Why It's Better Not to Enter an Elevator First in Japan (4 photos)

In Japanese culture, even the order in which people enter the elevator imposes certain obligations. Therefore, even in such small matters, the Japanese always maintain harmony and order, and everyone knows their role and place.





As is well known, Japanese etiquette is not only extremely clear but also very detailed. How people address each other depends not only on gender, age, and social status, but also on the situation. And in everyday life, there are many unspoken rules that govern relationships down to the smallest details. While this can be difficult, it's also convenient: you don't have to rack your brains.



For example, the elevator. We've all been in this situation: you have to wait for someone running to the elevator, but no one can decide who will hold the door. As a result, the door closes before you make it. In Japan, there are rules for this too. A special duty was created for this purpose—the elevator captain.





Here's a list of informal rules for using the elevator:

1. If you're the first one to enter an empty elevator, you're the elevator captain.

2. As the elevator captain, stand next to the control panel and hold the door open button or the doors themselves until everyone has boarded.

3. As soon as the last person boards, release the door open button and immediately press the door close button. Continue holding until the doors close. If anyone else tries to squeeze in, the procedure is cancelled.

4. As captain, you must hold the door at each floor where the elevator stops. This requires quick and precise operation; it requires dexterity.

5. If you arrive at your floor, you are the last to exit, like a captain leaving a ship. You hold the door for everyone until the end.

6. The person closest to the control panel now becomes captain. The new captain holds the door until the old captain exits the elevator.



Basically, if you're new to Japan and don't have much experience (or your reflexes aren't great), just don't enter the elevator first and stay away from the buttons.