A moment when a security expels customers out of the elevator

This incident was a story while I was travelling in Japan at the beginning of this year. It took place at Bic Camera, Namba Store in Osaka. Bic Camera is a leading consumer electronics retailer chain in Japan.

The store was extremely crowded at the day. Most of them were seemingly foreign visitors. I was waiting for an elevator for so long to go to the upper floor. Due to the crowd, every time the lift opened, it was packed with tons of customers that I wasn’t able to get in it. Believe it or not, I had been waiting for the available lift for about 30 minutes and it wasn’t vacant enough for me to get in.Soon after that, a security guard came across and stopped next to me. I had no idea what he was attempting to do. Then, once the lift again opened, he spoke firmly in Japanese to the people inside the lift. I didn’t know exactly what he was saying but, with common sense and his posture, I knew he was explaining my situation to the people in the lift.

I told him with a little embarrassment, “I’m fine, I can wait…” But he insisted to do so. Real quick, lots of customers stepped out of the lift and allowed me to get in. I was so shocked and surprised for what just happened. It has become a memorable experience that I always share with everybody.

Recently, I just noticed a signboard with the clear image in front of the lift stated that “Please cooperate for priority.” This is a huge difference between our and their country, at least at this moment. Although everyone has the right to use the lift, they are not self-centered and concern for priority. However, this attitude remains broken in our society as you might see from social media that we need to reshape it real quick.

I would like to encourage you guys that with everyone’s hands, we can change our society for the better. I also would like to deliver my appreciation to the security guard on that day who inspires and reminds me of our basic right of citizenship.