Elevator Etiquette…

Proxemics
Intimate: 0 to 18 inches
Personal-casual: 1.5 to 4 feet
Social: 4 to 10 feet
Public: 10 feet and beyond

Below are 3 silent strategies and steps to acing elevator etiquette:

Ladies and gentlemen, take your corners
Upon entering the elevator, you should stand as close to a wall or corner as possible, this will help you and others distance yourselves from one another with a hearty buffer zone. When it comes to body language, you can reduce a spacial invasion if you eliminate large body movements, decrease eye contact and lower your tone and pitch of voice.

The more people that enter the elevator, the more your body language should get smaller. If you are going to a high floor, it will save everyone from sighing and bumping into each other if you just stand in the back. And if you are on one of the lower floors, please stand toward the front.

1-2 People: Separate

4 People: Each person should take a corner

5 or More People: Face the door, get taller & thinner, hands, pocketbooks, brief cases hang down in front of the body (fig leaf position), do not touch people unless over-crowding forces shoulders and upper arms to touch

Also, the most common facial expression seen in an elevator is the “non-expression,” which is used by most of us to keep strangers at a distance. The blank stare is probably the only tool we have to maintain our “private space” — it sends the message, “DO NOT DISTURB!”

When watching a movie in a movie theatre…

No talking during the movie, period! Shouldn’t even have to mention this one. I’ll even extend this rule to apply to the trailers…no saying, “Ooo, I want to see that one” after a trailer. If you are Trailer Critic Man, keep it to yourself.

No making out in the auditorium. The only sucking sound should come from my shoes on the sticky floor.

Don’t ask people to scoot down. If you’re late, suck it up and sit in the front row. Leave home earlier next time.

Don’t sit in front of someone in an empty theatre. Why does this one have to even be mentioned? If there’s an opportunity to put a couple of rows between yourself and the person behind you, do so!

Don’t talk about shocking endings while leaving the movie. Always give them a spoiler warning.

No babies. Even at a G-rated movie! Keep a leash on your child. No running in the aisles and no screaming or yelling. If his/her behavior is unruly, leave the auditorium. Or better yet, a ball-peen hammer applied right behind the ear is usually very effective. Just because it’s a kid’s movie doesn’t mean they are allowed to act like one.

Don’t kick the back of chairs. If you accidently kick it, slap yourself in the forehead, immediately apologize and don’t do it again.

If you get in free, don’t complain about anything. IT WAS FREE!

When in a movie theater Guy’s shouldn’t sit next to other single random guys. If you see another single random guy, pick a different row. In fact pick a different auditorium. And if you attend the movie with another guy, put an empty seat between yourselves and use it to store your jackets, umbrellas, popcorn bags, candy boxes, etc.

Replying to a missed call with a text is acceptable, even though it is a clear indication that you preferred not to talk.