Q&A for How to Practice Good Elevator Etiquette

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How can you safely board an elevator during COVID?

Tami Claytor
Etiquette Coach
Tami Claytor is an Etiquette Coach, Image Consultant, and the Owner of Always Appropriate Image and Etiquette Consulting in New York, New York. With over 20 years of experience, Tami specializes in teaching etiquette classes to individuals, students, companies, and community organizations. Tami has spent decades studying cultures through her extensive travels across five continents and has created cultural diversity workshops to promote social justice and cross-cultural awareness. She holds a BA in Economics with a concentration in International Relations from Clark University. Tami studied at the Ophelia DeVore School of Charm and the Fashion Institute of Technology, where she earned her Image Consultant Certification.

Tami Claytor

Etiquette Coach

Expert Answer

Wear your mask, and make sure you can stand on opposite ends of the elevator. Also, try not to get on an elevator with more than 3 people.

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Question

Should a man step aside to allow women to exit the elevator first?

Community Answer

If one feels chivalrous, yes, but don't feel offended if a male co-worker doesn't. We all have places to be.

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Question

What is the etiquette when waiting for the elevator and people are exiting? Is it proper to wait for those to exit before entering?

Community Answer

Yes. Stand to the right of the doors so everyone can exit. Once the elevator is empty, then you may board.

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Question

What if the elevator gets stuck?

Rawrfunkle Everbutt

Community Answer

Press the alarm button, call the fire department, sit there and wait patiently for them to arrive.

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Question

I freak out internally on lifts at the thought of being stuck with people, but I calm down when reading. Is it against lift etiquette to read?

Community Answer

If you feel more comfortable when you're reading, then it's fine. In an elevator, as stated in Part 2 Step 1, you shouldn't speak too much, so it would be better to read.

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Question

What is the etiquette for addressing breaches of proper etiquette? Most people in my high-rise building are pretty cool. A few are routinely inappropriate.

Community Answer

Tell them they are being inappropriate, and ask them to improve their etiquette. Don't speak in an angry tone, or they'll think you're snapping at them. Be nice.They may be tired or stressed. If they continue to be rude, tell someone. If it's a child who is being rude, speak to the parent. Don't start a fight, because conflict doesn't solve anything.

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Question

Is it okay to encourage people to get onto the elevator? In my building, people tend to pause and hesitate before getting on, thereby delaying the ride down.

Rawrfunkle Everbutt

Community Answer

It's always okay to encourage someone. If they back down, then that's okay, too.

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Question

What if there are dogs involved? Let's say I'm outside the elevator with 2, and a woman is inside with 1.

Tom De Backer

Top Answerer

Unless all dogs are well-behaved and calm, I would let the elevator go and wait for the next one. Even if yours are fine, you may not know about the other dogs, so I would let it go. People might want to come on as well on other floors, so to avoid all these things, I would really just let it go and take the next one.

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Question

If we reach the ground floor and everyone is getting out, does the one near the lift press the open button and wait for his turn after everyone is getting out?

Community Answer

The person closest to the lift presses the open button. If they do not, ask loudly: "Would you mind pressing that button or we cannot disembark from this lift and will have to live in close proximity to each other longer than is appropriate." Then the button presser must wait until the rest of the people file out, mostly because they need to remain in control of the button in case the doors start closing again.

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Question

If we reach the ground floor and everyone is getting out, does the one near the lift press the open button and wait for his turn after everyone is getting out?

Tom De Backer

Top Answerer

The proper way to do it is to make sure no one has to pass anyone else on the way to the exit. Let's say there are ten people, two rows of five. When the doors open, the two people closest to the doors exit first, then then next two, and so on until everyone is out. The doors have sensors for both movement and touch; if they start to close but the sensors still see movement between the doors, they will open again. Same if someone puts a little pressure on the door. So there is neither a need to press anything to open the doors, nor to hold them open.

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Question

After exiting on a floor from an older elevator with manual doors, should one close the inner door too, or leave it to other passengers still inside? Obviously one should close the outer one.

Community Answer

If there are passengers still inside, leave it open. If there are people getting on, leave it open. If you are the only one around, close it.

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Question

How can I get over my crippling fear of elevators (claustrophobia)?

Tom De Backer

Top Answerer

Learn about elevator safety and ride them more often. I have a children's toy tunnel; I often lay it down and put my legs in; I can't yet bear to pull it up to my chest, but I'm getting there. So take small steps. Stand in the elevator bay and watch the doors open and close before you take the stairs; that'll get you used to seeing elevators. Next, get on one, but hold the door open and get back off to take the stairs. Next, ride it one floor up. Don't do this at busy rush hour moments, though; take your time.

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Question

Why not eat in an elevator?

Noah

Community Answer

The smell of your food may linger in the elevator and cause issues for sensitive passengers.

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