Hey there, did you ever stop to think about where you stand in an elevator? It’s one of those daily rituals that most of us go through without a second thought. However, the ongoing pandemic has brought a curious phenomenon to light: elevator etiquette.
If you’ve taken an elevator recently, you might have noticed those strategically placed stickers, typically in each corner, reminding people to maintain social distance by standing in a corner. It’s an interesting duplication of effort, as it’s something that, by human nature, most individuals already do when entering an elevator—stand in the corner.
What’s even more intriguing is that someone studied this behavior nearly 40 years ago. Yes, you read that right. Researchers delved into the world of elevators and the way people naturally position themselves when inside one.
So, have you ever walked into an elevator and observed something other than the standard back left, back right, front left, and front right arrangement? It’s a rarity. People tend to follow a basic, unspoken rule when choosing their spot in an elevator. But here’s where it gets amusing—when the elevator becomes crowded, there’s that inevitable moment of panic as everyone looks at each other, bewildered about where to stand. It’s a universal experience we’ve all encountered at one point or another.
However, with the onset of Covid-19, a new layer of self-protection has been added to the mix. Elevator stickers now serve as a reminder of the basic human instinct to stand in the corner for social distancing. It’s not a bad thing, by any means. In fact, it’s a gentle nudge to remind people to practice social distancing and ensure everyone’s safety.
This brings me back to that study from four decades ago—a study that still holds true today. The concept of standing in the corner of an elevator remains unchanged, even though it’s now reinforced with stickers and pandemic precautions. It’s one of those quirky aspects of human behavior that has stood the test of time.
So, next time you step into an elevator, don’t be surprised to see those corner stickers, encouraging everyone to follow the age-old tradition of standing in their corner. It’s a small, amusing reminder of our ability to adapt and maintain social norms, even in the confined space of an elevator.