Press elevator buttons with a finger vs Press with a knuckle or elbow

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Some people jab an elevator button with a fingertip without a second thought. Others reach for a knuckle, an elbow, or even a key, just to avoid touching a surface that countless strangers have pressed. The fingertip camp likes the speed, accuracy, and sheer normalness of it, while the knuckle-and-elbow camp likes the small sense of distance. The split mostly comes down to habit and how much each person thinks about shared surfaces.

FAQ

Why do people disagree about how to press elevator buttons?
An elevator button is touched by everyone, so people differ in how much that bothers them. Add in childhood habits, whether your hands are full, and the simple comfort of doing what feels natural, and you get two quite different routines.
What is the case for pressing with a finger?
It is the most natural and precise way to press. Even small or tightly packed buttons are easy to hit, you never have to think about it, and your hand stays free of awkward workarounds.
What is the case for using a knuckle or elbow?
It keeps your fingertips off a surface many people touch, which feels reassuring to those who care about that. It also works well when your hands are full of bags. Some people still wash or sanitize their hands afterward anyway.

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