Who Should Advance The Elevator?

Shortly after work, he went to the five sail hotel in Vancouver with the Western boss. We talked with a professional who worked in his industry for more than 30 years. His hair was grey and his words were sincere.

The meeting was very enjoyable.

But after meeting, I was in trouble. Before going to the elevator, the white haired man pressed the elevator and asked me to go ahead.

I think one of my peers is a boss, one is an elder, and I should never turn around.

But two men even said to take a plan, insisting on making me advanced.

I had to go into the elevator first and then I was very uncertain.

For a few seconds, it feels very long, because I really don't know how to do it properly.

What is worse is that our mission is to see the office on behalf of our customers in Asia. The grey haired man will take us to see the three storeys in turn, which means we should enter several doors and enter several elevators.

Every time I came to the door, I was very unnatural. The habit of respect for leaders and elders over the years was not known here.

So I was very upset all morning, and I was depressed by the lack of basic etiquette.

On the way back to the office, I couldn't help asking the boss who should have advanced the elevator at that time.

He said: "ladies first" rule has nothing to do with the position and age.

Usually, the order of entering and leaving the elevator is: senior lady, young lady, senior man, young man.

The boss said something interesting at the time: "although I am a boss, there is no truth that anyone can change. I am a man and you are a woman. You should naturally enjoy and accept this respect."

I have just used to this rule for a few days, but I have encountered something that I am not at all aware of.

This time, a delegation from China came to our company to talk about the project. When we went to work lunch together and entered the elevator at noon, I consciously and unconsciously made the leader of the Chinese delegation advanced in accordance with the custom of China. He saw my boss was older than him and desperately asked my boss to come in first, while my boss was puzzled at the moment and was not sure whether to let me advance or make the guests advanced.

After a long time at the elevator, I finally jumped in and said, "I'll press the elevator."

In fact, he thinks carefully that whoever advances the elevator is small, but there are many differences in culture and customs behind it.

The Chinese have always respected authority and respect for the elders since ancient times. On this occasion, leaders and elders must be given priority. Western people have developed the habit of giving priority to women and are deeply rooted. Any older boss should also rely on the latter to open doors for ladies, to chair chairs for ladies, to help ladies wear overcoats, and to have "gentlemanly" manners.

In fact, these are all right and wrong. We can not say that one rule is better and better than the other.

Therefore, when I work in a company in Vancouver, I am always happy to enjoy "ladies first". If I am on a business trip or receive a customer from China, I will never forget leadership first and boss first.