The Daily O’Collegian

Yesterday while in the Student Union, I counted the seconds it took me to step out of the elevator, and I’m not sure that I even made it to “one” before I was out the door.

I did this because prior to that, a person had gotten into the elevator and pushed the button to her desired destination before the door was even finished opening.

It almost shut again while I was staring at her in disbelief. I thought to myself, “If you will wait just half a second, I will be off this elevator and out of your way.”

I’m just saying, wait for the people to get off of the elevator before you get on. Let’s be honest, no one is taking a little joy ride on the elevator. We’re all in a hurry, and we’re all on our way to somewhere.

Therefore, I offer you elevator etiquette, er, at least the way I think it should be.

First and importantly, if there are 10 people on an elevator and you have to go down one floor, go down the stairs. There are maybe 20 steps, and if you’re going down it is much easier so don’t be so lazy.

Second, if you see that there are a few people walking toward the door to exit the elevator as the door opens, don’t just stand there like a deer in headlights. Move yourself out of the way.

Third, don’t ever step one foot on the elevator before the door opens, if the person inside knows you and happens to hate you, they can hit that “door close” button and you’ll lose that foot.

Fourth, this is especially for gentlemen but ladies can use the advice, too. Guys, if a lady gets on, ask her what floor she needs to go to, and push the button for her. And for everyone, if a person with their arms full of books up to their eyes gets on the elevator, don’t make them try to balance the books with their face to press the button while you stand there text messaging. Press the button for them; you might make their day.

Lastly, and perhaps even more important than No. 1, always wear deodorant or some sort of odor-covering fragrance if you know you’ll be using an elevator throughout the day. No one wants to smell your body odor in a 4-by-4, closed-in square.

Most of these etiquette guidelines go hand-in-hand with walking down a hall. We’re in college, and most of us have our driver’s licenses and have been practicing for at least two years. The only rule you need to remember when walking down a hall is this: You walk the same way you drive, in the right lane.

Nothing is more frustrating than while in the packed Student Union, some moron is on his cell phone walking leisurely the wrong way down the hall. When I see people who can’t walk and talk, I shudder to think that I might be sharing the road and the elevator with them.

I’m sure everyone has been in someone’s way at the elevator, in a hallway or driving at one point or another, which I completely understand. However, be aware of your surroundings and what you’re doing so that if you are in someone’s way, you can move quickly so they don’t shoot you a dirty look and leave you wondering why.