We just had the elevator at the hotel where I work renovated, and the numbers are now on the side instead of overhead. Why on earth do our guests stare up at the ceiling still?
2006-08-10 08:01:04 · 30 answers · asked by ShavenLlama 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
They are pretending not to be looking at the butt of the person in front of them.
2006-08-10 08:05:51 · answer #1 · answered by photonic_beam 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
1. Possibly because they don't want to breathe down anyone's back.
2. They've see too many action movies in which someone comes through the ceiling to assassinate someone in particular on that elevator.
3. I personally listen for unusual sounds. I was once on an elevator with a woman & we both hear a loud snap & the sound of a coil springing. The elevator dropped a foot. What can you do. We tried the emergency telecom, but no response. So, we joked that we did not want this to be written in the obituaries as the reason we died. Suddenly it dropped again, but to a floor & the doors opened. We contacted engineering quickly, hugged each other and went our ways. You never know.
2006-08-10 11:21:19 · answer #2 · answered by mitch 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Maybe a reflex action they use to avoid making eye contact with the other people in the elevator? I don't know. I usually just stare at the doors of the elevator myself.
2006-08-10 08:05:03 · answer #3 · answered by boukenger 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Try looking someone in the face next time you are on an elevator and you will understand why. It makes them nervous. Soon you will feel it, too. I can now stare at people in the face on an elevator until they turn their back to me. Takes a while to get this "ballsy" but it can be done.
2006-08-10 08:05:52 · answer #4 · answered by hack_ace 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Because most people are used to looking up to see the floor numbers. Also, its a way to not inadvertently stare at the other people in the elevator.
2006-08-10 08:08:20 · answer #5 · answered by lost_irish_75 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
that's an awesome question!
seriously, though.
i have no frigging idea why people do that, but when i think about it, everyone i've ever been in an elevator with (myself including) always look up at the ceiling--well, maybe not the ceiling, but the top of the doors, as if watching for them to open can get them where they want to get any sooner.
2006-08-10 08:06:20 · answer #6 · answered by browneyzz90 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most elevators have those lights that change when you go up a floor and it is best to stare at something that has some kind of movement or people might think youre on drugs. If there isnt one they might do it out of habit.
2006-08-10 08:49:24 · answer #7 · answered by drunkbomber 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There are many psychological experiements on people in elevators. Basically, everyone is put it a very awkward situation regarding invasion of personal space, and are trying to cope.
2006-08-10 08:05:39 · answer #8 · answered by Rjmail 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well, in order to avoid conversation and uneasiness, where else can they look? At the floor? Sure, but maybe they prefer to look at an empty ceiling instead of at everyone's feet.
2006-08-10 08:17:47 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Probably force of habit, but also an accepted way to avoid eye contact with others in an enclosed space without appearing deliberately rude.
2006-08-10 08:05:50 · answer #10 · answered by nudie chick 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Shyness. Mirrors on the ceiling?
2006-08-10 08:05:52 · answer #11 · answered by soxrcat 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