I personally try to avoidelevatorsas much as I possibly can. Taking the stairs is so much more convenient, as you never have to wait until they’re free, and getting some extra steps in is great for yourhealth! But there are plenty of situations where taking an elevator is a necessity.
If you’re going up 12 floors or transporting heavy boxes, you just might need an elevator. You’ll just have to hope that nobody’s holding it up! Below, you’ll find a story that was recentlysharedon the Petty Revenge subreddit detailing how some elevator hogs got what was coming to them after refusing to share with the rest of the building.
One of the downsides of taking an elevator is having to wait until it’s free
Image credits:maxbelchenko / envato (not the actual photo)
So when this person realized that their elevator was being held up on purpose, they decided to get revenge
Image credits:Pressmaster / envato (not the actual photo)
Image credits:SunlitFlowers
Later, the resident responded to a few readers and provided more info on the situation
In busy buildings, elevators can be operated hundreds of times a day
I can easily go months without riding in anelevator, as I don’t have one in my building, and I don’t need to take one at work. Unless I visit a friend who lives on the 10th floor of a building or I find myself at the airport with heavy luggage, I’m opting for the stairs. (And often, it’s not even a choice. Stairs are the only option!) Most of us use elevators only when we’re traveling or working in a high-rise office building.
According to one 2021studyfrom Kone, the pandemic greatly affected how often people use elevators. In London, for example, office elevator use went down 80% during 2020. And in Amsterdam, the monthly average number of journeys in elevators dropped from 16,500 in September 2019 to 3,500 in April 2020. But usage has been back on the rise since the height of the pandemic.
Elevators are a necessity for many people with mobility issues
Image credits:Point3D Commercial Imaging Ltd. / unsplash (not the actual photo)
I tend to avoid elevators because I’m lucky enough to be able-bodied and to have the choice to take the stairs in most buildings. However, many others don’t have that same privilege. Elevators are crucial for wheelchair users, those with mobility issues, the elderly, parents with strollers, pregnant women, people carrying heavy loads and more.
According to theAmericans with Disabilities Act, any building that operates with 3 floors or more is required to have an elevator, which must be placed in a spot that’s easily accessible. It must also be large enough for a wheelchair user to ride, as well as turn their chair around inside of it. The door has to be at least 36” wide, and it must stay open for at least 3 seconds after the elevator’s been called. Elevators are also required to detect when something is in the doorway and ensure they don’t close on anyone or anything.
All passengers should know appropriate elevator etiquette
When it comes to holding the elevator door open, Inclinator notes that this is a divisive topic. If you’re the only one inside and you don’t mind waiting, it can be nice to press the button and hold the elevator until they can get inside. But if there are several people riding already, you might want to simply let the doors close. And if you do hold the elevator, don’t hold it hostage on one floor for too long. Or you might receive some dirty looks later.
Another factor to consider when riding in an elevator is where to position yourself. It’s recommended that if there are only two of you riding, you might want to stand on opposite sides. If there are three or four passengers, it’s wise to stick to corners. And if there are five or more riders, just try to space yourselves out evenly and face the door. Try to avoid eye contact as well; you don’t want to creep out your fellow passengers!
If you have to be on the phone while riding in an elevator, try to keep your voice down and refrain from revealing any information that might make others in the elevator uncomfortable. Better yet, just tell whoever you’re talking to that you’ll call them back soon. And when it comes time to exit the elevator, if it’s full and you’re stuck at the back, just politely alert the other riders.
Readers were happy to share their reactions to the story, as well as their very best elevator puns
Thanks! Check out the results:Gabija Palšytė
Ilona Baliūnaitė
Shelly Fourer
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