Touching and Closeness
In general, it is inappropriate to touch other passengers on purpose. If you should accidentally bump into someone with you baggage or parts of your person, immediately apologize for invading their personal space.
Always respect the personal space of the other passengers. Imagine an invisible buffer zone that extends about a foot from the person in all directions and keep out of that area. See where to stand, 2g.
If you board an elevator with your significant other, keep touching limited to hand-holding. Do not engage in a public display of affection while there are other passengers present. Intimate recreation in an empty elevator is discouraged, and should be conducted at your own risk. Other people do not want to see you in a compromising position when the doors open. Never use the emergency stop button for the purpose of having a private moment – there are plenty of places where you can get privacy without inconveniencing others.
>> Continue to: Once the Doors Close – Health Issues …
September 30th, 2005 at 1:15 am
When my gal pal Jill and I get on an elevator, we can’t help but use the emergency stop button for the purpose of enjoying a private and intimate moment. It’s wonderful.
October 3rd, 2005 at 7:16 pm
I have been teaching business etiquette for over 15 years and am appalled at the notion of what “Tim” is insinuating. In my classes, we role play these very situations and, believe me, there are ways of having these degenerates “found out”. Come on folks, really, is a little common decency so out of the question?
December 16th, 2005 at 12:43 pm
I live on a high floor in a building that has several brothels here in the heart of Belfast, Northern Ireland’s Red-Light District. Often when I board the lift there is some ‘inappropriate’ behavior going on – does Mr. Elevator Rules have any suggestions?
December 20th, 2005 at 3:44 pm
Mr. Jett Loe:
yes. have them go TO the brothel. not the other way around. they will probably save 10 quid anyway if they go there.
January 19th, 2006 at 12:54 am
If people exit the elevator, it’s generally good to do the “Elevator Shuffle”, wherein people move to their own corner, when possible. It’s a little unnerving when several people exit, and the elevator is nearly empty, but one person stays right next to you, even though you’re already in the corner.
January 19th, 2006 at 10:33 am
Love in an elevator
Livin’ it up when I’m goin’ down
Love in an elevator
Lovin’ it up till I hit the ground
January 19th, 2006 at 11:57 am
Wind should not be broken in an elevator, even if you are the only one in it. Especially if you have had garlic burritos for lunch.
January 19th, 2006 at 11:59 am
To Jett Loe,
Carry a CAMERA with you and soon as the doors open to some of that inappropriate behaviour, snap away … May embarrass some ppl enough to make them reconsider their behaviour (especially men who are out cheating on their spouses!)
January 19th, 2006 at 2:09 pm
Juliette don’t be such a square.
January 19th, 2006 at 3:04 pm
i second nelson. people like juliette lead a life of no color and constant criticism. “appalled”…god…
elevators are just the funniest things, arent they, gosh…
January 22nd, 2006 at 11:48 am
Darween: thank you for your advice – since I have a podcast I did the next best thing and podcasted out of the lift!
January 22nd, 2006 at 1:16 pm
I am planning a trip to Ireland. Can you be more specific about where I can find this wonderful wonderful elevator?
January 23rd, 2006 at 1:00 am
You do know that most elevators have video cameras in them now. so make sure you are smiling……..
January 23rd, 2006 at 10:25 am
does any one else notice that some of these rulz contradict each other?
January 24th, 2006 at 5:36 am
elevator with video cameras.. at least the gaurds have something to be entertained with. hahaha!
January 28th, 2006 at 6:17 pm
People always stand facing the door when in an elevator.I like to stand with my back to the door and watch them sqirm in discomfit at my display of contrariness.Try it sometime.
October 20th, 2006 at 8:18 am
funny, a metal box can cause such mass hysteria… sheesh…
April 15th, 2007 at 1:42 pm
what about posture/orientation? Everyone seems to face forward, but turning your back to your fellow passengers seems rude to me. And the alternative seems odd too.
April 15th, 2007 at 2:11 pm
Haha…I love this rule, because I most definitely don’t follow it.
A few months ago, me and this guy I met at a hotel with my family began to make out in the cornor of an elevator with a couple also in there. The couple wasn’t old, but not in their thirties anymore, either.
They had commented to each other that it was sweet to see such affection in the younger generations, since me and him were in are early teens, and our looks give it away. It was really nice, and then they shared a private moment, too.
I have gotten more…lewd…comments from doing that in front of different people, thuogh.
June 29th, 2007 at 5:29 pm
Same deal, if you value your personal space that much, take the stairs. Ever notice that even the smallest elevator the size of your broom closet has an capacity of 10 people and 1000 kg?
October 6th, 2007 at 5:19 pm
I think I have violated the no touch policy once but that was because the other guy who got on the elevator with us was drunk and it didn’t seem to mind much lol. Also, with the personal space, sometimes you are forced into this situation by many people cramming because your not the last one in. In these situations, I enjoy a bit of caressing :p