Etiquette on the Move: Sidewalks, Doorways, Elevators, and Escalators
on the move
Sidewalks
Sidewalks, especially in larger cities, can be crowded places. During the morning, lunchtime and after-work hours, they can really get swarmed! But if everyone follows a few rules of etiquette and common courtesy, everyone can get where they're going a little faster.
Tip 1: Stick to your right. Think of the sidewalk like a street. Don't walk into oncoming traffic!
Tip 2: Devices down, eyes up. Looking down on your smartphone is a recipe for disaster. You could crash into another pedestrian … or even worse, a car or bus!
Tip 3: Keep up the pace. Crowded sidewalks typically fall into a sort of default walking speed. Move closer to the buildings to rummage through a bag or answer a text, or you're bound to get bumped!
Tip 4: Keep vehicles off the sidewalks. Riding bikes, skateboards, scooters and the like may get you there faster, but you're bound to annoy and terrorize fellow pedestrians in the process.
Tip 5: Keep your squad in formation. If you're walking with a big group, spreading out four or five across and taking up the whole sidewalk is bound to annoy and hinder your fellow sidewalk users.
Doorways
With these etiquette tips, getting through doorways gracefully is an open-and-shut case.
Tip 1: Let in the person behind you. If a door is getting a lot of traffic, making an effort to prop the door open for the person behind you is a courteous thing to do … and it keeps people moving!
Tip 2: If you're approaching a door that pulls open, pull the door open, and allow the person you're walking with to enter first. If you're a gentleman, who's been taught to open the door for a lady, feel free to do so, but don't feel like you need to make it into a big, chivalrous display. And in most social and professional settings, a "first come, first served" approach to opening the door is typically OK, regardless of the opener's gender.
Tip 3: If you're approaching a door that pushes open, push the door open, entering first, and hold the door open for your companion.
Tip 4: If you encounter someone whose arms are full, or could have some difficulty entering, by all means, say something nice like, "Let me get the door for us." And help the person out!
Tip 5: When meeting someone at work, leave your office or desk and greet the visitor yourself. Show them to your office or meeting room and open the door for them. When the meeting is adjourned, walk your guest to the door, and open it for them as they leave. Don't forget to leave after your guests.
Elevators
Showing proper elevator etiquette is a great way to give your fellow riders a little lift.
Tip 1: When boarding, stand to the right, away from the doors, to allow people to enter behind you.
Tip 2: When an elevator arrives, don't go aboard until all the riders have gotten off.
Tip 3: If it's not too awkward or inconvenient, hold the door for other riders who are entering. And don't ask a crowded elevator to hold the door as you're approaching. Let them get on their way!
Tip 4: Don't try to squeeze into a crowded elevator with doors closing. Another lift will be along soon!
Tip 5: Backpacks down! If you are in a crowded elevator, remove your backpack from your shoulders and hold it close to your legs, it creates space for another rider.
Tip 6: If you're standing near the buttons, be willing to push the buttons for people who are farther away if they ask. And DON'T ask someone else to push the button for you if you can clearly push the button yourself. The other riders aren't your attendants!
Tip 7: If you're standing in the back of a crowded elevator and your floor is approaching, don't feel bad about saying something like, "Excuse me, my floor is next." That way, people can make room for you to exit.
Tip 8: Exit the elevator to let people going to the floors before yours get out. And then just hop right back!
Escalators and People-Movers
Escalators and moving walkways have their own special traffic rules, as well. Follow them, and everyone can have a smooth ride!
Tip 1: Stand on the right side, walk on the left side. If you want to relax and enjoy the ride, do it on the right side, so people in a bigger hurry can walk pass you uninterrupted.
Tip 2: If you've decided to walk, keep walking! Don't stop in the middle of your journey, especially if you're in the "left lane." You'll just be slowing things down for everyone behind you!
Tip 3: Be mindful of your luggage. Especially in airports, keep your bags close to your body and give room for other people to pass.
Tip 4: Don't run. No matter how much of a hurry you're in, running on an escalator or moving sidewalk can be dangerous. You could bump someone in front or beside you—or worse, slip and fall onto a very unaccommodating metal surface and risk getting caught at the end of the mechanism.
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