I’m currently working in London and learned something new today.  I tend to take the stairs and so was unaware of Lift Etiquette, which is an Important Thing.  Apparently it is very bad form to take the lift for only one floor.  You shouldn’t press the button for a floor that gives the current occupiers an extra stop before their destination.  Having to hold the doors for someone approaching is not appreciated; that the lifts in this building don’t offer a ‘close doors’ button option is a source of great annoyance.

Hearing this conversation I couldn’t help saying “Do those few seconds make that much difference?” to which the response was “You’re probably one of those happy people, aren’t you?”   That made me smile.

There was an element of tongue-in-cheek through this conversation but it speaks to something deeper because the irritation felt when Lift Etiquette (or driving/ shopping/noise/neighbour etiquette – insert your poison of choice) is ignored is very real.  After just a few days here I can already feel the pull of that mentality, where day-to-day seemingly petty issues become a big deal.  I understand, I lived the life of the daily commuter for many years and know how important it is to be standing at just the right spot on the platform.  I really am not trying to belittle it, but surely there has to be more to life than this?  Perhaps that is the point: when we feel our lives aren’t all they should be, it’s easy to lose perspective and get overly frustrated when even the small things don’t go according to plan.  Our larger dissatisfaction is channelled into what we feel we should be able to control.

Whatever it is, I thought then and still think so now, that the monotony of the daily grind would be brightened immeasurably if we tried to keep some perspective and took a moment to remember we are all human beings.  It can be easy to forget.  I once said something similar to a gent in a suit huffing and puffing behind me in the ticket queue because the person in front of us wasn’t moving quickly enough.  He looked quite taken aback, genuinely surprised at the idea.

I don’t remember who said it but ‘kindness is the oil that takes the friction out of life.’  I can’t think of anything that doesn’t improve with a drop of it, perhaps it’s time to start a kindness revolution?  That way, there would be no need for Lift Etiquette.

Photo from the film ‘Up’ found in the public domain