A to Z

(E)levator (E)tiquette

A J52 Comments

This post is part of the A to Z Challenge. Each post will be associated with a letter of the alphabet with the theme ‘Today, at work…’.

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Today, at work, I discovered that most of the people in my building has no clue about elevator etiquette. Zero.

Example #1: In the elevator going down, the elevator filled up and I happened to be at the front, next to the buttons. We stopped on the 4th floor and about 5 people shoved past me without any “excuse me” uttered, to get out. What’s with people and “excuse me”???

Example #2: From the third floor, I entered a lift which was mostly full and couldn’t reach the buttons to select the floor I wanted to get to. So, from the back, I said “Could you press 13 please?” And no one did. No one. So, I repeated my request again and then finally, someone did. Though it looked forced as the person had to look up from their phone to press the button. But just in time because by then the elevator had passed the 10th floor.

Example #3: When the elevator is not quite full, yet no one tried to make room when I entered and I attempted to not invade anyone’s personal space by making room for myself in the sparsely filled elevator. And everyone else still held their ground.

Example #4: Burps and belches. Which smells. In the confined space of the elevator. And no “excuse me” or an “oops”

Though this last bit isn’t really elevator etiquette-related, it still bugs the heck out of me. It’s when someone gets onto the lift and presses the button to next floor going up or down. Use the stairs, people!

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Which lift rules would you like people to follow?

52 thoughts on “(E)levator (E)tiquette”

    • Hello Silvia – Truly, I’m perplexed as to why people aren’t more courteous. Thanks for stopping by! And happy A to Z! 🙂

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  2. Definitely with you on all of those except the non-ettiquette one that bugs you… hubby has bad knees and I sometimes have a bad back, you wouldn’t be able to tell this by looking at us walking, but if it’s bad we have to use the lift to go one floor up/down… otherwise we do use the stairs 🙂

    Mars xx
    @TrollbeadBlog from
    Curling Stones for Lego People

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    • Hi Mars – Of course, if you can’t climb up the stairs due to health reasons, it’s fine to use the lift but the ones that I’ve encountered who’ve used to lift to move from one floor to the next one are the young folks who’re fit as fiddles 😦

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  3. Yes, I concur, only no elevators at my work place or anywhere else in the town I live in. Not one. There is a rather open lift going in at the church but it is for folk in wheelchairs. I don`t miss elevators though. Not a bit.

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    • Hi Jan – I try to use the stairs whenever possible but my office is on the 13th floor so I take the lift. I have walked up to my floor though from the ground level. That was when I wasn’t in a hurry ;P

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  4. Constant clearing of the throat, coughing and sneezing without covering their mouth or nose. We are in a tight space and I would prefer you keep your germs to yourself.

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  5. Really. I’m more than happy to move out of someone’s way when they have to get off. It takes a little more effort now that I’m on a cane, but I’ll do what I can if people would just be nice and ask.

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    • Hi Aneeta – this happens when I’m trying to get onto public transit too. People barge in before others have a chance to leave! Grrr…

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  8. Well seriously, people…what’s with your normal common sense and courtesy I say! These are basic courtesies that people must follow! I feel rather put off by this too. You could add: Smile at folks you meet virtually everyday on the elevator!
    Cheers,
    @KalaRavi16 from
    Relax-N-Rave

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  10. I’m with Kalaravi. This has little to do with elevator etiquette and a lot to do with basic manners, courtesy, respect and, yes, common sense. Sadly, the cult of me-first has spread its tentacles too far into every aspect of our lives.

    Keith Channing A-Zing from http://keithkreates.com

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    • Hi Mary – True, manners in general are deteriorating. I have lost count of the number of times when I enter a building and the person ahead of me just leaves the door to nearly slam in my face instead of holding it open for a while until I get to it 😦

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    • Hi Ramya – I generally give a small nod or a smile to the other people when I enter the lift. I’ve also seen folks who’re looking at their phone as they enter.

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  17. I would have screamed if no one pressed 13! “Aaaaahhhhh I’m going to be stuck in here forever!” Haha just kidding 🙂 Next time, if you’re not getting your way, I suggest you burp and belch.

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  18. you’ve hit all my pet peeves on elevators in one go.

    i’m usually the one clinging to the corner because 1) i hate elevators, but i am too lazy to walk up a thousand stairs and 2) i have an irrational fear that it will plummet to bottom of the shaft.

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    • Hi djinnia – I’ve actually been in a lift when it just stopped and lurched downwards for a bit. That put me off lifts for a while.

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    • Hi Kathryn – Maybe those near the buttons thought the other would push the button and hence no one did for a long time. Typical…

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    • Hi Natalia – Well, my previous workplaces didn’t have elevators and I wasn’t concerned about elevator etiquette until my new workplace had one and it bothered me a lot! LOL

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  24. Fortunately I rarely contend with having to take elevators. I agree about going up the stairs when it’s only one or two floors. I need the exercise so I don’t mind at all.

    Arlee Bird
    A to Z Challenge Co-host
    Tossing It Out

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