History Main / ExtremeDoormat

-> So here's another fuck you, don't you\\

Instead of swallow it down like soju!

Compare OverlyGenerousFool. Contrast YamatoNadeshiko and SilkHidingSteel, both of which ''appear'' to be this trope but have a hidden backbone that ''will not'' bend, and HairTriggerTemper, who will ''overreact'' about anything. Compare and contrast LoveMartyr, which is, mostly, not this trope. See ADoormatToHisMen for the military version.

Compare OverlyGenerousFool. Contrast YamatoNadeshiko and SilkHidingSteel, both of which ''appear'' to be this trope but have a hidden backbone that ''will not'' bend, and HairTriggerTemper, who will ''overreact'' about anything. Compare and contrast LoveMartyr, which is, mostly, not this trope.

!This trope is [[https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/posts.php?discussion=17075193320.78734900 under discussion]] in the Administrivia/TropeRepairShop.

Humble, [[TheQuietOne quiet]], [[BlindObedience obedient]], [[TheStoic stoic]]; the Extreme Doormat is all of these virtues... and that's all they are. A "doormat" is a slang term for someone who lets other people walk all over them, much like the mat you'd wipe your feet on before coming into someone's home. The Extreme Doormat lacks drive, ambition, boundaries, and in extreme cases even ''opinions''. Something about them just drives them to make ''everyone'' happy, even at the expense of their own happiness, and kowtow to every order and insult they're given, no matter how ridiculous or unfair it may be to them.

Naturally, such a narratively empty character won't start drama, so they're usually a SatelliteCharacter, BattleButler, trusty companion, or part of a love harem for the more active hero. Part of being the Extreme Doormat is that they will obey just about any command from their love/hero/superior officer short of the suicidal ones (and sometimes [[DrivenToSuicide even those]]). Sometimes, this can result from an EmptyShell with combat training under MindControl. Or it could result from a character who DesperatelyNeedsOrders as it would be a possible way for them to get people to give them orders.

A common CharacterArc for the Extreme Doormat is the discovery or growth of their own personality and [[GrewASpine backbone]]. Be it by having a true friend TeachHimAnger, [[DidYouThinkICantFeel confronting their (ab)user]] or being the subject of CharacterDevelopment or even a MookFaceTurn when the hero who treats them nicely encourages them to [[MookFaceTurn abandon]] a [[BadBoss boss who doesn't]], or a "lover" who [[AllTakeAndNoGive keeps them dependent]].

Frequently ApologisesALot. Often the victim of those TakingAdvantageOfGenerosity.

{{Supertrope}} to OverlyGenerousFool. Contrast YamatoNadeshiko and SilkHidingSteel, both of which ''appear'' to be this trope but have a hidden backbone that ''will not'' bend, and HairTriggerTemper, who will ''overreact'' about anything. Compare and contrast LoveMartyr, which is, mostly, not this trope. Goes with ConditionedToBeWeak, where a powerful character is only docile and submissive because they are conditioned to follow orders and/or fear their leader.

Contrast YamatoNadeshiko and SilkHidingSteel, both of which ''appear'' to be this trope but have a hidden backbone that ''will not'' bend, and HairTriggerTemper, who will ''overreact'' about anything. Compare and contrast LoveMartyr, which is, mostly, not this trope. Goes with ConditionedToBeWeak, where a powerful character is only docile and submissive because they are conditioned to follow orders and/or fear their leader.

* In ''ComicBook/ArchieComics'', Archie has been known to do this to Betty, e.g., asking her to do his homework while he takes Veronica to the dance. And Veronica sometimes does this to Archie.
* In ''[[ComicBook/{{Convergence}} Convergence: Supergirl: Matrix #1]]'', Matrix just seems to roll with whatever insult Lex Luthor throws at her.
* When [[Characters/MarvelComicsMagneto Magneto]] ran the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants, the doormat role was played by the appropriately named Toad.

* Insignificus in ''ComicBook/SecretSix''. He does anything a member of the Secret Six says while lamenting that he is not worthy to shine their shoes
* Mikołaj, one of the main characters in ''ComicBook/WilqSuperbohater'', is constantly mocked by Wilq and his friends, and occasionally he becomes a victim of their practical jokes, but he's never seen fighting back or even getting angry at them.
* [[Characters/X23LauraKinney X-23]], of all people, spent time as one when she was a prostitute under the violently controlling and abusive pimp, Zebra Daddy. She lets him walk all over and control her even though she could ''tear him to shreds'' if she wanted to. [[spoiler: And eventually she does.]] To a certain extent, she was this when still under the control of the Facility, as well, allowing Rice to subject her to horrific amounts of physical and emotional abuse even though, like Daddy, she could kill him in seconds. [[spoiler: And once again, eventually she does. [[NoHoldsBarredBeatdown Though not in seconds...]]]]

