Elevator Etiquette

[Anonymous]

Let me start saying this is a vent so if you don't like vents stop here.

We live in an rental apartment building and like a lot of people around here we don't own cars therefore my stroller is what you would call a Hummer Stroller. DC is 10 months old.

Often the college kids and young professionals that live in our building rush in front of us to enter the elevator first and hit the "CLOSE DOOR" button as we head in. WTF???????

I went to check mail just a few minutes ago and the guy came from the gym all sweaty to go up 2 freaking floors (seriously, you're exercising why didn't you use the stairs if you hate riding with babies?). As I'm heading in I see him making a "OH SHIT" kinda face when he realized I made it in time to put my hand to hold the door and I saw his finger hitting the "CLOSE DOOR" button.

Really? You're in such a rush that you can't wait until we enter? Today when it happened and I didn't even had the stroller on me. I had DC on my lap and a bunch of mail. It's rare when they ask "Which floor?" and I find myself often scrambling with packages, baby on my lap or Ergo, mail and finding the right button to press. Can you imagine holding the door as it closes on top of it all? We got caught so many times and even my baby's head was hit once! Yup and most of times we just let it go and wait for the next one.

What's wrong with our "younger generation"? I say younger on quotes because I'm sometimes same age or younger than those folks. Do you know who holds the door for me? Elderly people and the cleaning ladies/maint guys. They play with my baby and smile. I love riding with them. It's freaking 20 floors so just looking up and smiling won't hurt. It will make the awkward "ride" much more pleasant for everybody. DC will often call people, reach for them and I hold DC and say "no reaching", can you wave instead? DC will wave and the person will ignore! Seriously, what has happened to people?

[Anonymous]

Honestly, people are assholes. These are probably the same people who refuse to even offer me a seat on the Metro at 8 months pregnant. They are just so absorbed in themselves that any common courtesy overburdens them. It just seems that they have never been taught common manners. It must be frustrating to live with them in your building. OP you have my sympathy. Hang in there.

[Anonymous]

I've never experienced this. At least not nearly on the same level as you. Me thinks you're too sensitive.

[Anonymous]

OP, some people (especially young men I find) just don't want to be around babies, period. That being said, the people who live in your building sound exceptionally rude.

[Anonymous]

How do you know what button they're trying to push? I can't imagine anyone actually pushing the "close door" button to keep you from getting on the elevator. Maybe they were trying to help you out by reaching for the "door open" button but didn't make it in time. Anyway, the "close door" button, as we all know, is just for looks. It doesn't even work.

[Anonymous]

I don't know what's wrong with the people. But next time you're juggling all your stuff to push the right button, ask they person in the elevator with you to push it for you. Just get in and say, "20, please" and smile sweetly.

[Anonymous]

OP, I posted something in a similar vein a few months ago about people pushing in front of parents with babies, the elderly, and people in wheelchairs at the mall. It's unbelievable. I know sometimes people have invisible disabilities, so I keep that in mind while I silently seethe, but come one...packs of teenage girls?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How do you know what button they're trying to push? I can't imagine anyone actually pushing the "close door" button to keep you from getting on the elevator. Maybe they were trying to help you out by reaching for the "door open" button but didn't make it in time. Anyway, the "close door" button, as we all know, is just for looks. It doesn't even work.

Because in our elevator, when you push a button it lights up, bright ass!

Thanks folks I know the deal about the metro and that's why I usually ride using the Ergo. Now, thinking again I believe it's the same kind of people here in my building and the self absorbed folks in the metro. It makes sense. Exactly the same behavior!

21:48 you're right. Most of them are white handsome young guys. Poor girls who get involved with them! They're so rude!

21:54 this is my to go phrase, believe me! But sometimes they're so rude and they don't even look up so there's no way to ask for anything. Do you believe that one time I asked (exactly like you said) and the guy pretended he didn't hear me???? Yup, they can be really rude when they want to.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How do you know what button they're trying to push? I can't imagine anyone actually pushing the "close door" button to keep you from getting on the elevator. Maybe they were trying to help you out by reaching for the "door open" button but didn't make it in time. Anyway, the "close door" button, as we all know, is just for looks. It doesn't even work.

Because in our elevator, when you push a button it lights up, bright ass!

