I talked about the two-door entry system in British homes when I first moved to Scotland: outer front door, tiny foyer, solid inner door – my house is no different.
All of my neighbours (all whose front doors I can see when walking the dog) open their outer door early-ish in the morning and leave it open throughout the day, closing it only when they’re out running errands. I haven’t asked anyone, but it’s as if they are announcing, “Mrs. Beckwith-Jones is receiving visitors today.” My uncle did it too.
So, when in Rome . . . .
My cousin-in-law arrived yesterday and immediately asked why my front door was open. I said I thought that was what one did. He looked at me like I’d lost my mind (and he grew up in Central Scotland). So I am casting off peer pressure and going back to a safer way to live: front door closed and locked.