I think you have the elevator example crossed. My random testing suggests the door open button always works. The close button sometimes is as you say, just to make people feel like they have a measure of control.

Go on your own. You likely know this, but saying it just in case.

There is an effective formula for feedback I like.

1. When you x it has y effect
2. Pause for them to reply, ask questions, or even better - suggest an alternative
3. It would be better if z

In this case, when you make repeat the same joke it loses all humor value and becomes an annoyance.

It would be better if jokes were limited in use, and certainly not repeated.

Set u a forward from the Gmail address to the new one, and maintain the account at least minimally. As a reference, I have an account created at least 14 years ago still forwarding email. Should be enough time to change the profiles.