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Appropriate Elevator Etiquette (And What to Avoid)
What goes up must come down. And what goes around comes around. Which basically means if you live in a high-rise apartment and take the elevator every day, it’s important to use good apartment elevator etiquette. Read on for some unwritten elevator rules you should follow — or you might end up running into closed doors!
Plan ahead
Appropriate elevator behavior requires thought and planning. Here are some things to think about before you push any buttons.
- Make sure everyone in your group is ready to get on the elevator before you press the call button.
- Don’t stand directly in front of the elevator doors while you wait. Leave enough space for people to exit the elevator. Wait until everyone has gotten off who needs to before you board.
- If you are moving furniture or large items, reserve the service elevator. That way you won’t inconvenience your neighbors by making them wait for you to load and unload.
Get off to a good start
Appropriate elevator behavior should be in effect the minute you step through the doors. Here are some smart tips.
- If you see or hear someone approaching the elevator after you’ve stepped on, hold the elevator by pressing the Open Door button.
- If you can’t reach the button for your floor, ask someone to press it for you. Don’t reach over people to press the button yourself.
- If you are the person standing near the button panel, offer to press the appropriate floor button as new people get on.
- Don’t stand too close. Move to the walls of the elevator first and then fill in the space. Give people plenty of room to move, if you can.
- If you are carrying large packages or a stroller, don’t cram into a full elevator. Wait until an empty or nearly empty one is available.
- Avoid using your cell phone on the elevator. Also, turn down the volume on your music player. (Not everyone wants to hear your conversation or favorite song.)
- Break out your social skills and say hello to your elevator neighbors. You might run into these folks again, so be friendly, but don’t feel like you have to start up a long conversation.
Leave a good impression
Even if you were a model elevator rider during your trip up or down, don’t forget to make a proper exit.
- Ladies first is always a good rule. Gentlemen should step aside to allow women to exit first.
- In a crowded elevator, it’s polite to step outside to let someone exit, then re-board the elevator.
- Don’t push and shove your way to the door. Announce that this is your floor, say excuse me and give other elevator riders time to step aside.
Final faux pas
A few final words for the wise elevator passenger — and this is the biggest elevator mistake that you should try to avoid:
No strong odors in the elevator! This could mean perfume, cologne, stinky food, sweaty shirts and, well, you know what else.
If you ride elevators every day at home and at work, check out more elevator rules and office elevator etiquette, as well.
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