* ''VideoGame/DyztopiaPostHumanRPG'': In Chapter 1, after [[spoiler:the destruction of Pon Pon Village, Akira has a dream where they realize that following the law and complying with Zetacorp's demands just gives the corporate state more power to oppress the citizens. They also realize that their past relationship with Rosie failed because they were too passive and mainly just did what Rosie wanted, which only made Rosie feel bad. At this point, Akira decidess they need to start doing what they want instead of trying to please people, resulting in them becoming a rebel against Zeta. However, Akira can regress back into this trope in the Evil Runi route, where they become too passive again and do nothing to stop Gemini until it's too late]].

Contrast YamatoNadeshiko and SilkHidingSteel, both of which ''appear'' to be this trope but have a hidden backbone that ''will not'' bend, and HairTriggerTemper, who will ''overreact'' about anything. Compare and contrast LoveMartyr, which is, mostly, not this trope.

Naturally, such a narratively-empty character won't start drama, so they're usually a SatelliteCharacter, BattleButler, trusty companion, or part of a love harem for the more active hero. Part of being the Extreme Doormat is that they will obey just about any command from their love/hero/superior officer short of the suicidal ones (and sometimes [[DrivenToSuicide even those]]). Sometimes, this can result from an EmptyShell with combat training under MindControl. Or it could result from a character who DesperatelyNeedsOrders as it would be a possible way for them to get people to give them orders.

* Deanna from ''ComicStrip/ForBetterOrForWorse'' lets her family walk all over her, especially her husband and children. It’s implied that she fears turning into her domineering mother Mira, so she goes the opposite route and goes along with Michael’s questionable choices, Meredith and Robin’s BrattyHalfPint behavior and Elly and Mira’s meddling.

* Orion Black from ''Fanfic/TheBlackSheepDogSeries'' is a weirdly zigzagged example. Being the acting head of a Noble Wizarding family, he is proud, bigoted, and autocratic -- used to making orders and getting what he wants. But to the other members of his clan, he's considered soft-hearted, weak-willed, and indulgent. He gets frequently chewed out by his [[WellDoneSonGuy father]] and his [[HenpeckedHusband wife]] for letting the others walk all over him, and rarely reacts when people insult him. He was also intimidated by his younger son after the latter became a Death Eater and proceeded to avoid Regulus until the latter almost died. He apparently sees himself as being "unneeded" and doesn't attempt to seek treatment for the [[SecretlyDying disease that's slowly killing him]] because he doesn't see much point in living anymore.

* Fern Potter in ''[[https://www.fanfiction.net/s/7858862/1/More-Than-Her-Mother More Than Her Mother]]''. No matter the provocation, the most she ever does is make soft-voiced, perfectly-factual statements that are ''always'' misconstrued by the Dursleys.

* ''Fanfic/TheOneToMakeItStay'': While he's perfectly comfortable asserting himself as Chat Noir -- especially when it comes to [[ThinksLikeARomanceNovel pursuing a romantic relationship with Ladybug]] [[EntitledToHaveYou over her protests]] -- Adrien repeatedly balks at the prospect of standing up for himself or anyone else as ''Adrien''. Instead, he prefers dealing with uncomfortable situations by ignoring them in hopes that they'll go away, or smoothing things over by defending the aggressors and [[UsefulNotes/VictimBlaming telling their victims that]] ''they'' should be the ones to make amends.

* Poor Fix-It Felix Jr. from ''WesternAnimation/WreckItRalph''. He's so much of a NiceGuy, the bystanders he saves on a daily basis from Ralph (in-game) take advantage of his kindness to force him to keep Ralph out of his own ''30th anniversary party''. When you think about it, Felix is just as much TheWoobie as Ralph. Just in a different way.

* George in ''Film/MonaLisa'' allows his gangster boss Mortwell and Simone, the prostitute he chauffeurs and falls in love with, push him around and use him.

* Mild-mannered Jones, in ''Film/TheWholeTownsTalking'', let's everyone use him however they want, and never stands up for himself.

* ''VideoGame/PlanescapeTorment'': Dak'kon is actually this towards the Nameless One because at some point in the past he swore eternal servitude to [[ManipulativeBastard the Practical Incarnation]]. No matter how abusive and evil the Nameless One is (and there have been some really bad ones), Dak'kon will follow whatever orders he's given without protest.

* Pinocchio from ''VideoGame/SINoALICE'', befitting his Concept of "Dependance", struggles to make decisions of his own and would rather have his life dictated by someone else. He seeks out his author as he believes that his author is the most suited to telling Pinocchio what to do. He's often dragged around by his rude, foul-mouthed, and violent staff, and despite his protests he still follows his staff's orders because of his inability to make his own decisions.

* ''Webcomic/StandStillStaySilent'': Siv is pessimistic about quite a few things, including her own capacity at defending her opinion about a given situation, which causes her to not put much effort into holding her ground.

* George [=McFly=] was like this in ''Film/BackToTheFuture'' before Marty helps him [[TookALevelInBadass take a level in badass]] in 1955.