elevator etiquette.

we don’t spend much time in elevators, but there is still a level of common courtesy that must be displayed. the expectations aren’t high, so they should generally always be met. i don’t ask for much (and similarly don’t give more than the basics) when it comes to elevator etiquette.

i’ll hold the elevator door open for you if i see you coming (but only if i can actually see you, which is different from knowing you’re 20 paces behind me), and you should do the same. i hate when i’m headed for the elevator and make eye contact with someone, only to watch the doors shut in my face as i (unsuccessfully) lunge for the button. once eye contact is made (we’re like family at that point), it’s pretty much your obligation to make sure i get on that elevator. stick your arm out, press “door open”, throw me over your shoulder, i don’t care…just don’t make me wait for the next available elevator.

i’ll also press your floor if i’m closest to the buttons. but wait for me to offer (unless you actually ask); please don’t ever demand (or expect) me to press your button and just simply say “nine”. that’s never ok – because it’s not my job, just like it’s not yours.

as a small(er) person, i can usually carve out some space in a packed elevator. but not everyone can do the same. i’ll only pack myself in, if (a) i’m in a rush to get wherever i’m going, or (b) people tell me i can fit and wave me on (a little encouragement goes a long way). if any part of you touches any part of me (or anyone else), then you should probably step off and wait for the next elevator; because that means you’ll have to get off at every floor to let folks off anyway. not worth it in my book.

(i’m going to assume it isn’t necessary to mention that releasing anything in an elevator is never ok.)

one thing i’ve never really thought much about, is talking on the phone while riding in an elevator. i don’t really do it (unless i’m alone in an elevator), simply because i don’t want people in my business, listening to my conversations. but it’s never been an issue of etiquette for me (until i met one of my neighbors who profusely apologized once we left our building, for chatting on the phone in the elevator). i found it fairly amusing that she was so apologetic for talking on the phone in the elevator, because i didn’t really think twice about it; it didn’t bother me any. but now – as an after-thought – i think chatting on the phone in an elevator has its place. i’d say, if you’re going five floors or less, go for it. but to hear someone else chat, giggle, and sigh (loudly) for more than five floors could be annoying. therefore, i am personally instituting a five floor cell phone policy while riding elevators (for myself, and whoever else might want to take the sanity of others into consideration).

and that’s basically what it comes down to…consideration of others. that’s a bandwagon we should all jump on.