Riding In Elevators

I’m not a big fan of elevators. They’re generally small, closed in, dirty spaces or worse, they’re small, closed in, windowed spaces — perfect for the agoraphobic claustrophobic in all of us. Mostly I don’t like the fact that inevitably someone seems to invade my space in them.

I was extremely excited this weekend to see Today taking up the concern that Joe and Jane Public seem to have forgotten the unwritten rules of elevator etiquette which is simply respecting the shared space and common courtesy.

Where to stand

Upon entering the elevator, you should stand as close to a wall or corner as possible, this will help you and others distance yourselves from one another with a hearty buffer zone. When it comes to body language, you can reduce a spacial invasion if you eliminate large body movements, decrease eye contact and lower your tone and pitch of voice.

The more people that enter the elevator, the more your body language should get smaller. If you are going to a high floor, it will save everyone from sighing and bumping into each other if you just stand in the back. And if you are on one of the lower floors, please stand toward the front.

1-2 People: Separate

4 People: Each person should take a corner

5 or More People: Face the door, get taller & thinner, hands, pocketbooks, brief cases hang down in front of the body (fig leaf position), do not touch people unless over-crowding forces shoulders and upper arms to touch
Where to keep your eyes

Generally, most people on an elevator are in self-talk mode; thinking about their day or perhaps planning for tomorrow. They tend to gaze at the ground, the button panel, the closed doors, or they may quietly look at something they are holding in their hands. While avoiding visual contact is a means of avoiding interactions, women and men approach the issue of eye contact in this 4 x 4 boxed-in space differently. Men prefer to have no eye-contact with anyone inside the elevator, while the ladies need to know who they will be sharing this small space with, so they’ll give a quick glance and maybe even flash the giant of all gestures — a smile.

Also, the most common facial expression seen in an elevator is the “non-expression,” which is used by most of us to keep strangers at a distance. The blank stare is probably the only tool we have to maintain our “private space” — it sends the message, “DO NOT DISTURB!”
What to say or not say

Any time you’re talking on an elevator, take a moment for a reality check! Are you talking quietly or can the people on the outside of the elevator still hear you? Are you dropping F-bombs or talking about a private issue? Are you picking up on the negative non-verbal cues the other people are sending you (bending away from you, wrinkled noses, rolling eyes)? Do other people seem to be enjoying your story about your husband busting you cheating on him with his best friend or would they rather you take the 5th amendment?

Seriously, for the most part, conversations in the elevator are generally not recommended. But if you are the type of person that likes to talk to strangers in line at the grocery store and you must chat with people in the elevator, then keep the topic simple and light, i.e. I love your coat, your earrings are beautiful, or how about those Yankees?