mde2001 Posted October 19, 2015 Share Posted October 19, 2015 So, I live in a tall apartment building so I have this problem a lot. I use a lift quite regularly and unfortunately there are other other people who sometimes get into these lifts when I am in them. Being the awkward and anxious person I am this always worries me a bit. The question is- do I awkwardly stand in silence or greet these people. My default is a sort of nod of the head and slight hello noise but this isn't always successful. Sometimes people give me a "why on earth are you trying to talk to me you strange child" look while sometimes people have the "why aren't you engaging in proper conversation young man" look. This is why often now I just remain in silence- causing very awkward, long silences during the 30 to 40 seconds we are in the lift. So, what do you do in lifts? Do you greet people, ignore people or are you one of those strange social people who actually talks to them? I'd be interested to see if others have this dilemma. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TimTim Posted October 19, 2015 Share Posted October 19, 2015 I usually just stay quiet and do my own things in lifts, as most Asians are not so cozy around each others in public places(but i cant speak for everyone obviously), but if they happen to be my nearby neighbours in the lifts, i would still make small talks just to be polite~I admire your courage to reach out to strangers actually~ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kamina Posted October 19, 2015 Share Posted October 19, 2015 I live in the 12th floor of an apartment. I just pull up my phone and and see if there is anything interesting while I'm on the elevator with people I don't know. I don't see the need to randomly talk to strangers if I'm not going to be interested in what they have to say. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheSilentSerenade Posted October 19, 2015 Share Posted October 19, 2015 I tend to at least smile at people in lifts, and when some people smile, but others don't, I smile at the people who smile back at me, I look away from the people who don't smile back at me, and then I just stare at the lift doors until the lift stops. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Global Mods Ice Cream Sand Witch Posted October 19, 2015 Global Mods Share Posted October 19, 2015 No one's ever talked to me in an elevator before, so I've never said anything. also how do you have over 1000 posts already didn't you have 600something the other day Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Narckarth Posted October 19, 2015 Share Posted October 19, 2015 Remain silent and completely ignore anyone else in the elevator and if somebody is really trying their heart out to make a new friend tell them to stop talking to me cause I don't care about them, remember if you gain a reputation as a rude person people will avoid you like the plague. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vinny Posted October 19, 2015 Share Posted October 19, 2015 If the person that enters the elevator is somebody I know, then we will talk, whether I like it or not. If it is someone that I don't know though, I'll acknowledge their presence. And then I'll proceed to ignore them once the person is in the elevator. That's why I'm usually with my headphones, to avoid unnecessary conversation. also how do you have over 1000 posts already didn't you have 600something the other day Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darvan Korematsu Posted October 19, 2015 Share Posted October 19, 2015 Usually staying quiet unless there's something worth bringing up is the way to go about elevators usually. If you were working in an office, a brief hello is fine as a sign of etiquette. Oh and also try not to pass any gas while in an elevator. People tend to not like that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sejiren Posted October 19, 2015 Share Posted October 19, 2015 I tend to ignore people on bigger lifts, downward-nod and (sometimes) smile on smaller ones. So interaction only if they need to get close to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Synchronoise Posted October 19, 2015 Share Posted October 19, 2015 I usually turn around with my back against the door and look at them You spend like what, 20 seconds in a lift at most. That's way too little time to strike up a conversation unless you're in Austin. It's justifiable to just keep quiet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goldeneyes Posted October 19, 2015 Share Posted October 19, 2015 As far as what one should do, the answer is be polite(smile, nod, say hello, give them a high-five, whatever people do in your area). How much it matters? Not very much, all things considered. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blanchette Posted October 19, 2015 Share Posted October 19, 2015 Not sure if this helps for you, but I usually stand near the buttons so I smile and ask them where they're going~ Then they start talking to me by themselves for better or for worse Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Avatar of Grima Posted October 19, 2015 Share Posted October 19, 2015 Unless they initiate conversation, I just stand there and possibly smile, if I find myself near the buttons I ask what floor, other than that I just silently wait to reach my floor. If it so happens that the person gets in the way I do ask politely if they would move Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dead account Posted October 19, 2015 Share Posted October 19, 2015 I tend to just avoid lifts altogether because of the awkwardness involved. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TRHStatement Posted October 19, 2015 Share Posted October 19, 2015 Just blow an airhorn when someone else tries to get in so you keep the elevator to yourself ^ - D-D-Don't do that. You will be physically injured OR GET INTO AN EPIC AIRHORN BATTLE But in all seriousness, invest in some headphones and practice giving subtle smiles and headnods. Elevator rides last, at the maximum, a minute. Not really enough time for small talk for someone you don't care about anyways. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SkyRunner Posted October 19, 2015 Share Posted October 19, 2015 I tend to smile at the people in the lift. And I make a remark if something mildly entertaining happens. That's pretty much it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maelstrom Posted October 19, 2015 Share Posted October 19, 2015 If someone makes eye contact with me, I nod at them. If not, then not. I'm rarely a talkative person. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mde2001 Posted October 20, 2015 Author Share Posted October 20, 2015 No one's ever talked to me in an elevator before, so I've never said anything. also how do you have over 1000 posts already didn't you have 600something the other day Depends how long ago the other day was. I've sped up a lot (and spend well to much time here) but would have been at 600 around two months ago I think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ojama Yellow Posted October 20, 2015 Share Posted October 20, 2015 I nod and/or put up a small smile to greet them. That's usually about it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickCrash Posted October 20, 2015 Share Posted October 20, 2015 I press random buttons and make explosion noises. Seriously tho, if the building is less than 7 floors tall, I take the stairs because it's faster. Otherwise, it depends on whether you know the people or not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BIGJRA Posted October 21, 2015 Share Posted October 21, 2015 I'll usually just pull out my phone and pretend that it's more important than the strangers in the elevator... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mde2001 Posted October 21, 2015 Author Share Posted October 21, 2015 I press random buttons and make explosion noises. Seriously tho, if the building is less than 7 floors tall, I take the stairs because it's faster. Otherwise, it depends on whether you know the people or not. I'd take the stairs if I could. But walking up over 50 flights of stairs isn't really practical. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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