Elevator etiquette encompasses the refined conduct rules when using an elevator in a building, apartment complex, or public space. These include basic rules such as waiting courteously, yielding your space to others, and not overloading the elevator. These rules are typically set forth by building management with user consensus and input. This is to ensure that elevators operate smoothly, civilly, politely, and respectfully in crowded areas, fostering a responsible user community for shared property.
1. Elevator Etiquette Users Should Understand
The fundamental culture you need to understand extends beyond just the workplace or elevator use—it is a vital principle in building a civilized and respectful society. Adhering to these basic cultural norms plays a crucial role in establishing good relationships among individuals and creating a harmonious environment for everyone. Let's explore some essential cultural aspects that we should know with Benelifts S.r.l :
1.1 Elevator Etiquette While Waiting for the Elevator
When waiting in the lobby for the elevator, be cautious and avoid inadvertently causing discomfort to those around you. Specifically, pay attention to the following when standing in front of the elevator lobby:
When arriving at the elevator lobby and seeing the elevator closed or in operation, please wait politely. Do not repeatedly press the button to make the elevator arrive faster.
If the elevator is open and there are people inside, allow them to exit first before entering. This demonstrates respect and courtesy.
When preparing to enter the elevator, line up and maintain order. If you are travelling in the elevator with friends or colleagues, avoid being noisy and disturbing others in the same elevator.
Avoid blocking the passage or elevator doors while waiting. This ensures that everyone can move easily in the lobby area.
Always treat others politely and respectfully in the lobby. Please do not make noise, sing, behave improperly, or offend others.
Read and follow all instructions and notices related to elevator use. If there are instructions prioritizing care for the disabled or elderly, follow those guidelines.
When you see elderly people, children, or disabled individuals wanting to enter the elevator, prioritize letting them in first before entering yourself.
If the elevator is crowded, do not try to squeeze in as this may cause discomfort to those around you. Additionally, there are risks associated with overloading the elevator during the movement process.
Press the floor call button only once to avoid continuous pressing, as this can also affect the elevator's operation
1.2 Elevator Etiquette While Moving
If you enter first, stand close to the inside: When stepping into an elevator, if you are the first person or the one right behind, please pay attention to the empty corner inside the elevator so that those entering after you have a place to stand when entering the elevator. This is one of the most basic behaviors of elevator etiquette.
Please remove backpacks, bags when entering the elevator: The elevator itself has limited space for luggage, so when users leave backpacks or bags behind, the elevator becomes quite cumbersome, leading to less space for the next passenger to stand. Therefore, when using the elevator, we should hold our bags or backpacks as there will be more open space below the elevator instead of occupying space above.
Do not tamper with the elevator: This is considered an unconscious behavior, which will make the next users wait longer for the elevator and affect the elevator's operation process. Hacking/cheating the elevator or occupying the elevator cabin usually occurs in older elevator models, but nowadays this rarely happens as technology becomes more advanced.
No crowding: This is one of the prohibitive behaviors when using the elevator. Pushing and crowding show that you are uncultured and have poor awareness.
Do not make noise when using the elevator: When inside the elevator, maintain a polite attitude and manner of speaking. Since this is a public space where everyone participates and each person has their own story, if you answer the phone or speak to someone, try to create just enough noise to avoid causing a disturbance and affecting others' concentration.
Do not push or crowd others' seats: If this happens to you, it is considered rude elevator behavior and extremely poor awareness. You should queue up to use the elevator, so when the elevator is full or there is an urgent need to use it, you should behave in the most civilized manner and not vie for a seat when someone else is already standing in the elevator.
Maintain the general cleanliness of the elevator: One of the points to note about elevator etiquette is that users must maintain general cleanliness and not litter, avoid scratching or damaging the elevator when using it.
1.3 Elevator Etiquette
Let people exit the elevator first (if applicable): If someone inside the elevator wants to exit before you, please give way to them. This shows politeness and respect.
Avoid crowding or rushing people in the elevator: Refrain from pressuring or rushing people in the elevator. Let them exit the elevator naturally and comfortably.
Press the button for those exiting the elevator (if needed): If the person exiting the elevator doesn't see or can't press the button, you can help them press it. However, this should only be done if absolutely necessary and with their consent.
Exit the elevator politely and promptly: After reaching the desired floor and if you wish to exit the elevator, do so politely and quickly to not hinder others from using the elevator.
Leave the elevator in idle mode (if not in use): If you don't need to continue using the elevator and it's in idle mode, let the elevator go into energy-saving mode and wait for others to use it. Avoid standing in the elevator unless necessary and causing inconvenience to others.
The elevator is a public space where many people share the same space. Everyone's behavior affects the emotions and even the health of those around. Every community needs minimum cultural standards to ensure a comfortable environment for everyone. Through these small gestures, we can avoid causing discomfort and inconvenience to others, thereby creating a community that is always comfortable and friendly when using elevators.
In the image above, Benelifts S.r.l has just shared with you some interesting aspects of elevator etiquette. We hope this article can provide you with useful information so that we can together build and develop a civilized society. If you have any questions regarding elevator usage or if you need information about importing fully assembled European elevators, please contact us for free consultation.
Benelifts S.r.l
Address: Via Augusto Anfossi, 13 20135 Milano (Mi) - Italy
Hotline: +39 344 739 1374
Email: Info@benelifts.com
