Are professors supposed to leave the door open or closed when you talk in their office?

[Anonymous]

I heard someone say they should leave it open if a student comes in which looks more proper.

But when I go visit one he always slams the door closed behind me. We aren't talking about anything highly confidential.

Why could this be? None of my other teachers or advisers do this besides for him.

[abundantlyrich]

it doesn't mean anything if he was never flirtatious to you in the first place and anyone that can walk past, will over hear what you guys are mainly talking about.

I think there's also another reason for it, a lot of people will just burst right through the door, interrupting while a consultation is taking place. It has happened to me when I was seeing the doctor, she didn't close the door, this annoying person just walked in during consultation time. talking for like an eternity (and no apology for interrupting either) and I had to wait for another 10 minutes which felt even longer since I waited an hour before getting to see her.

[Asker]

What if he was flirtatious but not in a way that I have to feel threatened?

[abundantlyrich]

Does he do it to everybody or he's just being charismatic or flamboyant to you only?

well if he does it again, do you want to confront him about it or just let him carry it on? if not, just tell him "Look, I'd like to keep the door open while I'm in your office, I need a bit of air in here."

[pooper89]

It may just be what he does. It probably doesn't mean anything.

As far as whether or not you should close it, just depends on if it's a confidential matter and it's only between you and the prof.

[ShesSoSilly]

I don't know, maybe its just habit... maybe in case anything is confidential he doesn't want it to be overheard... maybe he's a creeper lmao...

Only he'd know...

[CylonSexFiend]

Perhaps you should open it if you feel uncomfortable.

On the other hand if your teacher felt you were untrustworthy he would leave the door open.

Traditionally the door was closed to ensure confidentiality.

latterly with the incidents of false allegations of impropriety increasing some (mostly male) teachers have left the door open for their protection. (some teacher unions and school administrations advised this too)

[sovetskii13]

They are usually not required to keep it one way or the other, but I prefer the door to be open if he's/she's aaccepting students and closed when the student sits down to talk. The open door means that he's open to talk with a student, and closing it after the student is in will make the conversation more private and signal others (outside) that he's/she's busy.

[Cromartie]

There is no etiquette on the matter. Professionalism dictates that you shut the door in a setting of an office, but these people are actually an "exception".

[Anonymous]

I don't think they are supposed to do either. They can have the door however they want. It's probably a personal habit on whether or not they leave it open or closed. I don't think leaving it open is more proper. That doesn't make any sense.

[Asker]

some people say if it's a man and a woman it's more proper to leave it open so no one will ever suspect any impropriety.

[Opinion Owner]

This could be my naivete, but that doesn't happen often and if that's what people think, that's them being nosy and overreacting. Some prefer to have their conversations between themselves and whoever they are talking to without anyone eavesdropping no matter how mundane it may be.