Elevators - Why don't most people use the Door Open/Door Hold button? (communication)

[round tuit]

I Just watched a Nova Special "Trapped In An elevator". I learned the "close door" button inside serves no purpose, and is put there to give the the riders a feeling of control.

[Konraden]

Are we sure these elevator buttons are not placebo buttons?

[round tuit]

...maybe a Pavlov button??....that would explain the guy drooling in the corner! ....name ring a bell?

[TKramar]

I couldn't be sure it worked. But I could literally hold the door for someone.

[Retroit]

Originally Posted by round tuit

I Just watched a Nova Special "Trapped In An elevator". I learned the "close door" button inside serves no purpose, and is put there to give the the riders a feeling of control.

Yeah, I watched that program also and laughed my a$$ off because I always push that button.

They also said that the phone in elevators is not answered by anyone in the building, but by a call center in Connecticut.

[Konraden]

Originally Posted by Retroit

Yeah, I watched that program also and laughed my a$$ off because I always push that button.

They also said that the phone in elevators is not answered by anyone in the building, but by a call center in Connecticut.

You'll see the same thing with the pedestrian crossing buttons, apparently. They don't work--they are there to give you a sense of control.

[jtur88]

Australian novelist Geraldine Brooks called it an "elefaint"---when someone is hurrying to the elevator and you don't want to wait, you make a clumsy and futile gesture as if you are trying to hold the door, but you fail.

[Ghengis]

I usually wave to them frantically while imploring them on, "hurry, hurry, hurry...the doors are closing!" It makes for an awkward moment at first if they catch the car but then I pat them on the back and tell them what a good job they did.

[DewDropInn]

I use the button. (I've found they DO work.) I also study the control panel when I get on an elevator and position myself near it.

I was trapped on an elevator many years ago. I was by myself and the phone worked. It was answered by the security people on the college campus I was on.

And I met some VERY nice firemen.

[PITTSTON2SARASOTA]

Guest Blog: Hold that door, please! Observations on elevator etiquette