Going up?

So, this may seem like a ridiculous thing to go over but when you work on the 4th story of an office building where the stairs are for emergencies only elevator etiquette becomes extremely important. So, after becoming mildly irritated on my way down to the parking lot today I decided that I would blog out my frustrations.

Elevator Etiquette

#1: When waiting for the elevator do not rush into the elevator without first making sure someone else isn’t coming out.

I understand that very rarely when you are spaced out or looking down at your phone and not paying any attention you might run onto the elevator without checking but this should be a RARE occasion. It should never become habit to just steamroll your way onto the elevator. Nothing bothers me more than trying to get out of the elevator to five people trying to get on. Here’s a hint for you all…you can’t get on the elevator until the six people on it get off! There just isn’t room!

#2: When waiting for the elevator with other people the people who have been waiting longest and are closest to the elevator should be allowed to get on the elevator first.

If you are waiting in the vestibule for the elevator with other people it’s only polite to allow the person who has been waiting for the elevator longest, and is most likely closest, to the elevator to enter first. For one thing, this allows for the best possible flow of traffic. If you rush past the person who has been patiently waiting you will most likely irritate them, cause an awkward moment where two people are trying to get into the elevator at the same time and possibly cause a major traffic jam by not abiding elevator etiquette don’t #1. Trust me, rushing past the person who was waiting isn’t going to get you to the desired floor any faster because let’s be honest here, you still have to wait for them to get on the elevator! Even if you wanted to close the door on them the elevator just doesn’t respond to anyone pushing any button that quickly. Avoid the awkward moment and have a bit of patience!
(This is what so irritated me today.)

#3: (This is an extension of #2) When on the elevator with several people the people who were on the elevator first should be allowed to exit first. That is, of course unless the elevator is maxed out, then the person closest to the door should leave first.

Ok, so like I said this is an extension of #2, don’t be the jerk that runs onto the elevator and then cuts the person off again because you have the need to run out. (This is when I hope someone doing #1 runs into you and causes you to realize the error of your ways.) All this does is confirm your level of rudeness to your coworkers. (Again, what happened to me today.)

#4: Unless the elevator is as full as possible you should not stand close to the one person on the elevator besides you.

This is what creepy people do. Don’t be creepy people.

#5: Letting the door shut in the face of the person you know works in the cubicle next to yours.

This sometimes happens when you aren’t aware of who is approaching the elevator but if you know that the person approaching the elevator works upstairs, or better yet, on your floor like three cubicles away, you shouldn’t let the door shut on them. Be a nice person and hold the door. Because all this will do is make your coworker think that not only are you the giant jerk who puts people down in meetings but you’re also the inconsiderate person who doesn’t hold the elevator.

That’s all for now, but I am sure there will be more to come.