"All exit doors open out"

Exit doors open out. 

Meaning you have to PUSH (not pull) them. I discovered this fact at our last orchestra concert. I went to the door and gave it a good pull. When it didn't open I tried again (always try more than once). After many efforts to pull the door open I concluded that the door must be locked. Thus began my quest to find the janitor...

As time wore on I think the building grew of few hundred square feet. I could not find that guy anywhere! He probably heard that the principle violist was looking for him and decided to hide in a secret room. You might ask, "couldn't you have gone out a different door?" Yes. I probably could have, but it was the principle of the matter. That door was the closest to where I was parked. It wasn't supposed to be locked, and I plain wanted to use that door!!!

Anyway... When I finally found the janitor I explained the problem and quickly led him to the troublesome door. Once we got there I demonstrated how I was pulling the door so he could see that it really would not open (when I first explained the problem he didn't believe me). When my demonstration was done he looked at me like I was a crazy person out to waste his time. Then he very deliberately stepped up to the door, looked at me, (ok glared) and PUSHED the door open. Then, and this is a direct quote, he said, "All exit doors open out!!!" I didn't let this small mistake get to me. Instead I got my gear, PUSHED the door open and left. 

The next day I was filled with gratitude for the janitor who was so kind to take time out of his busy schedule to teach me such a valuable lesson. Its not everyday that one learns such important things. I mean if there was a fire in a building, and I was the person closest to the door, I could have endangered the lives of others thinking the door was locked. Now that I know the truth I wont be a detriment to society. 

Fast forward two weeks. I'm at the Schnitz Concert Hall, leaving actually. I step to the doors and remember the words of that wise old janitor. "All exit doors open out!!!"  With this in mind, I energetically push the door and go to step through.... Let me tell you a little secret that most people probably don't know. ALL EXIT DOORS DO NOT OPEN OUT!!! I came to that conclusion after peeling my face off that glass door. 

There's your random, but brilliant, advice for the day. Take it to heart my friends. You never know when you will need it. 

"All exit doors do not open out".