For American friends a "lift" is an elevator!!
Is it me, or does anyone want to giggle in lifts and say silly things? I think I have "lift tourettes"!
2006-07-14 10:51:03 · 37 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
I am totally surprised by the responses. I truly was not aware that so many people had "extraneous sound issues" within lifts or maybe there is a general preoccupation or new trend for "trumping" that has passed me by.......perplexing!!!
2006-07-14 11:22:01 · update #1
On my honeymoon my wife and I stayed at the Plaza in NY. Prior to getting in the lift she dropped one (jet lag and McDonald's to blame) There were a few posh Americans already on board and the pump followed us in. I'm not saying my wife is to blame for the lack of talking on lifts, but she certainly dosen't help.
2006-07-14 10:59:07 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
I am British and spent much of 2004 back and forth to the USA for work... In the main, both nations are quiet in lifts...
For what it's worth, I often try to make a few light comments - and people respond positively, but nervously. I think it has something to do with the fact that you are already invading their personal space by being so close in the lift. If you then proceed to talk to them (which is kind-of taking control) it can be quite threatening to most people...
...besides, to all of you who have the urge to break wind in the lift - if there is conversation, it is more likely to drown out any "peeps" and "parps"...
2006-07-15 22:53:43 · answer #2 · answered by Aidy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A friend of mine got into the lift at Hampstead tube station in London once - it's the deepest in the whole system - and as soon as the door shut the only other person in it, a woman of about 30, said to him: "Beat me! Beat me!"
An early case of lift-induced Tourette's, clearly.
I think it's to avoid scenes of that kind that people prefer to keep quiet in lifts.
2006-07-15 00:04:54 · answer #3 · answered by Dramafreak 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If a person were to talk to me in the lift then I'm sure I'd answer, but I'm not going to start singing or chatting to the nearest person about the lifty smell.
Next time I go in the lift though I'll blame you if I get the giggles!
2006-07-15 01:30:34 · answer #4 · answered by floppity 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think everyone is silent in lifts. Not just British.
It's not just you with the lifts tourettes though. I get that feeling too but not just in lifts. Used to get a lot in exams. I'd want to shout and yell...not sure why.
2006-07-14 10:58:21 · answer #5 · answered by Charlottestar 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We are silent in lifts and on tube trains and in most shared small spaces because it is polite. Why are Americans so god damn noisy every where? You can hear them a mile off!!
British people also rarely wear the checked lycra travelling trousers sported by many of our US visitors!
2006-07-15 05:58:20 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's like entrapment, people object to having to be so close to people they don't know. It's like I have to show you that I am forced to be here but I dont want to be, and I can't wait for the experience to finish.
I think that your feelings about it demonstrate that you are well aware of peoples discomfort and you actually quite enjoy it. It's probably your way of dealing with it. You are probably a little uncomfortable too, that is why you are so in tune with it.
2006-07-14 20:13:25 · answer #7 · answered by Veritas 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When I was in nurses training at Mercy Hospital, we were taught not to speak on the elevator. Of course the urge to giggle over took us from time to time.
2006-07-14 12:17:55 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
British people go silent in lifts because of the need to hear other people fart! Hmm... maybe not... maybe they are just listening to the lift music...
2006-07-14 10:54:40 · answer #9 · answered by Lucas Brown 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The British are too reserved and do not like talking with each other. BTW I've found MOST Americans I've met to be charming and polite.
2006-07-14 11:01:59 · answer #10 · answered by cognito44 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