Review of Persistent Door Push Pull Error Activity

Annual Review: Door Push Pull Error

Review Period: Ongoing since the doors were installed Subject: The person who pushes a door marked PULL and then behaves as though the door's design contributed to the mistake

Q1: January through March

The door in question is located at the building entrance. It is labeled. The label says PULL and has said PULL since the door was installed. The door has always responded to pulling. This has never changed.

Q1 recorded eleven documented errors, all involving the same basic motion: hand contacts door, weight is applied forward, door does not move. Pause. PULL is observed.

Q2: April through June

By April, the subject had developed a working theory: the label placement is counterintuitive. The door handle is horizontal, which, the subject argues, invites a pushing motion. The label says PULL in letters visible from two meters away.

People follow the public rule and then add a private rule on top of it.

The subject's private rule: a horizontal handle on a glass door means push unless the label can be confirmed in time, which it usually cannot, because the confirmation happens after the push.

Q3: July Status

The error rate has not declined. The subject pushes, pauses, notes the label, opens the door correctly. This sequence now takes approximately three seconds. Without the error, it would take one second.

The person pushes a door marked PULL and then behaves as though the door's design contributed to the mistake. This is an annual pattern.

Peer Behavior

Nearby strangers begin subtly adjusting their behavior around it. Two other regular entrants to the building have been observed hesitating briefly at the door. Both appear to be checking the label before committing.

The shared space acquires an unwritten law enforced entirely by people pretending there is no law. The law is: check the label, even if you remember, because you do not always remember.

No Recommendation Made. The door is correctly labeled.