Thanks folks I know the deal about the metro and that's why I usually ride using the Ergo. Now, thinking again I believe it's the same kind of people here in my building and the self absorbed folks in the metro. It makes sense. Exactly the same behavior!

21:48 you're right. Most of them are white handsome young guys. Poor girls who get involved with them! They're so rude!

21:54 this is my to go phrase, believe me! But sometimes they're so rude and they don't even look up so there's no way to ask for anything. Do you believe that one time I asked (exactly like you said) and the guy pretended he didn't hear me???? Yup, they can be really rude when they want to.

Sorry, I thought you were being left outside the closed elevator door. But gee, thanks for calling me an ass. You sound really polite and sweet. I can't imagine why anybody would see you and think "oh shit, I have to ride the elevator with her again." Must be the baby. Mmm-hmm.

[Anonymous]

As usual, it's shoot the messenger time on DCUM. OP has posted a rant that sounds perfectly plausible to me. But everyone has a nitpick and a reason why she's wrong. Of course, when it's time for the Doubting Thomases and Thomasinas to post their own rants -- well, I wonder how they will soak up the scorn.

[Anonymous]

You need to move! What A-holes. I agree about young white guys avoiding babies and generally being unhelpful. I noticed it especially this winter when I took my LO out in our jogging stroller on snow days. Old Hispanic men, young African Am men, etc would always come over and offer to help get over snowbanks, stairs, etc. (no help needed but thanks). White guys generally would pretend we were not there much less offer assistance. WTF is wrong with you! If they were my son, I would be ashamed.

[Anonymous]

I'm generally very polite and sweet. I'm sorry I had to be so honest and clear about what an ass you sounded like.
I did't intend to hurt your anonymous feelings. Please accept my apologies, anonymous ass.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How do you know what button they're trying to push? I can't imagine anyone actually pushing the "close door" button to keep you from getting on the elevator. Maybe they were trying to help you out by reaching for the "door open" button but didn't make it in time. Anyway, the "close door" button, as we all know, is just for looks. It doesn't even work.

Because in our elevator, when you push a button it lights up, bright ass!

Thanks folks I know the deal about the metro and that's why I usually ride using the Ergo. Now, thinking again I believe it's the same kind of people here in my building and the self absorbed folks in the metro. It makes sense. Exactly the same behavior!

21:48 you're right. Most of them are white handsome young guys. Poor girls who get involved with them! They're so rude!

21:54 this is my to go phrase, believe me! But sometimes they're so rude and they don't even look up so there's no way to ask for anything. Do you believe that one time I asked (exactly like you said) and the guy pretended he didn't hear me???? Yup, they can be really rude when they want to.

Sorry, I thought you were being left outside the closed elevator door. But gee, thanks for calling me an ass. You sound really polite and sweet. I can't imagine why anybody would see you and think "oh shit, I have to ride the elevator with her again." Must be the baby. Mmm-hmm.

[Anonymous]

Sorry, I thought you were being left outside the closed elevator door. But gee, thanks for calling me an ass. You sound really polite and sweet. I can't imagine why anybody would see you and think "oh shit, I have to ride the elevator with her again." Must be the baby. Mmm-hmm.

I thought this, too. OP, I bet you have quite the reputation in your building.

(And where is this 20 story apartment building near the metro?)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Sorry, I thought you were being left outside the closed elevator door. But gee, thanks for calling me an ass. You sound really polite and sweet. I can't imagine why anybody would see you and think "oh shit, I have to ride the elevator with her again." Must be the baby. Mmm-hmm.

I thought this, too. OP, I bet you have quite the reputation in your building.

(And where is this 20 story apartment building near the metro?)

Oh come on... we have over 600 apartment units and 3 sets of elevators. It's rare when I meet the same people and we rarely get to meet neighbors. Half of the building is corporate housing so ppl are here a few days a week for just a few months at a time. There's no time to build a "reputation" with other residents. And if you drive along Clarendon Blvd or Fairfax Dr and take your eyes off your navle to look up for a second you'll notice very tall residential buildings all over the place.

Oh and yes, now I'm being an ass.

And let me apologize for my typos on the OP before they select me for public stoning because of that.

[Anonymous]

21:54 asked a reasonable question and OP bit her/his head off.