Elevator etiquette
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Bottom right corner of USA
Programs: HH-Diamond VIP, Marriott-Platinum, Priority Club-Platinum, Delta-Gold
Posts: 58
Elevator etiquette
More and more I encounter people standing in my way as I attempt to exit an elevator. It's mostly in hotels, but rarely in office buildings. I usually just hesitate, and they stand aside, but not always, and especially if they are children. What is wrong with these people? It should be common sense that those departing need to exit first before allowing entrance to new "passengers".
Any ideas on this matter?
Any ideas on this matter?
#2
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: LAX
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold but PlatPro thanks to LPs
Posts: 4,439
Learn how to say "Excuse me, please" in the local language.
#3
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Programs: Hyatt Diamond, Fairmont Platinum, Aeroplan Diamond, HHonors Gold, SPG Gold
Posts: 18,686
I'm a pretty big guy.. so if they don't move.. I just say excuse me.. and get out before they get in..
#4
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Seattle, Washington USA
Posts: 972
More and more I encounter people standing in my way as I attempt to exit an elevator. It's mostly in hotels, but rarely in office buildings. I usually just hesitate, and they stand aside, but not always, and especially if they are children. What is wrong with these people? It should be common sense that those departing need to exit first before allowing entrance to new "passengers".
Any ideas on this matter?
Any ideas on this matter?
#5
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: OSH/ATW
Programs: Mileage Plus Silver, Marriott Rewards Lifetime Titanium
Posts: 258
The few times I have run into this I just stand in the exit blocking the other party from getting on and not saying a word... kind of a jerk move, but I guess I always excuse myself when I forget that there may be people trying to get off and I'm not paying attention.
Another item I have noticed...
Allowing women on/off the elevator first... that's old school etiquette, but I practice it. I didn't know that was one of the rules till a co-worker set me straight a couple years ago.
Non-etiquette, but common sense... taking the stairs if you are on the 2nd floor. I always laugh to myself when I see someone who looks like they've been waiting 10 minutes get on at the 2nd floor headed to the 1st floor. Not someone with luggage in tow, just someone who couldn't figure out that it takes 30 seconds to use the stairs.
Another item I have noticed...
Allowing women on/off the elevator first... that's old school etiquette, but I practice it. I didn't know that was one of the rules till a co-worker set me straight a couple years ago.
Non-etiquette, but common sense... taking the stairs if you are on the 2nd floor. I always laugh to myself when I see someone who looks like they've been waiting 10 minutes get on at the 2nd floor headed to the 1st floor. Not someone with luggage in tow, just someone who couldn't figure out that it takes 30 seconds to use the stairs.
#6
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: PEK
Programs: A3*G, UA Gold EY Silver
Posts: 8,956
Run people over . Do it once and they won't stand in the way again . I occasionally have to do this in metros where people try to get on before letting everyone off. This ticks me off especially if the train just got to the last stop and is about to go back and has at least a few minutes at the terminus before heading back and you have people who need to get on first. If they don't have any courtesy I don't either.
#7
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 6
I hate this, it's not like they're gonna get to their faster if they keep people from getting off.
#8
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 1,508
This is a symptom of the sickness that has unfortunately infected society. People don't give a s**t about their fellow man anymore.
#9
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: SNA
Programs: UA 1MM, Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 189
Break wind, exit elevator, wish those you had to step around a good day.
#10
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: STL
Posts: 1,546
A few simple rules for riding an elevator:
1. Don't fart. Seriously. I shouldn't even have to list this one.
2. Inside voices. You're in a 8'x5' enclosed box at best, you don't need to yell at the person standing next to you.
3. There's a reason why cell phones don't work well in elevators, and it's the same reason they don't work in planes - because whatever deity you may or may not believe in designed it that way as to not completely annoy people. Therefore, don't walk into an elevator yapping on the phone and then yell "HELLO? HELLO? CAN YOU HEAR ME? I'M IN AN ELEVATOR! I THINK I MIGHT DROP THE CALL! ARE YOU THERE? HELLO?"
4. Let people out before you get in. It's best to let the small, enclosed box empty out first and then go in, rather than shove twice as many people in the enclosed space.
1. Don't fart. Seriously. I shouldn't even have to list this one.
2. Inside voices. You're in a 8'x5' enclosed box at best, you don't need to yell at the person standing next to you.
3. There's a reason why cell phones don't work well in elevators, and it's the same reason they don't work in planes - because whatever deity you may or may not believe in designed it that way as to not completely annoy people. Therefore, don't walk into an elevator yapping on the phone and then yell "HELLO? HELLO? CAN YOU HEAR ME? I'M IN AN ELEVATOR! I THINK I MIGHT DROP THE CALL! ARE YOU THERE? HELLO?"
4. Let people out before you get in. It's best to let the small, enclosed box empty out first and then go in, rather than shove twice as many people in the enclosed space.
#11
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 80
i rarely see people not move out of the way to let people out and the people waiting to get on to let the people out.
i do have two elevator annoyances though.
1. the "no, you first" gesture between men. Neither get on as they try to out-kind each other and then the doors start closing forcing both men to dive into the elevator. I don't know why we have to be so chivalrous at this moment when there is a time sensitive moment of the door closing. each elevator is different.
2. the person who slides his arm in on closing doors. it happens frequently and is the most entitled, "i'm important, i can't wait for any of the other elevators that will be here in less than 30 seconds." no one ever says anything either. It's the jerkiest of jerk moves. Just wait. if you are so late that you can't spare 30 seconds, the tardiness is on you. and you should adjust accordingly.
i do have two elevator annoyances though.
1. the "no, you first" gesture between men. Neither get on as they try to out-kind each other and then the doors start closing forcing both men to dive into the elevator. I don't know why we have to be so chivalrous at this moment when there is a time sensitive moment of the door closing. each elevator is different.
2. the person who slides his arm in on closing doors. it happens frequently and is the most entitled, "i'm important, i can't wait for any of the other elevators that will be here in less than 30 seconds." no one ever says anything either. It's the jerkiest of jerk moves. Just wait. if you are so late that you can't spare 30 seconds, the tardiness is on you. and you should adjust accordingly.
#12
Join Date: May 2004
Programs: BA blue, LH Senator, KQ (FB) gold
Posts: 8,215
The same rationale once applied to stairs. A man was to position himself so that if the woman fell, he would be able to catch her.
#14
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Palm Beach/ New England
Programs: AA EXP 3MM, DL GM, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 4,382
Also, the man always enters the revolving door first, but never a standard door. If needed, he should comment, let me start this revolving door for you as he enters first.
#15
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Newport Beach, California, USA
Posts: 36,062
2. the person who slides his arm in on closing doors. it happens frequently and is the most entitled, "i'm important, i can't wait for any of the other elevators that will be here in less than 30 seconds." no one ever says anything either. It's the jerkiest of jerk moves. Just wait. if you are so late that you can't spare 30 seconds, the tardiness is on you. and you should adjust accordingly.