Elevator Etiquette

[DriftingCrow]

I've been thinking about elevators a lot ever since I took some psych class back in community college where our professor talked a lot about elevators (not that I can remember what she said now).

So, since I've started contemplating transitioning I've been thinking about how men and women act in elevators, and today I came across this short article: http://www.npr.org/blogs/krulwich/2013/04/15/177335104/who-stands-where-in-a-crowded-elevator-and-why . This article discusses how men seem to stand in the middle or back (more senior/powerful men stand in the very back) while women stand in the front.

I haven't really noticed this in my day-to-day life riding elevators, I usually just stand in the front if I am getting off in a floor or two, or in the back if I have quite a ride. It seems like common courtesy, front = don't have to push people to get off; back = don't be in other's way.

The article also discusses how the women avoided looking in the mirrors (unless there was only women on the elevator), while the men (well more powerful/senior men in the back) freely gazed at their reflections or at the other passengers through the mirror. I don't often ride elevators with mirrors, but I do try to avoid looking at my reflection in things like windows, it just seems vain to me; though I do look in the mirror in the bathroom (ladies room only).

So... how do you guys ride elevators? Have you noticed a difference once you've started transitioning? The only thing I notice is that when I am presenting female, the guys always let me off first, where if I am presenting male then the ladies always let themselves off first.

I don't really think that article was too accurate for where I live (USA) but maybe it's accurate for where the study was done (Australia).

[AdamMLP]

At college we just bundle into the lift and try to stop one of the people getting anywhere near the buttons, because he always presses every single one.  The only thing I've noticed is that they won't go in there if there are unattractive girls in there, or other men.

[Contravene]

I've spent a lot of my college time studying psychology. It seems to me like this psychologist is just pulling anything out to try and prove that men have some kind of predatory instinct. 

The study was done at business towers where the same groups of men and women ride the elevators at approximately the same time everyday. That means people are going to fall into a routine of standing in certain areas so of course there are going to be patterns. The study would be more accurate and more valuable if it were done on more random elevator riders.

Here's what I've learned from my own elevator experiences:

First: Genders usually group together in cramped spaces like elevators because of the uncomfortable proximity of others. Men don't usually feel comfortable standing among a group of women because of the increased likelihood of brushing against or bumping into one in a way that might be considered inappropriate. That also works in reverse for women not wanting to stand too close to men.

Second: Older people, men especially, usually move to the back as a polite gesture to ensure that there's room for others and to allow others off the elevator before them. It's seen as something chivalrous to do so of course the majority of senior men are going to take up that type of attitude.

As for the looking in the mirror, the men are checking out the women and the women are uncomfortable because they know they're being checked out. It doesn't take a degree in Psychology to figure that one out...

[DriftingCrow]

I've spent a lot of my college time studying psychology. It seems to me like this psychologist is just pulling anything out to try and prove that men have some kind of predatory instinct. 


As for the looking in the mirror, the men are checking out the women and the women are uncomfortable because they know they're being checked out. It doesn't take a degree in Psychology to figure that one out...

Lol aren't you also saying men have a predatory instinct? 

[Beth Andrea]

Second: Older people, men especially, usually move to the back as a polite gesture to ensure that there's room for others and to allow others off the elevator before them. It's seen as something chivalrous to do so of course the majority of senior men are going to take up that type of attitude

When I was a guy, this is what I'd do (and why I did it). Now I still stand near the back, but more for "security and safety" than anything else...I don't trust men behind my back unless I know them.

[Contravene]

Lol aren't you also saying men have a predatory instinct? 

No, but I can see why it might sound like I am I'll elaborate though.

I think all humans have some sort of predatory instinct regardless of gender but that's not really the case here. The researcher seems to keep implying that men purposely herd women to the front so they can assert their dominance over women then prey on them. It even makes it seem as if the women are being victimized.

