accompanying disruption to spars -- might be avoided. Those inside the Practice Hall should open the door when the current spar is ended, to admit those outside, even if only to tell them that the practice is closed. Otherwise, if the door is not opened within some few minutes after a knock, those outside the door should feel free to open the door and enter at will, as the door may have been left closed on an empty room.
• The Doors to the Baths and the Robing Rooms: Opinions regarding etiquette in usage of the doors to the Baths varies widely. When a concensus is reached, more information will be posted here. In the meantime, I suggest following the general courtesy guidelines for closed doors, as listed above.
• The Door to Lord Chamberlain Launfal's Office: If this door is open during the Lord Chamberlain's public office hours, it is my understanding that those wishing to speak to him may enter at will. If the door is closed, indicating that the Lord Chamberlain is busy -- either speaking with another Outer Bailey guest, or engaged in other duties -- it is never good courtesy to knock on the door. Lord Chamberlain Launfal opens his door when visitors are welcome; at all other times, his privacy should be respected.
• The Door to Mistress Ermengarde's Workroom: If this door is open, it is my understanding that those wishing to speak to the Royal Seamstress may enter at will. If the door is closed, indicating that the Royal Seamstress is busy -- either speaking with another Outer Bailey guest, or engaged in other duties -- it is never good courtesy to knock on the door. Mistress Ermengarde opens this door when visitors are welcome; at all other times, her privacy should be respected.
• The Door to the Armory: The Armory is not only Master Quilp's workroom, but also his home. As such, it should be respected as his private domain. The door should not be knocked upon except in cases of dire emergency. Those in need of contacting Master Quilp for less urgent reasons should send him a scroll.
• The Door to the Sunset Room: This room -- belonging to the Guild of the Awakened -- is to remain open at all times to encourage Newly Awakened to feel comfortable seeking aid from the Awakeners, and to give them access to the wardrobe of clothing kept especially for their use. The only time when this door should be closed is when one has received specific permission from sera Kiera -- leader of the Awakeners -- to hold some private event there, such as a Remembering session. If one of these sanctioned events is taking place, the door will be locked. Therefore, if the door to the Sunset Room is closed but not locked, folk may with perfect courtesy enter at will and leave the door open behind them. Note: Newly Awakened should not be encouraged to change their clothings in this room, but should be advised to take their newly aquired clothings to their private rooms, where they may remove their linens privately.
• Doors to Very Public Areas: Doors to the Refectory, the Seamstress Hall, the Tailor's rooms, all corridors, and all stairways may be courteously opened at any time.







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