Tuesday, September 24, 2013

Elevator Etiquette

I ride my fair share of elevators given I live in a condo and work in a large office tower and have seen some really weird things happening on elevators. I thought I'd share with you some simple rules that if we'd all follow, elevator rides would be a lot more enjoyable and a lot less awkward.


Stand facing forward. If we all stand facing forward, we eliminate those awkward moments where we are crammed in there and are basically making out with the person beside us. I've never understood why people walk on and then continue to stand facing the back/people who are facing the doors. Face forward. Simple.

Stand still. Just the other day it was myself and another guy in the elevator and he paced back and forth the entire time. If you can't stand still, take the stairs.

Don't look at yourself in the mirrors. My condo building has mirrors in our elevators and it makes for really strange moments. There is no need to floss, comb your hair, look at your blemishes or do your make up. Save that for your bathroom mirror. Please.

If you are the last one on the elevator, push the close button. This one drives me insane. The doors in my condo are fairly slow to close. This works in your favour if you are trying to get on the elevator but when the elevator stops to pick someone up on a floor and the person just walks in, pushes where they want to go and doesn't hit close? So annoying. The majority of residents know to push it but there are still a few who are still learning.

Adjust where you are standing depending on when people get on and off. If you're the only one in the elevator, I don't care where you stand or what you do. If someone gets on, don't continue to stand right next to the door. Move in so the person can get on.

 Don't take the elevator one floor. I am guilty of this at work since we occupy two floors but I normally do it during non peak times. It drives me crazy when people take the elevator in my condo from ground floor to floor 2 where our exercise room, pool, billiards, golf simulator etc are. It's our fitness centre - walk up the stairs!!!

Do you ride an elevator or two a day? Any extra rules you want to add? :)


9 comments:

  1. It's funny that you did a post about this because just yesterday I was thinking about this as I was in a packed elevator. I was watching people in the elevator and mentioned to my husband that being in a packed elevator is always an awkward social situation. It's funny to watch people panic and hit the close button multiple times like it's not working.

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  2. Too funny!! I don't have to use elevators often but these all seem like common sense but then I know people get a little creeptastic in closed spaces! ;)

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  3. This is awesome! I used to live in a high rise downtown and thought the SAME things. Now I just ride the elevator at work with no mirrors, but people are still so awkward! The worst is at work when ppl are carrying the lunch up from the cafeteria.

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  4. Love this!!! I don't use elevators much any more but I hate the uncomfortable positioning some people insist on. My office building has 2 floors, and some people use the elevator all. the. time. I don't get it, it's so lazy!

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  5. This is all so true and I am sad that you even had to write it! Get off your cell phone is another. Let people exit before you get on. If it is crowded and you are in front of a panel, ask what floor so the person getting on doesn't have to molest you to punch a button. Be alert and hold the door if possible! UGH people!

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  6. I can't believe people actually pace in the elevator! I've never had that happen to me, but AWKWARD. And I have to admit, I'm totally guilty of fixing my hair etc. in the elevator mirror. Mostly because I'm terrified of elevators, and it distracts me from thinking about the fact that I'm in one haha.

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  7. All very true! I used to work in a 20 story building and got frustrated with the elevator riding a lot. Biggest pet peeve was when people would hold the doors open while laughing/talking with friends OUTSIDE of the elevator! While a group of us are just standing in there ready to go! What the heck?!

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  8. I hate when the person who gets on doesn't hit the door close button! And then everyone just silently stands there and waits! And I also don't like when a bunch of people get off a crowded elevator, and the person standing right next to you doesn't move over into some newly opened space! That's the worst!

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  9. I like this list... I thankfully do not have to get on one very often, but when I do, I sometimes think how nice it would be to have a list like this posted somewhere inside. :)

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