Elevator Etiquette

in Reflections2 days ago

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It seems more and more these days people are completely self absorbed. It's pretty rare that I can walk through a store and not find myself ducking, dodging, and diving to avoid people. It's not that the places are busy either. It's just that people are in their own little world and have zero situational awareness. In fact, that's a large part of the reason @mrsbozz and I no longer go inside the store to get groceries. We used to have them delivered to our home, but now we just go and pick them up from the store.

I can't tell you the number of times I have been stuck in an aisle because people are having a full on phone conversation in front of the spaghetti sauce. Either that, or I have to quickly maneuver our cart to give someone the right of way because they aren't paying attention to the world around them. Of course, you know if they were to walk into me it would be my fault!

If I am being honest, my wife is occasionally the same way (don't tell her I told you that though).

However, this post isn't about grocery stores.

As I have mentioned in previous posts, a couple of weeks ago we were down in Ohio for my niece's high school graduation. Since there was a large group of family down there and due to some other reasons, we all decided to stay in a hotel. I already told you how nice the Embassy Suites is, but one of the things that is really nice about it is the fact that it has three elevators.

Sadly, it's pretty rare that all three of them are working at the same time. Despite that, they seemed to be in pretty good order at least for the first half of our weekend. As I found myself going up and down to the seventh floor (that's where our room was) of the eight floor building, I couldn't help but notice similar behavior from a large number of people in the hotel.

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It was interesting to see how different people acted when they rode on the elevator or waited for the elevator. It was like the rules of common decency had went out the window. It didn't matter what gender, race, age, whatever the people were, they all seemed to behave in pretty similar ways.

By far the biggest issues I witnessed had to do with proximity to the elevator doors.

For example, let's say you are on the bottom floor of a building and you hit the call button for an elevator to be sent down. You wait a little bit because all three are at various points up the building when suddenly the light comes on to the far left. By now there are several other groups of people waiting with you and as soon as they see that light come on, they all rush over to the left elevator to jump on board.

Can you guess what the problem is?

That's right, if the hotel, hospital, whatever is that busy that you had to wait for an elevator, there are probably people on said elevator coming down. This is where the problem lies. If there suddenly this large mob of people standing in front of the elevator, how are the people that are on it going to get off/out.

I literally witnessed this time and again how people would bum rush the elevator on the ground floor leaving the current passengers no option but to fight through the crowd to reach freedom.

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I've actually started to consider the option of giving up those amazing top floor views to be on the main floor or second floor in the future so we can just take the stairs and avoid the elevator all together. It's just kind of sad that people are so self centered these days that they can't take the time to think about the world around them and the other people who occupy it.

I'm trying not to make this a rant because I really don't want to be that guy, but more of a reflective plea for everyone to just be a little more aware of the world around them these days. I know it's hard, there is a lot going on. Things are crazy and getting crazier by the minute. One second of focus away from what you have going on can feel like you are suddenly spiraling out of control, but trust me, you will be okay.

Does it suck if you don't get on that elevator and you have to wait for another one? Yeah, it totally does. I've been there myself. I choose to believe that maybe that delay is the universe saving me from something horrible that may have happened. Then again, sometime stuff just happens.

Either way, let's all be a little more patient and give folks some space getting out of the elevator!


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I have witnessed similar scenarios at the shopping in my city.
This is one of the reasons I prefer taking the stairs, although it can be a bit hectic.
After all, the stress is worth than the mob one could possibly face in the process of using an elevator.

It's generally my inclination to take the stairs as well, but it doesn't always work out that way.

If there suddenly this large mob of people standing in front of the elevator, how are the people that are on it going to get off/out.

This drives me insane!! Finns are notorious for it - trying to get onto the elevator while people are trying to get out. Pushing onto the tram, while people are trying to get out... insanity.

It would seem being self absorbed is a global thing!

