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One could argue that opening the door for a woman is a primitive deed that ranks up there with a man throwing his coat down so a woman can walk over a puddle. However, it may be regarded as a polite gesture even when the woman isn't the man's significant other. Some see it as old-fashioned and outdated, and it may be offensive to some women that feel they are quite capable of opening doors for themselves. Our research pointed to this being a custom practiced in the Victorian era, a period in British history between 1820 and 1914, though it may have been established well before then. Some men feel it is just the polite thing to do regardless of a person's gender. When a man is in a relationship with a woman, he may sub-consciously feel he's honoring her and expressing his love by opening doors for her.