Category
Elevators
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Elevators
Elevator Etiquette Part 12: Conversations Should not Halt Progress
Never hold others up with your talking
If you are having a conversation with someone outside the elevator, and one of you wants to get on the elevator, but the other doesn’t, one of two things should happen.
Either your conversation ends as one[...]
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Elevators
Elevator Etiquette Part 11: Reopening Closed Doors
Just get the next one
A while ago, I mentioned that holding an elevator door open while there are people inside, just so that someone outside can get in, is a somewhat rude gesture, because you are assuming that the other people inside are in a generous mood.
Pressing the call button on the outside of an elevator that is about to close with five people already in it, just so that you can force the doors open[...]
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Elevators
Elevator Etiquette Part 10: More on Conversations
Talking to Strangers
There’s nothing wrong with striking up casual chat on elevators with people you don’t know. But remember the boundaries of casual chat. If the person seems like he or she would rather be left alone, accept that, and leave him or her alone. Just because you feel like brightening someone’s[...]
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Elevators
Elevator Etiquette Part 9: Conversations in the Elevator
There’s no such thing as privacy on an elevator
When there are people you know and people you don’t know in an elevator car, be aware of some conversation guidelines.
Don’t assume that everyone on the elevator wants to overhear your reenactment of last night’s escapades. Most polite people will at least lower their voices once the doors close to imply that their continuing conversation is meant for the person being addressed only. This is perfectly acceptable. Loud, abrasive talk, especially about personal matters or subjects that would offend your mother, is a bit out of hand. [...]
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Elevators
Elevator Etiquette Part 8: Know Where you Currently Are
Lift riders, be on the lookout. Not everyone knows the basic rules of elevator etiquette that we all should have learned after a few weeks of experience. Those of us working or living in buildings with elevators are in serious danger of falling victim to the following infractions by others. This is just one in [...]
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Elevators
Elevator Etiquette Part 7: Know When You Are Getting Off
Figure out where you need to be in order to exit quickly and safely
When an elevator opens, often people will get in and naturally move as far back as they can. This leads to problems when the people in back need to get off before the people in front. The same goes for people who are getting off all the way at the top or bottom[...]
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Elevators
Elevator Etiquette Part 6: The Open and Close Door Buttons
They don’t do much, at least not mechanically
The Open and Close door buttons are not there in the elevator so that impatient people can press them thirty-five times every time the elevator stops. Most elevator doors open for a set amount of time. Once the people getting out have gotten out, the doors tend to close up again rather[...]
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Elevators
Elevator Etiquette Part 5: Holding the Door
12.08.08 | Permalink | 4 CommentsDon’t be a Nice Guy at Someone Else’s Expense
This is one of those tricky situations where you may think you’re doing a nice thing, but in fact, you’re being rude.
As you get into the elevator, you notice that someone else is making his or her way to the door but will not make it in time. So you either put your hand over the door to block it from closing, or hit the Open Door button inside the elevator, allowing the other person to get in with you.[...]
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Elevators
Elevator Etiquette Part 4: Where to Look
You Lookin’ at Me?
As I’ve mentioned before in this series, Elevators are small, enclosed spaces. And those spaces are often occupied by strangers. So the question quickly arises: Where does one focus his or her attention while riding in the elevator?[...]
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Elevators
Elevator Etiquette Part 3: Avoiding Contact
To be avoided at all costs
If there’s one thing people really hate, it’s being touched by someone they don’t know. When the elevator isn’t crowded, there’s absolutely no excuse for bumping into anyone. As long as everyone stands in the correct position, there should never be a problem. Once the elevator starts filling up, of course, avoiding contact becomes more of a challenge. That doesn’t mean you [...]
