OT: Elevator courtesy...

[AustinBoston]

There is a saying..."Minnesota Nice"...which means Minnesotans are typically kind and courteous to each other.  I've seen it, but people who have lived here for decades say it's almost gone.  It doesn't exist on Twin Cities metro highways (although it's much better than Boston).

But there's one place where I find myself flabergasted by the rudeness, and the real surprise is who is doing it.

In my business, it's not uncommon for me to be working in skyscrapers.  I worked in at least 10 in Boston, and in four years here in the Twin Cities I've had contracts in 3-4.  I've learned that clients in towers tend to pay higher rates.

Along the way, I've waited for a lot of elevators, and I've seen a lot of others wait in front of me.  It would seem obvious to me that common courtesy is to allow those that have been waiting the longest for an elevator to get on first, especially in buildings where the elevators are small.  An important factor here is the presence of the skyway system, which means "up" elevators arrive at the skyway lobby already half full (or more) from the ground floor.  Skyway riders sometimes have to wait for 2-3 elevators for a chance to get on.

But more and more, I see people effectively cutting in line to get on an elevator.  The way it works is 5-6 people will be waiting when an elevator arrives.  A few people will move towards the elevator but stand back enough to let others off.  As soon as the door opens, someone who just arrived will scoot into the elevator, taking the only available spot.  The people who have had to pass up a couple elevators just had their turn taken by someone who did not wait at all.

The surprising thing about this is who is doing it.  In the last six months, I have seen it happen about 20 times.  I don't know if I've seen anyone do it more than once; I do know it has been several different people.  I also know that 100% of them are women.

Is it the glass ceiling thing, or being aggressive to try to compete with men, or what?  Even clueless men (and nearly all women...this problem is caused by just a few) seem to know to wait their turn.

Is it a Minnesota thing?  I never saw this behavior in Boston.

Can someone help me out here?  What is going on?

Austin

[TheViking]

Since you are versed in elevator riding, have you ever heard of this?
 
If you get on an elevator, press and hold for 5 sec, the "Door Close" button, and the floor button you want to go to at the same time, it is supposed to put the elevator in Express mode and skip every floor regardless if there are people waiting for it. I'm going to try this in Vegas this weeknd.

[ldgregory]

Along the way, I've waited for a lot of elevators, and I've seen a lot of others wait in front of me.  It would seem obvious to me that common courtesy is to allow those that have been waiting the longest for an elevator to get on first, especially in buildings where the elevators are small.  An important factor here is the presence of the skyway system, which means "up" elevators arrive at the skyway lobby already half full (or more) from the ground floor.  Skyway riders sometimes have to wait for 2-3 elevators for a chance to get on.

Don't really have that problem here in ABQ. I think my building is the tallest at 17 floors and we have four elevators. Very rarely are they completely packed. However, one thing that does drive me nuts is people who try to get on before people get off. It got to the point that when I'm in the elevator (usually when I'm alone or with a couple co-workers) just before the door opens I lean forward a bit and take a brisk step towards the door so that they just clear my shoulders as I step out of the elevator. I'm a fairly big guy at 6'3" and 200 pounds. While I haven't completely run anyone down (as in knocking anyone down), people have collided directly into my chest trying to jump on the elevator.

Not trying to be sexist about it, but I have to agree with you when you say it's almost always women.

So is what I'm doing rude? I don't know. Maybe. It's just one of those pet peeves that really drives me nuts. I think the in-jumpers know they're in the wrong, because when we do collide or nearly so, they almost always apologize. I usually respond with "No problem". Ok... So I'm a liar too!

[ldgregory]

If you get on an elevator, press and hold for 5 sec, the "Door Close" button, and the floor button you want to go to at the same time, it is supposed to put the elevator in Express mode and skip every floor regardless if there are people waiting for it. I'm going to try this in Vegas this weeknd.

I've heard that before too. I've tried it in Otis made elevators and it doesn't work. However, I do know how that what you're describing will override a lockout on Otis manufactured elevators (i.e. someone locks the elevator to keep the doors open on a certain floor). I did that a couple times before when I couldn't figure out why the doors kept popping back open when I hit the close button. I don't do it anymore when I learned from a friend of mine (a security guard in my building) that the elevator lockout is still in effect, so when you get to your floor it stays there with the doors open. The only way to find out what floor the elevator is on for the person who locked it is to go to the first floor and look at the panel showing what floors the elevators are on.

[AustinBoston]

However, one thing that does drive me nuts is people who try to get on before people get off. It got to the point that when I'm in the elevator (usually when I'm alone or with a couple co-workers) just before the door opens I lean forward a bit and take a brisk step towards the door so that they just clear my shoulders as I step out of the elevator. I'm a fairly big guy at 6'3" and 200 pounds. While I haven't completely run anyone down (as in knocking anyone down), people have collided directly into my chest trying to jump on the elevator.

So is what I'm doing rude? I don't know. Maybe.

Maybe it is; but those not waiting for the exiters are being rude.  There is only so much space in the elevator; allowing others to get off (and make room for you) should be obvious.  The reason I didn't say anything about that issue is that I have seen it everywhere, not just here in the Twin Cities.

Austin

[AustinBoston]

If you get on an elevator, press and hold for 5 sec, the "Door Close" button, and the floor button you want to go to at the same time, it is supposed to put the elevator in Express mode and skip every floor regardless if there are people waiting for it. I'm going to try this in Vegas this weeknd.

Different elevators have different mechanisms; I don't experiment with unfamiliar elevators (i.e. all of them).  I don't want to find the elevator in a mode (such as "only stop at odd numbered floors") that I need a different code (that I don't know) to turn it off again.

Austin

[Old Goat]

The rude "getaheads" don't bother me nearly as much as the ones who silently break wind in a crowded elevator and then give you a disgusting look so other riders will think you did it.

[AustinBoston]

The rude "getaheads" don't bother me nearly as much as the ones who silently break wind in a crowded elevator...

:eyecrazy:  :eyecrazy:  :eyecrazy:

Now THAT should be illegal.  :eyecrazy:

Austin

[AustinBoston]

Happened again this morning...eight people waiting for an elevator (these only hold six)...elevator arrives, with three people already on it...first one on is the woman who was last to enter the elevator lobby.

Austin

[wavery]

Happened again this morning...eight people waiting for an elevator (these only hold six)...elevator arrives, with three people already on it...first one on is the woman who was last to enter the elevator lobby.

Austin

AB

You should apply for the job as "Elevator Monitor" :p