How Far Should You See a Guest Off? Bowing at the Elevator and What to Say When Parting

When you see a guest off at the elevator, continuing to bow until the doors close is considered a typical gesture in business settings [1]. Even if you say polite words, turning your back as soon as the guest steps in leaves the impression that the send-off ended halfway.

*This scene is fictional, based on cases that are common among learners.

Hassan, a new employee, was entrusted with seeing off a visitor on his own for the first time. The meeting had ended on schedule, and he escorted Mr. Hasegawa, a client, to the elevator hall. He pressed the button, and when the doors opened, he said, "Thank you very much for today," and gave a slight nod. Mr. Hasegawa stepped in.

There was no time before the next meeting. Before the doors started to move, Hassan turned his back and began to walk away.

Mr. Hasegawa turned around and saw the back of the retreating figure through the gap of the closing doors. The words had been polite. Even so, he was left with the feeling of having been hurried out.

At the Elevator, Keep Bowing Until the Doors Close

When parting at an elevator landing, pressing the button is the job of the person seeing the guest off [1]. Once the guest has boarded, you say words of thanks or a greeting and bow [1]. Continuing a deep bow until the doors have completely closed is described as typical of business settings [1]. A guide on seeing off visitors at the office likewise recommends giving a final greeting when the guest has boarded and turned around, and not turning your back until the doors have completely closed [2].

From the moment the doors begin to close until they are fully shut, it feels natural to move as follows.

• Once the guest has boarded, bow your head along with a few words.
• Even when the doors start to move, do not raise your head; keep waiting.
• After the doors have fully closed, raise your head, pause a moment, and then return.

While there is still a gap in the doors, the guest can see the person seeing them off. If you raise your head and walk away at that point, that moment becomes the guest's last memory.

It is also useful to know how the person being seen off behaves. A guest who has been escorted to the elevator hall may say, "Please, this is far enough" [3]. When you hear this, respond with something like "Thank you. Then, if you will excuse me, I'll say goodbye here," and see the guest off with a bow on the spot.

However, a bow held until the doors close is a gesture for business settings. It is explained that it does not suit a send-off unrelated to business [1]. When seeing off a friend or a neighbor, a bow of the same depth is not needed.

How Far to Accompany: As Far as the Guest Can See You

How far should you go? Regarding seeing off a guest invited to your home, the All About guide treats seeing them to the front entrance as the basic etiquette [1]. It also says that with close friends, parting inside the entrance is fine, and that ideally you would go out beyond the front door together [1].

When you accompany a guest as far as the gate or a car, the guideline is a distance from which the guest can see you bowing when they turn around [1]. The same thinking applies in front of a company elevator. The time during which you are visible is the time of the send-off.

If you part only at the office door and go straight back inside, the guest ends up walking down the hallway alone. The busier you are, the more it helps to regard the send-off as lasting until the guest gets into their vehicle or the doors close; then you won't be unsure.

The Angle of the Bow: Names Differ by Source

Lighter and deeper bows are used according to the situation. However, how angles correspond to names differs depending on the source.

The All About guide divides them as follows [4].

• Eshaku: about 15 degrees. A light bow, such as when passing someone.
• Keirei: about 30 degrees. The basic bow in customer service, such as greeting and seeing off guests.
• Saikeirei: about 45 degrees. A bow for greeting and seeing off important guests, for deep apologies, and for expressing the greatest respect.

Another guide treats 15 degrees as eshaku, 45 degrees as keirei, and 90 degrees as saikeirei [5]. In this guide, 90 degrees is meant for people of extremely high status, such as members of the imperial family, and is said to be rarely used in general. The 30-degree bow, often used at work, is called chūrei ("middle bow") and is not included among the three types [5].

You do not need to memorize the differences in names. The rough division of use is shared: 15 degrees for a light pass-by, around 30 degrees for a send-off, and deeper for profound thanks or apology.

There are two points to keep in mind about the movement itself. Do not lower only your head; keep your back straight and bend from the waist [5]. Pause for about two seconds at the point where your body is tilted [4].

For guests, it is considered appropriate to say your greeting first and then bow [4].

What to Say When Parting Changes by Situation

When you see a guest off, say something like "Thank you very much for today," "Please take care on your way home," or "Excuse me," and then bow. Finishing the words first and then lowering your head looks polite.

"Osaki ni shitsurei shimasu" ("Excuse me for leaving ahead of you") is what a person leaving the workplace first says to colleagues. Those who remain reply, "Otsukaresama deshita" ("Thank you for your hard work"). If you toss the words out and head straight out the door, the conversation ends before the other person can reply. After saying your piece, wait to hear the reply before walking away.

There is one more thing to watch for after the doors close. If you take out your smartphone and look down at the screen right after they close, the guest may notice they forgot something and the doors may open again, and the guest will see you in that state. If you wait a moment after the doors are fully closed and then move away calmly, you can avoid being caught off guard.

References

1. 諏内 えみ, "玄関、エレベーター、車でのお客様のお見送りマナー……印象アップ！," All About, 2024. https://allabout.co.jp/gm/gc/2243/
2. 文/編集部, "エレベーターに乗る時のビジネスマナーとは？乗り降りの仕方、立ち位置、ボタンの押し方を解説," @DIME アットダイム, 2024. https://dime.jp/genre/1199997/
3. 人見 玲子, "営業・商談で「会社訪問する際のマナー」(2)--応接室での振る舞いから辞去まで," マイナビ 第二新卒エージェント CANVAS, 2023. https://mynavi-agent.jp/dainishinsotsu/canvas/2021/02/2-1.html
4. 寿 マリコ, "好印象の美しいお辞儀のポイント・マナーとは？ 印象が良くなる！," All About, 2022. https://allabout.co.jp/gm/gc/474623
5. 中村 由美, "頭を下げても逆に失礼な印象を与える「ダメお辞儀」が危ない！," PRESIDENT WOMAN Online, 2015. https://president.jp/articles/-/18845