Elevator man

Now that you all know that I'm a Danny Elfman fan, as well as an Oingo Boingo enthusiast by the title of this post, let’s write about elevator etiquette, shall we?

While staying at the Ritz in DC with my Mother, I had the pleasure of observing the atrocious manners of some, and the immaculate manners of others (se la vie).  One day in particular comes to mind.  My mother has had both of her hips replaced and although she is amazing and resilient, she can only do so much, go so fast, and still must use a cane to walk (it's only been three months).  We were waiting by the four (yes four) elevators that led to our rooms and she and I were the only ones waiting.  Very abruptly, a family came racing to the elevators (two parents, two children maybe 13 and 10).  The button had already been pressed, so we all stood there waiting for the elevator to open.  When the elevator door just behind the family opened,  they quickly shuffled in and did not bother to move to the back therefore leaving no room for my mother.  I stared at the father until the door began to close, and as it did, he looked right at me.  He  must have been unconscious to not recognize that 1. there was a handicapped woman standing there before him; 2. that he didn't make room for her; and 3. that he made no apologies.  I was outraged!  I don't become outraged very often, but this was my mother we're talking about.  She patiently stood there until another elevator opened, by which time another gentleman (yes, a gentleman) let us into the elevator first.  I complimented him on his graciousness and good manners. My faith in humanity was restored.  

Coming down from our room we got into the elevator with a lovely young couple.  I didn't have the pleasure of being introduced to his wife, but his name was Tony.  As we stepped in, we made small talk, and as the elevator stopped, Tony let my mother and I exit first- Thank you thank you!  We had just about had it with elevator drama on our trip and Tony and his wife came to the rescue.  I actually embarrassed myself by running after him to give him my card and told him I'd be writing about this, and so I have. 

My sweet sister-in-law-to-be was apologizing for people in her town and their lack of manners as she witnessed some of the same etiquette breaches that I did over the weekend; but this was not a commentary on her town (which was lovely as was her family);  It is a commentary on our society "me first, all about me, fabulous me" but what about others?  What about opening a door just because?  What about a smile just to smile?  What about lowering your voice as you use obscenities to describe something? What happened to caring about those around us as much as we care about ourselves?  I have faith that humanity is good, alive and well; just not thriving in some places as much as others.  As my travels have taken me different places, I have found that each place has a distinct feel.  This place had the feeling of busyness in one’s own life  (I’m too busy with myself to let a handicapped person on the elevator first).   Although I know that many people in the hotel were visiting from various locations, I saw things in local stores and other local public places that led me to this judgement.

 I must say that the staff at the Ritz was everything it is supposed to be-gracious, caring, attentive, polite, and generous.  I want to thank them for helping to make our trip a memorable one.  I also want to thank everyone with whom we had the opportunity to interact-whether they made it pleasant for us or gave me material to write about.