Hear this. Effective immediately no able-bodied, but just plain lazy person, is allowed to take the elevator if they are only going up or down one floor! Especially if we're talking about an old building with just one elevator or any building with an old, slow elevator.
Would it kill a person to take the stairs for one flight up or even two flights down? Then maybe the rest of us who have good reason to take the elevator (20 floors up or 20 pound packages to carry) won't be late or waiting for 20 short haul travellers to get on, and then get off again. There really ought to be a law.
It wouldn't hurt to regulate some other elevator behaviors as well. Like smells. If a person knows they're going to be in close quarters why wouldn't they check their breath or go easy on the cologne? And how about cell phones? Couldn't elevators be "no phone zones". Aside from the obvious intrusion on the privacy of others, isn't it just possible that the signals from cell phones could stymie up the electrical functions of the elevator? Especially those old, slow elevators?
In fact there are guidelines for elevator etiquette. Here are a few to help you on your next indoor public transit adventure:
TAKE THE STAIRS
If you are only going up one floor or down two floors (obviously easier than going up), you haven't any heavy packages to carry and you are physically able, you really should take the stairs. It's rude to make other people wait or to delay their necessary trip up or down just because you are lazy.
HOLD THE DOOR
If you are inside the elevator and see someone running for the elevator, resist the urge to push the "close door" button repeatedly and quickly. Instead, hold the door for them. And, if you are one of many waiting to get on the elevator, hold the door open and let others (men, women, old or young, it doesn't matter) get on before you do.
MAKE ROOM
If others are getting on the elevator, back up or to the sides and make room. If you are the person getting on the elevator and others have made room for you, you should either step out of the elevator when it stops or step aside to let those at the back of the elevator off if need be.
MAKE EYE CONTACT
It is not always necessary to make conversation with everyone you meet on an elevator but it is polite to at least look at people and maybe smile. You never know who is standing next to you (the bosses spouse, a new client) and some friendly acknowledgement might send the right impression.
BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU SAY
Nowhere is the old adage of "if you can't say anything positive say nothing at all", more appropriate than in an elevator. You really never do know who is listening. And in close quarters where it's hard not to listen, it is especially important to be careful what you say.
