Otsukaresamadesu

[Neil2]

People in the elevator at my apartment say otsukaresamadesu sometimes when they get out. Presumably they see I'm coming home from work. What is the normal reply? To shitsureishimasu it is to repeat, even if they get out first. otsukaresamadesu has me stumped, though.

[Mikawa Ossan]

"arigatou gozaimasu" should be fine.

[Neil2]

Never thought of that. Many thanks.

[Toritoribe]

Or, you can reply "otsukaresama desu" especially when they seem to come home from work as well. It's a convenient greeting at work that could have many meanings like "sayounara," "okaerinasai" etc.

[FrustratedDave]

Or, you can reply "otsukaresama desu" especially when they seem to come home from work as well. It's a convenient greeting at work that could have many meanings like "sayounara," "okaerinasai" etc.
I agree with toritoribe, "otsukaresama desu" is the appropriate word for this situation.

[Mikawa Ossan]

I would agree at the workplace, but at the apartment building where you live to your neighbors? It seems strange to me, unless they are friends or something in this situation.

[ASHIKAGA]

This is a tough one. If a person is coming into the aparment building elevator at the end of the day dressed in a business attire, it is perfectly appropriate to greet him/her with Otsukare-sama. However, if I was the one doing the greeting and was on my way out, it would be a bit odd for him/her to say to me Otsukare-sama back. What I would do is counter the greeting with 「あ、どうも。こんばんは。」or something like that.

Remember, your neighbor is saying Otsukare-sama to be neighborly/friendly to you. You can't go wrong no matter which of the suggestions you use as long as you have a smile on your face to show your appreciation for your neighbor's gesture. :-)