Button pushing
1) Push button (be that a lift, pedestrian crossing etc)
2) Watch light illuminate
3) Machine now knows you are there. Wait patiently and required action will be carried out by machine.
4) Do not push button repeatedly. Refer to point 3.
(The Archduke of South London I'm in your Girlfriend eating her organs, Fri 17 Oct 2008, 16:50, 3 replies, latest was 16 years ago)

Also
when you wish to cross at a pedestrian crossing, actually press the button. Don't just stand and stare at the traffic.
( Mrs Entity is in hiding., Fri 17 Oct 2008, 22:40, Reply)

I press the lift buttons at work repeatedly...
...because there's some little part of me that thinks it pisses off the lift computer. Plus it makes a soothing beep beep noise every time.
(Tyburn Finds the name Lauren Muff inexplicably funny, Sat 18 Oct 2008, 0:37, Reply)

crossing
Also, if there are no cars for a good few yards, don't press the button and then just walk across, leaving the lights to change and stop the traffic once you're a good 100yds away
( sandettie light vessel automatic New Twitter - @bollocksreally, Sun 19 Oct 2008, 2:15, Reply)