Close, Damn It, Close!

I seem to be using this forum to air my pet peeves, but what the hell, this is my blog, right?

So for the record, and coming in at number 12, my pet peeve is elevator doors that close really s-l-o-w-l-y. Really. Slowly.

I step into the lift to get up to the office, and spy an older woman quite far away walking towards the lobby. I know she can’t make it unless she sprints, so I hit the “Close” button.

Unfortunately, the doors groan, but don’t close immediately.

She gets closer.

I’m still hitting the “Close” button, because she’s still far away enough, and not in what I consider the “courtesy zone” which would call for me to hold the doors for her.

She gets even closer. The doors are not moving.

By now, I’m torn between keeping the doors open or just trying to get them to close anyway. I frantically hit the “Close” button for the zillionth time.

For the love of Krispy Kreme, just close already!

Meanwhile, the doors don’t budge and I feel like I’m in a John Woo slow-motion action sequence called Dot, an Old Lady, and the Elevator Doors.

I am embarrassed to face her, so I turn away and pretend to shuffle through my purse, while my other hand furtively hits the “Close” button.

May day! May day! She has entered the courtesy zone. I need to hold the elevator doors open. Right?

The damn doors close.