Elevator Etiquette

Elevator Etiquette - as part of the expert series by GeoBeats. Here are a few tips on elevator etiquette. One, when you are standing out waiting for an elevator to arrive, stand to the side. More than likely, there is going to be people on the elevator that will be getting off on the floor that you are on, so allow them to do so. If they are getting off, and again you are on the outside, put your hand out to keep sure that that door is open and that way it will allow them to get off the elevator in a timely and unhurtful manner. Once you are on the elevator, again either put your arm out to hold the door or there are buttons on the elevator screen that says "Door open" and "Door closed" - preferably you are going to push the one that says "Door open" to allow other people to get on the elevator that came in after you. If you are standing by the panel, ask if you can select someone's floor for them and push the button. And again, if that individual is getting off and you are still continuing your ride, push the button for "Door open" - that will again allow them to get off the elevator in a safe manner. When somebody gets on the elevator, you do not have to be overly friendly with a big smile and asking 20 questions. A simple nod and a smile in your eyes will be fine. If you are on the elevator for business and you and your counterpart just came from a great meeting, make sure that you keep those conversations for when you get into the car. Do not make any comments about who you met, what the conversation was about, and do not make any dialogue at all about what just occurred. I have been on many elevators where I have seen people make bad comments, and they do not have any idea who I am. Riding the elevator in rules has no gender, so if you are a lady, do not expect a gentleman to hold that door for you - it goes both ways. Make sure that you are both just pleasant and comfortable, and that you are two business people, or two just human beings trying to help each other out. Do not be offended if someone does not hold the elevator for you. Just get on, smile and ride. Also, if you are on the elevator when someone steps in, make sure that you make room for them. There is nothing more uncomfortable than someone standing a little bit closer than in your space. Now there is going to be times where you may be on that elevator, the doors are starting to close, but you see out of the corner of your eye, someone running down the hall hoping to catch that same ride. Do yourself a favor and them - push that "Door open" button. They will be very pleased that you did, and you may have just saved their time and day. A situation that happened to me one day when I was riding the elevator, again, I am somebody that always just smiles or nods to someone. Well low and behold, someone that got on the elevator that day was not someone that I knew, but I did meet him about 15 minutes later. He was the CEO of the company, and he remembered that I had made eye contact and had just acknowledged him briefly. That closed the deal - he realized that me being that personal was going to give him excellent service between our two companies.