Life is tough, but it’s tougher when you’re stupid.
- John Wayne
I take the elevator at least six times a day while at work. You would think people could get on and get off with a little class and thoughtfulness. Well, you’d be wrong.
Few things irritate me more than people with no elevator etiquette. And the weird thing is that I find that the women are much worse than the men.
Here are a few guidelines:
When approaching the elevator go ahead and press the button.
Then step away.
Don’t hover next to the door. It makes people think you’re the second coming of Bob Wiley, and you don’t want to make the people getting out have to walk around you.
Now, here’s the big mistake everyone makes. Just because you pressed the button doesn’t mean you run in like a third grader right when the doors open. The proper etiquette is to let people out before you get in. Let me repeat that: let the people off the elevator before you get in. I cannot emphasize this enough. It is the biggest part of elevator etiquette most people fail.
Now that you’re on the elevator, relax. It’s not a race to get off. If you’re a man, make sure and let all the women off before you exit at your stop. Yes, chivalry is still alive … sometimes. If you are getting off and people are in your way, say those two magic words that seem so hard for people in 2011:
“Excuse me.”
Last point, and this is more about using your head than etiquette: don’t ever get on to an elevator if you have to go to the bathroom. This is just good common sense. If it breaks down, they’ll be video on YouTube of you taking a leak during hour 3 of your elevator incarceration.
Now, since you’re reading my blog, you’re smart enough to know all this, but many out there don’t have your sophistication and class. Pass it along to those who don’t.
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Image from Creative Commons
