Wait Your Turn

I understand being in a hurry or walking fast. I walk fast, talk fast, listen fast, and think fast. Most event planners do. However, there are certain moments in one’s life when you have to pause for just a second. I’m talking about when the elevator doors open. You understand that in order for you to get in, others need to get out first, correct? There isn’t endless available space in an elevator. The sliding door is only so wide. The way these things work is… those inside the elevator get out then you get in.

The same principal applies to the shuttle taking you from the airplane terminal to baggage claim after you’ve landed at your destination for that family reunion. The phenomenon also occurs on the train going downtown to meet your friends for dinner or as you board the Amtrak to travel across the country to visit your grandmother.

It takes but a mere fraction of a second to look into the space as the elevator doors open to ensure that nobody is there trying to get out before you barrel your way in. Yes, it will require you to look up from your phone, the floor, your shoes, or other imaginary “thing down there” keeping you from engaging with another person. I was just about plowed over recently by a business professional carrying a box, which I assume was too heavy for her, as she didn’t even consider there could be another person on the planet when the elevator doors opened.

I can understand if a little child goes running in, they haven’t yet grasped the concept of an elevator and are super excited to be having this new experience. I can even possibly understand the behavior from someone who doesn’t travel much and perhaps hasn’t seen an elevator in a while. However, a business professional at a trade show headquarters hotel, wrapping it up, moving the remaining supplies out of her room at the end of the week has most likely done this a time or two and should understand that, if nothing else, there are other professionals trying to do the same, and, mind you, using the elevator. No excuse for this person to be so self absorbed she can’t be bothered to wait the courteous millisecond before pushing her way onto the elevator before we can get out.

Oddly, most of the time people can manage to function when the door opens and closes with a push or pull motion which, by the way, requires effort. The sliding elevator doors just open automatically. We don’t need to think about whether to push or pull so those few brain cells can be redeployed to remind us to look before we leap. We won’t get into a discussion about the revolving door here, that’s for another day.

I write all this to remind those who ride elevators, shuttles, trains, EL’s, and buses that if everyone does their part, puts their phone down, looks up, and hesitates for just a second before getting in to allow for the people already occupying the space to get out, things will flow a lot faster and smoother. I mean, really, how often do you encounter an empty elevator in a public space? No way to know. You might as well look first.

Have you had a crazy elevator encounter? I’d love to hear your story!
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