I don't doubt that there are some men out there who do behave that way but I think in this case the researcher took an act of politeness and blew it way out of proportion. It's as simple as the older men acting chivalrously by moving to the back to make room for others and if they happen to have a view of the women in front of them, they don't mind taking the opportunity to glance around. I doubt they're doing it solely for that reason though.

[Jamie D]

I usually try to let a "silent-but-deadly" emission, and then look around the crowded elevator, make a sour face, and exclaim, "Oh my god!  Who did that?"

[peky]

I usually try to let a "silent-but-deadly" emission, and then look around the crowded elevator, make a sour face, and exclaim, "Oh my god!  Who did that?"

Now, this ^^ is a typical male etiquette that transcends time and cultures...LOL

[Simon]

If it's empty when I get on I automatically move to the back to let others easily get on. If there are already people on it I just pick a side where there is less people.

I've never had thoughts of accidentally touching a woman because if the elevator is that packed I'm waiting on the next one.  I don't like people in "my bubble" so I'm not about to step in theirs either.

[Adam (birkin)]

I step to the back as well, just so that others can get in.

[Darkflame]

I usually try to let a "silent-but-deadly" emission, and then look around the crowded elevator, make a sour face, and exclaim, "Oh my god!  Who did that?"

Who smelt it dealt it 

I always take the back corner, both to make room for people coming in, and because I've had shades of elevator anxiety since I was a kid. Somehow being able to touch the walls makes the likelihood of the cable snapping and plummeting to my death go down inside my head

[Jamie D]

Now, this ^^ is a typical male etiquette that transcends time and cultures...LOL

Au contraire, mon amie. Les femmes peuvent être tout aussi odorantes que les hommes.

[peky]

Au contraire, mon amie. Les femmes peuvent être tout aussi odorantes que les hommes.

c'est ^^^ ce que les hommes prétendent être la vérité, mais le fait est que les femmes ne passent jamais de gaz en public

[AdamMLP]

Je ne pas parle Francais...

[Beth Andrea]

c'est ^^^ ce que les hommes prétendent être la vérité, mais le fait est que les femmes ne passent jamais de gaz en public

I remember very little French from high school, but even just reading it "as if" it's an English sentence, I get: "but that's why women never pass gas in public."

[peky]

Jamie said that he likes to fart in the elevator

I said: that is typical of men

Jamie said in french: On the contrary, my friend. Women can be just as stinky as men.

c'est ^^^ ce que les hommes prétendent être la vérité, mais le fait est que les femmes ne passent jamais de gaz en public

Above I responded in french: That is what men claim to be the truth but the fact remains that women never pass gas in public (sauf dans la toilette)(except in the public restrooms, and even ther with great care)

[Sarah Louise]

You want to bet on that.  I hear women pass gas in the grocery store all the time.

[peky]

You want to bet on that.  I hear women pass gas in the grocery store all the time.

Maybe this is one of those Californian trends, G-d have mercy on us

[Magnus]

I notice myself paying far more attention to the males around me than I do to the females... and I feel that it has everything to do with assessing potential threats than anything else. That didn't start going on until after T... I only just noticed it not long ago.

But in regards to elevators, I tend to stick to the back unless that isn't possible. And it makes me quite uncomfortable to be towards the front or center. I don't like anyone close and where I can't keep an eye on them at the same time... something that absolutely is not just limited to elevators.

If stairs are an option, I use them and not the elevator. But if they're way out of the way or hidden, then of course I have to use the elevator. I'd prefer to never use them at all but that's impossible.

[Sammy]

I notice myself paying far more attention to the males around me than I do to the females... and I feel that it has everything to do with assessing potential threats than anything else. That didn't start going on until after T... I only just noticed it not long ago.
But in regards to elevators, I tend to stick to the back unless that isn't possible. And it makes me quite uncomfortable to be towards the front or center. I don't like anyone close and where I can't keep an eye on them at the same time... something that absolutely is not just limited to elevators.

That's called paranoia But I know what You mean - its just I never thought that this feeling could be T related.
P.S. I prefer to stick to the front, so I can hop out as soon as I can.