Entering a small elevator, especially if someone’s already inside:
First “Bom dia/tarde/noite”, then “Posso?” before entering
As you reach to press your button:
“Com licença”
When exiting:
another “Bom dia/tarde/noite”
It may sound too formal, but I’m firmly on the side of these small pleasantries. They’re the soft edges of a community… a small “price” to pay to stop a place from feeling like everyone’s just passing through each other. We are wired for connection, after all.
Tbh I’ve said “bom dia” to more people in a month, in Portugal…. than I’ve done in 30 years in London.