Why are people afraid to say hello in an elevators???

Question

IT ALWAYS SEEMS AS IF PEOPLE ARE SCARED TO INVADE YOUR LIFE OR SAY HELLO ANYMORE, I JUST DONT'GET IT..SO I AM CHALLENGING AMERICA TO SAY HELLO TO THE STRANGER IN THE ELEVATOR , JUST SAY HI I DARE YOU!!!
WHO KNOWS YOU COULD MEET YOUR SOULMATE, OR A NEW FRIEND...TRY IT..

Answer 1

It is not fear so much as an internalized a social norm that people don't violate because of possible social repercussions. But I don't think most people are consciously afraid of talking to others in an elevator.

I'm all for it though - go for it!

Answer 2

I would love to accept your challenge to say hello to strangers in an elevator. I really would. At least in theory. If I lived in Kansas or Iowa, I probably wouldn't give it a second thought. In Des Moines, I might make a new friend by saying hello. Living in New York City, however, saying "hello" to a stranger in an elevator is tantamount to walking into the psychiatric ward of Bellevue and making a loud announcement that you are available to "talk" should anyone need a friend.

Answer 3

Let's see. First I'd have to find an elevator..... then I'd have to drag someone else into it.... you know how hard this is to do in Wyoming?

Seriously, out here we still hold doors for each other and we still thank people for holding the doors. It's also not unusual to get into conversations with strangers in lines. Happens all the time. I suspect the elevator would be no different if we had one.

Answer 4

I don't think they are scared; I think it is more that they just don't care. It is same reason why people say, "Hi. How are you?" as you pass them in the hall at work, for example, but don't stop to actually listen for a response to the question. People want to be perceived as friendly, but really could care less about how others are doing. If they say hello to someone in an elevator, then they will actually be forced to be friendly because they just walk by, avoiding a conversation.

Answer 5

OK, I'm going to be the boring one and give you the actual historical answer:

New York, the king of the high rises and elevators, has a municipal law on their books from a long time ago (that is still on the books because no lawmakers has bothered to take it off) that basically states that it is a misdemeanor to speak in the elevator or lifts.

Thus, the culture of remaining silent in elevators was born and at it still remains.

Answer 6

I'm not, I greet people every day and I do not have a problem with it. I get friendly greetings back, too. Whatever you put out comes back to you, it is amazing. Look for this and you will see. As for elevators, it is so very typical. It has something to do with being in such a small space, completely enclosed, with strangers, everyone is going to their own destinations, etc. It is no big deal really.

Answer 7

I think it is not fear, but silence, a group of strangers in a elevator that says nothing is mainly like when you see a stranger minding his/her own Business you would leave them be right? Well that is practically the same situation, You can say hello, Nod your head, what not nothing stopping us from saying hello, or buzz off. (Even in an elevator)

Answer 8

I do say hello. People don't respond. I don't care about somebody I meet in an elevator, I met them once and that's probably the only time that I ever will.

Answer 9

I say hi in elevators all the time and most people say hi back.

Answer 10

with all the violance people are scared poopless. If they realized that saying hello or giving a smile to someone could change their day for the better even prevent something bad happening from a little kindness that would be great