2008 Woodie Awards
Elevator etiquette
Ezra Horne
Issue date: 10/7/04 Section: Opinion
Elevators are the greatest invention to ever exist. Well, at least when they can actually be used effectively. Yet in the Little Building and 120 Boylston, one tends to notice that the elevator situation is woefully inadequate.
The Little Building chooses to let students use only 5 of its 8 elevators, and at 120 Boylston only two tiny boxes serve the entire building, while the third "can't get it up" past the 6th floor.
You've seen the lines out the door in the last few minutes before class. So what can you do to help? No, I'm not asking you reduce the size of the student body by transferring to NYU. Use elevator etiquette. It's easy and fun. (Okay, it's not fun, but you'll make everyone's life easier.) There are three cardinal rules to elevator use:
One. Don't press a floor that is one above or one below from a floor that has already been selected. Most of us have grown up believing that we should never have to walk more than 200 feet for any reason, so it's a hard concept for people who are used to parking their car in their attached garage and walking straight into the house.
But when you are on the elevator and you need to go to the seventh floor and the eighth floor has already been pressed, just get off at the eighth floor and use the stairs.
Two. Don't use the elevator to go less than three floors. If you are on the fourth floor, and want to go see your buddy on the fifth, sixth, or seventh floor, WALK! Once again, I know it seems easier to press the button, but you know, unless you're in a wheelchair, going up the stairs will be faster. Besides, you can fight the "freshman fifteen" and move your body! It'll reduce elevator delays and make people not hate you. Three. Always quickly enter and exit the elevator.
Don't hold the elevator while you discuss your next film shoot/screenplay/sexual-encounter/term paper with your friend. If you want to talk, finish your conversation and then call the elevator.
Also, don't meander out of the elevator or stand around when you should be getting on or off. Pretend that someone just stole your wallet or purse and ran out.
Go after them; throw people out of the way! Just get off! Some people have places to be and things to do, even when you don't. It is just common consideration.
Most of us have grown up with the convenience mentality-I mean, I know that I don't understand why the elevator isn't more like a Wonkavator, whisking my lazy butt directly from room to room-but trust me, when you're running late and you need to get somewhere fast, you'll really appreciate the help that these three simple guidelines provide.
Ezra Horne is a freshman film major and is a contributer to The Beacon.
The Little Building chooses to let students use only 5 of its 8 elevators, and at 120 Boylston only two tiny boxes serve the entire building, while the third "can't get it up" past the 6th floor.
You've seen the lines out the door in the last few minutes before class. So what can you do to help? No, I'm not asking you reduce the size of the student body by transferring to NYU. Use elevator etiquette. It's easy and fun. (Okay, it's not fun, but you'll make everyone's life easier.) There are three cardinal rules to elevator use:
One. Don't press a floor that is one above or one below from a floor that has already been selected. Most of us have grown up believing that we should never have to walk more than 200 feet for any reason, so it's a hard concept for people who are used to parking their car in their attached garage and walking straight into the house.
But when you are on the elevator and you need to go to the seventh floor and the eighth floor has already been pressed, just get off at the eighth floor and use the stairs.
Two. Don't use the elevator to go less than three floors. If you are on the fourth floor, and want to go see your buddy on the fifth, sixth, or seventh floor, WALK! Once again, I know it seems easier to press the button, but you know, unless you're in a wheelchair, going up the stairs will be faster. Besides, you can fight the "freshman fifteen" and move your body! It'll reduce elevator delays and make people not hate you. Three. Always quickly enter and exit the elevator.
Don't hold the elevator while you discuss your next film shoot/screenplay/sexual-encounter/term paper with your friend. If you want to talk, finish your conversation and then call the elevator.
Also, don't meander out of the elevator or stand around when you should be getting on or off. Pretend that someone just stole your wallet or purse and ran out.
Go after them; throw people out of the way! Just get off! Some people have places to be and things to do, even when you don't. It is just common consideration.
Most of us have grown up with the convenience mentality-I mean, I know that I don't understand why the elevator isn't more like a Wonkavator, whisking my lazy butt directly from room to room-but trust me, when you're running late and you need to get somewhere fast, you'll really appreciate the help that these three simple guidelines provide.
Ezra Horne is a freshman film major and is a contributer to The Beacon.