According to the National Elevator Industry, elevators in the United States make 18 billion passenger trips per year and on average, each elevator carries 20,000 people in that timeframe. That is a lot of trips with a lot people in a very tight, awkward space. And I wonder how many of those trips are spent in silence? Crammed into a tiny box, we zip from one floor to another, staring forward, trying our best to ignore the fact that we’re shoulder to shoulder with complete strangers!
While I’ve already written about elevator etiquette in the past [1], here are some additional surefire tips on how to make the elevator experience less awkward for everyone:
- If you are in a tall building, and you only need to navigate from one floor to the next, take the stairs (if you can.) You’ll save yourself dirty looks from fellow passengers who are trying to make their way to the upper floors, while doing your body good by taking the stairs.
- Be aware of your surroundings. If you walk into the elevator lobby, note if the button has already been pushed and if people are already waiting. Don’t be “that guy” that hits the lit button again and subsequently jumps in front of everyone else that was patiently waiting. First to arrive, first to load.
- When waiting for the elevator, stand to one side to allow others to exit before you board.
- If the elevator looks full when the doors open, don’t just push your way on. Smile and kindly ask, “Any room for me?” More often than not, people will make a bit of room for you. If they do, be sure to thank them! If there isn’t room, they’ll likely shake their heads and give you a “sorry” shrug. Say “thank you,” and then step back and to one side to wait for the next elevator.
- I know you’re hungry but refrain from eating on an elevator. Besides the obvious fact that it’s impolite to eat standing up on an elevator filled with people, do you really want to risk arriving on your floor with ketchup on your tie?
- Do your best to face the door. This is a neutral, parallel direction that most of your fellow passengers will (likely) be facing. If you walk on to an elevator and keep your back to the door, you’ll find yourself in an awkward, confrontational standing position with the rest of people on board.
- Say “good morning” or another pleasant greeting as you enter the elevator. This makes the ride a little more pleasant by breaking the tension of being in an enclosed space with a group of strangers! It’s also a good practice if you’re shy or uncomfortable talking to new people. Take this opportunity to engage in small talk. Something like, “What a beautiful day it is today.” You’ll find your networking skills will improve the more often you get outside of your comfort zone.
- If you are at the back of a crowded elevator and it is approaching your floor, announce in a polite, friendly voice “My floor is next.” It sets the expectation for others on board and they will typically make room for you to exit.
- Elevator operators are a rarity nowadays, so you should be ready to take the helm if you are closest to the control panel. To prevent passengers from reaching across or over others, smile and say “Good morning! What floor do you need?”
- When the elevator is full, the people closest to the door exit first. Otherwise, women exit first
Do you have any interesting elevator etiquette tips you’d like to share? Please leave a reply and share!