Q&A - Question and Answer Guides

Lift, Elevator Etiquette - What you Can Do, Can't Do, Naughty Things

Why is the lift or elevator such an awkward, uncomfortable and unfriendly place where everyone feels so obliged to stick to the unwritten rules of lift or elevator etiquette?

People are crammed together and their personal space is violated, like cattle or sheep crammed into in a truck. The body language in lifts is a linguist's or psychologist's delight as everyone tries to observe the unwritten rules on how people should behave.

Lifts are class or status neutral - everyone has to use the same set of lifts and everyone is forced together 'up close and personal'. We're all in this together.

There is perhaps no other place where this happens. Senior executives avoid public transport, and other public places, but in lifts they are squeezed together with the masses. The average lift or elevator ride may only lasts a minute or less, but it is such a wonderful opportunity to study human behavior and to have some fun with it.

Learn how to push the people's own buttons during these rare uninvited intrusions into travellers' personal space by challenging the unwritten code of etiquette. Have you been shocked by the rare occasions when people actually break the unwritten code by conducting a conversation, facing away from the doors, playing loud music or blatantly trying to sell something? Well now is the time to learn all about it and have some fun with it - subtly of course or you may get bullied or worse! This article discusses the Do's, Don'ts of lift etiquette for those who want to adhere to it. It also discusses the Things to Try, as well as ways to have Fun in Lifts by challenging all the rigid silly rules and practices.

The main problem with lift travel is that people cannot maintain their normal personal space. This creates the need for all sorts of defensive mechanisms

Intimate: 0 to 18 inches | 0 to 46 cm 
Personal: 1.5 to 4 feet | 0.5 to 1.25 m
Social: 4 to 10 feet | 1.25 to 3.1 m
Public: beyond 10 feet | beyond 3 m

How to Avoid Intruding 

Stand as far away from others in the lift as possible:

• 2 people - on opposite sides facing the door
• 3-4 people - take your corners
• More than 4 people, stand as far away from everyone as possible and all face the door.
• Try to become taller, thinner and cram hands in pockets. Brief cases and arms should hang down in front of the body (assume the 'fig leaf' position).
• Don't touch people unless the lift is so over-crowding that you are forced to make contact. If absolutely necessary only the shoulders and upper arms can touch. Keep your arms out in front to stop anyone backing into you and touching the front of your body - the back is OK in pinch.
• If you are going many floors stand at the back, for a short ride stand near the door
• Everyone must face the door
• Avoid large body movements.
• Lower your tone and pitch of voice and if you must speak whisper - but any talking is frowned upon
• Look at the floor, the progress display lights or the buttons to decrease eye contact. You can text in lifts but someone at the back will be looking over your shoulder. Making a cell phone call is a no-no.
• The more people that are in elevator, the more your body language should be diminished. Remain very still and absolutely quite and try to forget that you are not wearing a deodorant. Try to breathe as little as possible so people aren't exposed to your bad breath or smoking odors.

Fun things to try:

• Face the side or even the back of the lift
• Stand in the center or pack one side of the lift
• Stand right in front next to the doors, no matter how far you are travelling
• Fold your arms in front of your chest
• Hum an aggressive tune to yourself

Facial Expressions and eyes contact

Usually, most people on an elevator assume a self-talk mode, that is they adopt a "I am thinking about my day and what I'm going to do next when I leave the lift", or they may assume a "I'm planning for tomorrow pose". Everyone knows what they are really thinking about - making character judgements and performing character assassinations about their fellow lift travellers, with very shifty glances. People feel obliged to look at their hands, stare or gaze at the ground, stare at the button panel, stare at the floor progress indicator lights, the closed doors, the lights in the roof. Some read a document or something else they have brought with them. But watch the furtive glances, because everyone cheats and wants to snoop.

Women and men have a different approach to how to make eye contact in an elevator.

• Men prefer to avoid all eye-contac
• Women have to know who will be entering their personal space, and need to make some contact, so they will attempt a quick glance or even a smile.

The most common facial expression made in an elevator is the blank "non-expression," which is used by most people to keep strangers at a safe distance (even dogs use it). The blank stare is what we use to maintain our "private space" . It is a similar one he what we use at the dentist - "Do not disturb me, I'm uncomfortable here"

Fun Things to Try

• Look directly at someone with a blank burning gaze, but focus right through them to the wall beyond them. When they notice just smile, but keeping looking that way as if you cannot look anywhere else!
• Stare at the Roof with a concerned look - see how many people follow the lead - catch them out they are not supposed to be looking at you.
• Pull a silly face. Everyone engages in shifty, furtive glances - catch them out!
• Keep completely still, but make furtive glances with your eyes to try to catch someone looking at your eyes. Then immediately stare that at the person next to them or at the ceiling, only moving your eyes and after a second or two glance back an see what they are looking at. Keep doing it!

Other Rules - Yes These are Serious Rules and Etiquette !

