In the Lift in Spain
Floors, holding doors, getting stuck and small talk with neighbours in a Spanish block of flats.
Most Spaniards live in flats, so the lift is where you meet your neighbours: you ask '¿sube o baja?', say which floor, and chat for a few seconds. Floors are counted from the 'bajo' (ground floor), and flats are named by floor and letter, like 'el quinto B'. When the lift breaks, the 'comunidad de vecinos' has to sort it out. The cards follow a newcomer's first days in their building.
- 1
¿Sube o baja?
Are you going up or down?
- 2
¿A qué piso?
Which floor?
- 3
Al tercero, por favor.
Third, please.
- 4
¡Aguántame la puerta!
Hold the door for me!
- 5
¿Cabe uno más?
Is there room for one more?
- 6
Sube tú, yo cojo el siguiente.
You go, I'll get the next one.
- 7
El ascensor está estropeado.
The lift is out of order.
- 8
Nos toca subir andando.
We'll have to walk up.
- 9
El ascensor se ha quedado atascado.
The lift's got stuck.
- 10
Dale al botón de alarma.
Press the alarm button.
- 11
Tranquilo, que ahora vienen.
Don't worry, they'll be here any minute.
- 12
Tengo un poco de claustrofobia.
I'm a bit claustrophobic.
- 13
Yo voy al bajo.
I'm going to the ground floor.
- 14
Perdona, ¿me dejas salir?
Excuse me, can I get out?
- 15
¡Que tengas buen día!
Have a good day!
- 16
¿Te acabas de mudar?
Have you just moved in?
- 17
Vivo en el quinto B.
I live on the fifth floor, flat B.
- 18
¿Qué botón le doy?
Which button do I press?
- 19
Con el carrito vamos un poco justos.
It's a bit of a squeeze with the pushchair.
- 20
Aviso al presidente de la comunidad.
I'll let the residents' association president know.