Which direction do you face in an elevator?

I started my first full-time office job in Melbourne back in 2017, but I frequently visited home in Sydney since we had an office there as well. This was before the pandemic, and I’ve since relocated back to Sydney and switched jobs.

From what I remember, in Melbourne, we always faced the door, while I noticed that in Sydney, everyone tends to turn towards the middle. I can’t say for sure, but that’s how I recall it.

Now at my new job with the NSW Government, we’ve just implemented a return-to-office policy. It’s still early days for my department, and because of space limitations on our designated floor, my team is only in the office one day a week. It seems like most people in the elevator are facing towards the middle. Personally, I prefer to face the door. I always feel a bit awkward facing others unless they’re people I know, so I generally stick to facing the entrance.

Can any Melburnians or Sydneysiders weigh in on this?

One thought on “Which way do you face in an elevator?”

  1. That’s an interesting observation! I think there’s definitely a bit of regional difference when it comes to elevator etiquette. In Melbourne, facing the door seems to be the norm, possibly because it feels more efficient and less awkward. On the other hand, the tendency to face toward the middle in Sydney might come from a more relaxed social vibe, where casual interactions are more common.

    It’s also fascinating how office culture has shifted with the return to the office. The elevator dynamics can really reflect the overall workplace atmosphere. Personally, I think it’s natural to feel awkward facing toward strangers, so your preference for the door makes sense.

    I’m curious to see how these trends evolve as more people return to the office. It may take some time for everyone to find their comfort zones again! Would love to hear from more people about their experiences in both cities.

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