Why is it better not to get into the elevator first in Japan

In Japanese culture, even the order in which people enter the elevator imposes certain obligations on them. Therefore, in such trifles, the Japanese always have harmony and order, and everyone knows both their role and their place.

As you know, Japanese etiquette is not only extremely clear, but also very detailed. The treatment of people to 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 regulate relationships to the smallest detail. On the one hand, it is difficult, on the other hand, it is convenient: there is no need to break your head.

For example, an elevator. Everyone has been in this situation: you have to wait for someone who runs to the elevator, but no one can decide who will hold the door. As a result, the door closes, the person does not have time. In Japan, there are rules for this case as well. To do this, they came up with a duty — the captain of the elevator.

1. If you are the first to enter an empty elevator, you are the captain of the elevator.2. As the captain of the elevator, stand next to the control panel and hold the door opening button or the doors themselves until everyone enters the cabin.3. As soon as the last person enters, release the door opening button and immediately press the button that closes the doors. Hold it until they close. If someone else wants to squeeze in, the procedure is canceled.4. As a captain, you have to hold the door on every floor where the elevator stops. It is necessary to perform operations quickly and accurately, skill is required.5. If you arrive on your floor, you are the last to leave, like a captain from a ship. You keep the door open for everyone until the end.6. Now the person who is closest to the control panel becomes the captain. The new captain holds the door until the old one leaves the elevator.

In general, if it's your first time in Japan and you don't have enough experience (or you don't have much reaction), just don't get into the elevator first and stay away from the buttons.