• If at all possible, refrain from using your cell phone on the elevator.
• Take the stairs if you are going less than two floors up or down, unless you are carrying heavy packages, or are injured or disabled.
• While waiting to board the elevator, stand away from the doors. Someone may be exiting at this floor, and you should ALWAYS let them exit before you attempt to board.
• Courageous and limb threatening attempts to reverse a door that has started to close by poking out an arm of leg is expected and it is very rude not to try despite the risks.
• If you are standing near the buttons, be willing to push a button for someone who asks if you can. Unless you can clearly push the button yourself, don't ask someone else to. It's rude unless their the door man.
• Give people their space, if possible. There is nothing more annoying than having someone stand six inches from you on an un-crowded elevator. If the elevator is crowded, give as much space as you can without crowding others or yourself.
• Stay farthest from the door if you will be the last person to step out. If you are travelling to the ground or top most floor, its better to stand farthest from the elevator doors after you board the lift. This way you will avoid inconveniencing others.
• DO NOT under any circumstances break wind (fart) even if that means your face turning purple. It will only embarrass you and cause a mixed response of hilarity, ridicule and disgust. Don't even be tempted to do it 'silently'. Your facial expression will always give the game away.
• Break the ice politely if you wish. It never hurts to say "Good Morning" or "Hello" to people. This will help break the tension and deafening silence and chances are no one else is going to do it. However, this is not a necessary step, and don't say things that might freak people out.
• Exit quickly when you reach your floor. Get out quickly so that those waiting to board can do so. Don't worry about letting other people off first, because that might be a cue for "door hoverers" (people who are boarding, who crowd you when trying to exit). Simply exit in a quick and orderly fashion.
• The person standing right next to the control panel is NOT the lift operator. If a lift is extremely crowded, they might choose to take on that role anyway and ask you what floor you want them to press but usually you should press it yourself and not simply say, "Hey, mate diva mind pressing '4' for me. Ta". In lifts which aren't crowded, it's your responsibility to press your own button
• Don't use a mobile phone in a lift which is occupied. It's bad manners. In fact, unless everyone in the lift knows each other, it's rather impolite to hold any kind of conversation whatsoever if, say, you're in the lift with a colleague. Most lift conversation will usually be with strangers, should be kept to a minimum and mostly be of a very general (and often boring nature), e.g. "wasn't that rain bad this morning?"
• Hold the door if someone is coming in...within reason of course. If someone is coming from outside of the elevator and may want to get on, it's good elevator etiquette to hold the elevator for them and ask them if they want a ride. However, don't hold the door for minutes for a friend or colleague who has taken a quick "side-trip" such as to get coffee, go to the restroom, etc. Never hold the door more than one round (15-20 seconds) on a crowded elevator. You're holding people up.

things to Try (While waiting for the lift).

• On arrival in the lift area, press both the up and down buttons. If the lift is empty and heading down, when you get in you can make it go up. Keep pressing the up or down button over and over again, and act very impatiently - watch people's reaction. The aim is to convince them that the lift will come quicker if more people press the button. This really annoys some people.
• If there are multiple lifts, start a game of 'Lift Lotto'. Say "I'll put a dollar on Lift 3 coming first". Some people think they know the priority sequence and so they will pick the favorites.

Fun Things to Try (Inside the Lift):

• When it arrives, run into the doorway to avoid missing out. This adds to the turmoil as the people squeeze past you.
• Groom Yourself - Most lifts have a mirror so this time in the elevator a great time for a check or to touch up using your make-up mirror. Don't worry about the other people in the lift - they can wait.
• When listing to music really bop along and shake you head, even tap the beat on the lift railing. Some people play their music so loud that you can hear it as it leaks from the headphones.
• Read the newspaper and open it out so it rests on your neighbour.
• Start texting one floor before you are due to get out - hiding the screen so no one can see you are pretending. Then when you arrive, act like an 'unguided missile' and force everyone to dodge around you. Stop in the doorway to finish texting for a second or two, before getting on your way. - extremely annoying!
• Make weird noises - If you are bored or just plain happy - hum a little tune or a use a soft breathy whistle.
• Make mini jumps or rocking movements as the lift stops at each floor. You can simply flex at the knees. This makes it seem that the lift is shuddering or bumping, even though its not. It is surprising how many people will start doing the same thing - cushioning their fall as the lift comes to a stop.
• Put on disposable gloves to push the dirty buttons - seriously they are extremely dirty, and the hand-rails - Yuk! Or stay in the centre of the lift and say:" Can you please press button 4 for me, as I don't like to touch the buttons".
• Eat and Drink Coffee - Although its frowned upon, the time in the lift is great for consuming. Think of all those lovely food aromas you've enjoyed in the lift. Why not join them.
• If you are being squeezed too much try a little sneeze or cough and notice how effective it can be to get a little extra room.
• When someone gets out after only travelling one floor roll your eyes, and emit a little 'Tut Tut' and shake you head to make them feel guilty for not using the stairs.
• Operate the door "close" and "open" buttons incompetently - when someone is rushing to get the lift, push the door close button by mistake, and say 'Ah sorry'. Or hold the lift for very distant people and make them rush, even if they wave you away. You will be a hero, but everyone in the lift will be annoyed for having to wait, and will be too polite to say anything. As soon as you get in the lift push the 'door close' button - you're late, very very late!
• Set up an alternative funny ring tone on your phone and trigger it. Apologise and be very apologetic as it fades without being answered. Everyone thinks you a hero because you did not answer it. If you are really brave pretend to answer you mobile phone, complain about the lousy reception and say " Can you Hear Me? You're Breaking UP. Sorry I'm in the Lift - I'll call you back" - at least twice.
• Mention loudly as the lift shudders "They had lifts like this on the Titanic".Or say"Please turn off your mobile phones as they may interfere with the elevator navigation system".
• Whenever a guy in a dark suit gets on board, hum the James Bond theme.
• When arriving at your floor, strain and grunt to yank the doors open - people will think they are broken