Staff Writer Caylie has a solid game plan for elevator etiquette, and you’ll likely agree with it.

Let’s be honest with ourselves: people at Columbia don’t always have the best manners. Usually, I’d be okay with that. I know people have places to be and things to do, and New York City is a busy place. There’s rarely time for small pleasantries like “please” and “thank you,” and I imagine—or hope—that most people would be nicer if they had a little more wiggle room in their schedules. What I’m not okay with, however, is ignoring the most basic rules of civility when it comes to the most basic tasks—including, but not limited to, elevator etiquette.

To help our less socially adept friends out, I’ve compiled a list of the simplest things you can do to make the elevator journey a better experience for everyone on campus.

Step 1: If you don’t have to take the elevator, please use the stairs.

In buildings like Hamilton, where there is only one slow and small elevator, line lengths and wait times can get pretty astronomical. Generally speaking, if you have a class that only requires you to go up at most two flights of stairs, then you’re better off taking them. 

Step 2: Let the people on the elevator get off first.

Don’t stand in the way of the elevator door, or else they’ll struggle to get out! Step to the side and let them out first. Step to the side even if you don’t think anyone is on the approaching elevator. Under no circumstances should you bum-rush the elevator door. It’s better to be safe than sorry!

Step 3: Get on the elevator, being mindful of the people-to-car ratio.

Make sure you’re prioritizing people with disabilities; they should get on the elevator before anyone else. Don’t make assumptions about someone’s disability or lack thereof either—not all disabilities are visible!

If it is already crowded, please wait for the next run. Arrive five to ten minutes earlier than you normally would if you’re worried about getting to class on time. If there is still a little room to squeeze into, take off large items like your backpack and hold them at waist level so that you don’t hit the person behind you. 

Step 4: Don’t take calls. Don’t wear loud cologne. Don’t stand in the way. Don’t be a nuisance!

This is the most controversial step but, in my opinion, one of the most necessary ones. In order to make sure everyone’s ride goes smoothly, make some common sense decisions based on the close proximity and enclosed space. Sound is extra loud in elevators—don’t take calls. You can smell everything in an elevator—don’t layer on the perfume. People need to get off on floors before you—don’t stand in the way. In general, just make smart choices on the elevator: consider what may annoy you, and then don’t do it. It’ll take 30 seconds out of your day, but you’ll make sure you won’t ruin someone else’s entirely.

Step 5: Get off the elevator in an orderly fashion.

This step is perhaps the most intuitive one but also one of the ones that I see tossed aside most often. Use the big, beautiful brain that Columbia accepted you for: let the people in the front of the car exit before the ones in the back of the car. This also necessitates that you try to stay at the front if you’re getting off on a lower floor and at the back if you’re on a higher floor. 

Step 5.5: Celebrate a job well done!

Pat yourself on the back for a job well done, and that’s it—you’re now elevator etiquette-trained! Go and ride those elevators to your heart’s content, my lovelies!

Elevator images, stair image, celebration image via Bwog Archives