Etiquette in an elevator

Gentle readers,

I work in a four story building with maybe a couple hundred people working in said building. Yet, every single day I come within a hair's breadth of being doused with a cup of Starbuck's, Dunkin's or Tim Horton's coffee. Why is this, you ask? It's because no one seems to understand the basics of elevator etiquette. It's not complicated really.

While waiting for an elevator:

1. Maintain minimum safe distance. This will help resist the urge to sprint in once those doors open like there's free money inside.

2. Remember: No elevator moves as fast as one would like. Try to have patience. If you can't wait, try the stairs.

When entering an elevator:

1. Assume someone is on the elevator who wishes to exit, even if there is not. Do not assume the Elevator Genie as sent you an empty elevator to grant your wish.

2. Allow the doors to fully open.

3. Wait a beat. Count one, one thousand, two one thousand.

4. Allow any passengers wishing to exit to do so safely.

5. Climb aboard, select your floor and move to an unoccupied area of the elevator.

When riding in an elevator:

1. It's ok to make eye contact.

2. It's ok not to make eye contact.

3. It's ok to have dead air.

4. It's ok to make polite conversation.

5. If you stake the claim of elevator real estate that is in front of the buttons, congratulations, you are now the elevator operator. You'll be in charge of pushing buttons that others can't reach. This includes but is not limited to holding the 'door open' button to ensure passengers safe entry/exit. If you're not up to this public service task, don't stand there.

When exiting an elevator:

1. Make sure you are on the floor you need to be on prior to exiting.

2. Say "excuse me" if you need your fellow passengers to move in order to exit. They've been blindly staring at the numbers as they light and can't guess who's floor they are on.

3. Hold the door in case there are others behind you also exiting.

4. Be on the lookout for passengers getting ready to enter who may be oblivious to the fact that this isn't their personal elevator and that others may in fact be using it.

5. Wear stain resistant clothing just in case someone isn't up on their elevator etiquette.

These are simple rules that I think we all can live with. They'll make elevator travel everywhere safer and more enjoyable for all.

Random Musing Item: What ever happened to elevator music? I don't think it's as common as it once was. Next time you're in an elevator take note!