Elevator Job

I've never thought of pushing buttons on the elevator as being an issue. Whatever works at the time is OK with me. I don't see the need to have protocol for pushing the button.

I think we should all be polite beings that offer to push the button before we are asked to... Is it really that hard?

How very Seinfeldian...

If you don't want to be assumed to be the button pusher, get away from the panel. If the elevator is crowded, just expect to push some buttons if you're closest to the panel. Not really something to get your panties into a twist over, right?

I'm trying to imagine what you want the person entering the crowded elevator to say, and how the offer is supposed to go. Like, "gee, I wish I could get to the panel to push that button but I can't...it sure would be nice if someone could push it for me" and the other person says "Oh, I'll push it for you, what floor would you like?" Seems like an annoying waste of time and words when "could you please press 8," or even "8, please" would suffice.

If anyone is irritated that they have to *gasp!* push a button, I'd think that had a very sad life. Just sayin'.

is this a serious question?

If it is crowded, I would feel it would be rude to try to push your way to the buttons... you can politely ask "Could you push the 5th floor, please?" Most people would be very willing to comply.

Usually, people don't hover by the buttons unless the elevator is crowded... this allows people to push the buttons themselves.

I've pushed buttons for other people many times, whether it was crowded or not... I wasn't offended. I try to help people, even with little things.....

Geeze...my kids used to fight over pushing the button. I never thought it might be an imposition to ask someone to do it for me:). I think a good rule is who or whom ever is the closest to the buttons pushes it. If someone doesn't want the job then don't stand next to it:). I may post a set of guidelines and protocals to follow at the condo this summer:). Haha!

Hi Amom-

I have no trouble 'pushing' a button for myself...or anyone else on an elevator ride.

I DO however enjoy 'facing' everyone on a crowded elevator from time to time...lol. Really makes folks uncomfortable!

Best!
michele/cat

whomever's closest. If I'm closest, then I use that as an "icebreaker". If I'm the one entering the elevator, then -again- I use it as an icebreaker for polite conversation.

To me, it's a perfect time to engage in casual, polite conversation. Nothing like a smile to make a day go brighter!

Well, being a somewhat cute female, when men are on the elevator, they ask me my floor and push the button for me.
When I am first on and others enter, I ask them what floor they are going to and push the button for them.

Good lord, it's just an elevator. Small confined space. I would certainly not appreciate a brawl over who is expected to push what. Most elevator rides are fairly short.

I think if a person is by the buttons and you step on, it's not inappropriate to say, "Floor Two, please". It's not like it's their "job". It's pushing a button.

I guess I've just always had polite experiences in elevators.
Never really thought about it before.

I just stand in my time out corner of the elevator.

I am more proactive on ASKING on what floor I can push for them (with a big smile). I don't mind helping out when I am occupying that space. I would prefer asking then having someone invade my area.

I work in medical buildings during the day so I am probably on an elevator 20/25 times per day and it seems to be friendly to offer. For all I know, they could end up being a patient or client of mine. I have never thought of it as my "job" though, just being nice.

How often do you really have to take an elevator anyway? How often is there someone else in there with you? Is this a big problem? Why not just get in the elevator and stand there and see what happens. All by yourself,,lol

I think it's everyone's job to push the button for themselves when they come in. I've alway had it go that way too, I don't think i've ever had someone come in the elevator after me and just stand there expecting me to push the button. If they did they'd be riding to the same floor I was going.
If its crowded and someone can't get to the buttons I've heard asking the person within reach to push it and I've asked myself or they've offered.

I am the only one so far who agrees with you. I am glad I did not ask the question, though from hearing the anger in the responses...

Yes, I have seen the sense of entitlement from the entering person and that they do not even say thanks after you push the button.

The came goes for drivers who I let in ahead of me on the freeway or street. Most wave a thanks, but there are some who again assume that I have to let them in and do not wave. That really gets me.

If it's that much of a problem to be a kind considerate person, then take the damn stairs

I never expect someone to push the button for me. But if it's crowded or I have my hands full and it's hard for me to push the button I will ask if they could for me. I will offer if I am the one closest to the buttons as well. If it's not crowded I will say excuse me in order to get to the buttons if someone is in the way.

If the elevator is crowded and you'd push someone to get to the button, asking nicely for help to push your button is fine. If you can reach without crowding someone, then you push your own.

If someone's hand's were full, I'd offer. I'd have no problem pushing for someone in a crowded elevator.

Their button may already be pushed or they may have to ride a long time before their floor is reached so they may not even need a buttone pushed. If they want a different floor that has not been pushed and they cannot reach the buttons they should say something like "Can someone push XX for me".

The only time I think it is appropriate for someone to ask another person to push an elevator button for them is when the person they are asking is standing right in front of the buttons and trying to push it for themself would almost be rude in terms of having to invade their space and reach in front of them. I always say please. Sorry if you got some rude answers. I get some of those on occasion too. My advice to those people is if the question angers you, don't answer it! It's that simple. Sheesh.

depends, if my kids are with me they will push the button for EVERYONE lol. no but normally the person getting on should hit it or if its really crowded say 4 please

I think it depends. I have been in a lot of situations in an elevator in regards to pushing the button. If someone steps on and I am near teh buttons, if they ask me to I will push the button for them. Some people really don;t want to crowd the other person. Then again I have been on the elevator--first one on--and someone stepped on. I was at teh back of the elevator, buttons on both sides of the door, and he wanted me to push the button for him. I was not near it. Really? And he was not carrying anything. One time there were 3 of us in an elevator, one woman standing by the buttons. A woman stepped on with her arms full of papers. The woman by the buttons asked her what floor and she got mad saying she could do it herself. A guy got mad at me one day because I did not push his floor. He never said anything. Guess I was supposed to guess where he was going--we were in a medical building. He was mad when we passed his floor.

I think that whoever is closest to the button should ask the person(s) entering what floor they would like you to push. If you are the one entering, you look at them, if they are starting to push for you, you tell them which floor. If they are not leaning to push, you lean over and push it yourself. I think that paying it forward and doing nice things for others should always be the motto. I am pretty sure no one is thinking you are there to serve them.