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A doorman, or porter, is a person hired to provide courtesy and security services at a residential building, church or hotel. They are particularly common in urban luxury high-rises. At a residential building, a doorman is responsible for opening doors and screening visitors and deliveries. They will often provide other courtesy services such as signing for packages, carrying luggage between the elevator and the street, or hailing taxis for residents and guests.
The occupation dates back at least to the time of Plautus under the Roman Republic where its name was iānitor (from iānua, 'door', the root of both "January" and "janitor").
The United States House of Representatives had an official doorkeeper until the post was abolished in 1995.
In Egypt, doormen are called bawab, and in modern times they have been described by the BBC as a security guard, porter, enforcer of social mores and general snoop, all rolled into one.