Elevator etiquette

[Upgradable]

Is there any place on earth more awkward?

So, do you stare at the ceiling? Study your nails? Keep your eye on the floor indicator? Or, certainly not, chat with the other riders?

(I'm feeling my inner Dancing Fire this morning!)

 

[April20]

I watch the floor indicator generally. I hate an elevator crowded with people, jostling each other, everyone trying to get the best spot to get out on their floor. So I just try to get in the front corner, stare at the floor indicator and get out as soon as possible.

My biggest pet peeve with elevator etiquette is people that shove their way on before you can get off on your floor. Makes me absolutely crazy.

 

[kenny]

I usually sing or tickle people.

 

[Haven]

My college roommate and I had some really fun elevator games. I don't play them anymore, because you know, I'm an adult, but we had a blast with them when we were in undergrad.

Our favorite was this: One of us would open up our purse and start talking in a baby voice to a little being in there, and the other would answer from the other side of the elevator.

Another was that we would buy cases of beer, put two chairs in the back elevator in our dorm, and ride up and down all night drinking beer and sharing cans with the people who joined us. That was always a lot of fun. We called them elevator parties.

Sometimes we would stand on opposite ends of the elevator, face each other, and glance sideways at the other person in there, make knowing looks to each other, nod, and act really official.

I think we came by our elevator obsession honestly. On our very first night of college, which happened to be the night we first met, we hopped onto an elevator with these guys who lived on our floor. They said "Hey! Let's see how many people we can fit in the elevator!" We said "Yes! Let's!" I don't remember how many people piled on, but I do remember being stuck in between floors in that elevator for several hours because we weighed too much. Someone had a Sharpie on him, so we pried the doors apart and all signed our names on the wall. One of the girls in there said she was claustrophobic, but that just made me wonder why she got on in the first place.
Of course, my core group of best friends from college became half of the people who were stuck in that elevator with me. It was a very important elevator ride in my life.

Now I just get in, smile at my companion, and read whatever book I have in my hands at the time. I'm not rude anymore, I promise.

 

[Upgradable]

Oh, Haven!! I would LOVE to ride the elevator with you! I love the elevator party idea! Great way to enjoy a boring night and procrastinate studying!!!

 

[Haven]

Oh, Haven!! I would LOVE to ride the elevator with you! I love the elevator party idea! Great way to enjoy a boring night and procrastinate studying!!!

Being stuck in the middle of nowhere Illinois for four years does wonders for one's creativity, it really does.

 

[Upgradable]

Oh, Haven!! I would LOVE to ride the elevator with you! I love the elevator party idea! Great way to enjoy a boring night and procrastinate studying!!!

Being stuck in the middle of nowhere Illinois for four years does wonders for one's creativity, it really does.

THAT'S WHY we're so symptico!!!! I grew up in a small farm town south of Rockford! Where did you go to college? And what years?

 

[Haven]

I'm an ILLINI, baby! Class of 2002 and proud! Hail to the orange, hail to the BLUEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!

I spent many happy Thanksgivings at the Rockford Country Club. My aunt's (by marriage) parents lived in Rockford until they recently retired to California, and we spent Thanksgiving with them in Rockford every other year. Shooting' skeet is fun!

 

[Upgradable]

OMG!!! Hubby is an UofI alum too. Daughter is planning on attending starting in 2012! I've got to see if he knows of elevator games!

 

[Haven]

Excellent choice on your daughter's part. Two of my sisters are also alums, and they both loved it. The youngest defected and went to Iowa, we try not to hold it against her.

Your daughter will love it. I had so many wonderful experiences there, and now that the campus has undergone some face lifts it's looking pretty posh!

 

[Jennifer W]

I usually sing or tickle people.

Never, ever go to Glasgow.

I used to live on the 18th floor of a multi storey block in the Gorbals. Correct etiquette required you to offer whoever was in there with you a drag on your cigarette or a sip from your bottle. Really.

Jen

 

[LGK]

Um. I made a really terrible joke to DH when we were stuck in a very crowded elevator most recently, that was exceptionally off color and involved a leash and... well some stuff and whatnot and I really can't repeat it here. For some reason everyone escaped at the next stop. It was all awkward and horrid, literally we were mushed up against everyone else, and just one of those moments where I just *couldn't* leave well enough alone! Sometimes I have poor impulse control.

 

[Porridge]

Haven that sounds like a blast! How I miss college! We used to have some really fun games too.

Ugh I used to hate elevator etiquette! The awkward smile, the head nod, then avoiding eye contact for the rest of the journey.

Now I have an iPhone, so I just play with that

 

[amyholder]

I text make believe people and then about 30 seconds later I read their make believe response.

 

[oddoneout]

Don't pass gas or have horrible B.O. Also don't overshare.

 

[packrat]

Excellent choice on your daughter's part. . The youngest defected and went to Iowa, we try not to hold it against her.

hey now!

 

[Upgradable]

No malice on my part, Packy! I went to college in Cedar Rapids!

 

[zoebartlett]

I either stare at the floor or watch the numbers on the elevator go up or down. I do love eavesdropping on others' conversations though.

 

[MissMina]

I'm in the South so we generally exchange pleasantries.
"Good Morning"
"Lovely day"
"Which floor do you need"?
"Have a good one"

 

[Miss Sparkly]

had to laugh at this one. I am scared to death of elevators and will only ride one if another person is riding them (I'm working towards being okay with them). So, I stand in the corner, death grip on the bars and try not to pass out. Then, I run for the door when it stops. I have no clue what the poor other riders are thinking or doing!

 

[Karl_K]

sing the gas song :}

 

[heyme]

Elevator parties?! Genius!

I just stare at the thing saying what floor we're on/passing. Boring, I know.

 

[Luckyeshe]

Haven, I would love to have ridden elevators with you in your college years!

Now, I just stair at the ground or the light that stays what floor we're on....