I only take elevators when I’m staying at hotels but honestly, if I can take the stairs, I will. Even here in malls, where elevators are available, I usually opt for the escalator. I’ve always felt that elevators should be prioritized for those who really need them like PWDs, elderly folks, pregnant women, and parents with strollers.

Thankfully, I haven’t had to deal with the kind of elevator chaos you described (yet 😅) Here, if someone’s standing near the doors and you need to get out, a simple “excuse me” usually does the trick. People move aside and give way without much fuss.

Reading your post made me realize how rare that kind of awareness can be. It’s wild how basic courtesy is often ignored. I get that people are in their own worlds, but a little patience and awareness go a long way.

!PIZZA

I would normally use the stairs as well, even on the seventh floor and especially going down, but I've found the older I get the more stuff I seem to travel with. I never really thought I would be one of those guys who needed those carts to get my stuff to my room, but here I am. Being married probably doesn't help. I'd argue 1/3 of the stuff is actually mine!

Waiting in any sort of disorganized line or que gives me anxiety for this reason. I'd probably just take the stairs even being on the 7th floor lol.

I choose to believe that maybe that delay is the universe saving me from something horrible that may have happened.

That's a good way of looking at it

Have you ever been in a crowded venue that is getting out for the night and it looks like the whole crowd is swaying like a wave? I always find that fascinating, even though I hate the experience altogether.

I know what you mean, yes! People sway quite a bit when they walk. They actually have to do calculations that factor that it when they design buildings to determine the amount and the distance between exits. People need a certain amount of space to be able to walk quickly and efficiently so it's important to factor in for fire protection and evacuation

Very interesting!

You’re right, the rush and stress of everyday life sometimes makes people forget basic manners. But it’s nice to know there are still some folks who remember to be kind and patient.

I have to catch myself sometimes, but I try!

Hmm... that gives me the idea of writing about elevator etiquette here. In the US, I never took the elevator, so I actually am not too aware of US elevator manners. Unless I had to go above the tenth floor (rare), I'd always take the stairs. Interestingly, taking the stairs isn't a common thing here. Sometimes I can't even find them! So I've gotten more used to taking the elevator in my years here.

Actually people in general are good here for elevators, but with trains... it all breaks down and I witness what you are talking about on a daily bases: the train pulls in, and everyone in line rushes the door so those inside wanting out have to fight their way out. It's nuts.

It's pretty horrible! Actually, where I live there aren't that many elevators, so it was never much of a thing. In fact, I still think there is only one escalator in the town where I grew up. Not the same thing I know, but basically just a whole lot of flat in my part of Michigan!

Haha that sounds familiar. In my hometown there was only one escalator. It was at the JC Pennies in the mall. It led to (more) women's clothes, so there was never any reason for me to take it, but sometimes I did anyway just because... escalator!

I hear you there about the escalator. Ours was in a museum that I used to love going to as a kid. I used to get sick on elevators, so they weren't usually that big of a deal for me.

Manners are not taught anymore. I hope I’m dead before this generation takes over.

I'm not sure I would go that far, but it is looking pretty grim!

PIZZA!

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Etiquette is gone bro... the whole damn world seems to have a "me first, me only" method of living these days. Elevators drive me crazy in Vietnam as even on the ground floor the people rush the gate as if the people inside were just going to ride back up with them. When me and my bowling crew are there we are all kind of large foreigners and we don't want to start a fight or anything but we rush the door once it opens and have to physically create a wall in order for the people already in the elevator to be able to get out.

I dont understand the panic. Things would actually move faster if people would just be courteous. These days I see human behavior and feel like these are the actions of children, not adults but honestly, outside of environments that consist almost entirely of the elderly, courtesy and patience just seems to be gone.

BTW the Embassy Suites is my earliest memory of staying in a nice hotel when my father had a traveling job that his company paid for. I thought my dad was rich and famous it was so nice in my young eyes. I believe it is just kind of middle of the road hotel though, isn't it?

Ever stayed in a Residence Inn? I really liked those.