David Morgan-Hewitt's Modern Manners.... Lifts!

Riding in a lift (or an elevator to our friends over the pond)

It is always a complete joy to have the lift completely to yourself. You can use the time to switch off for a moment or two or to gather your thoughts ready for your next meeting if working.

However, most of the time we are sharing our lift with a lot of other people. In fact at certain times we will find ourselves squashed like sardines into them. So what are the dos and don’ts of lift etiquette?

Do: Hold the door open for anybody who is running to catch it. There is little worse than missing a lift when you are running late. Also if you travel that lift regularly, they might do the same for you on another occasion.

Do: Use the stairs if only going up one floor. The lift is more use to those on the 40th floor!

Do: Press your own button, do not expect another passenger to act as the lift operator. Unless they offer to do so.

Don’t: Put on your make up when sharing a lift. It is rather common!

Don’t: Cough, splutter and sniff unless you really have to - it is most off putting to other travellers.

Don’t: Sing or talk to yourself – it can be very disturbing on so many levels.