2006-12-11 22:12:05 · 12 answers · asked by timothy p 1 in Social Science ➔ Psychology
I think people just want to get out of the elevator ASAP because afterall they're strangers to one another and so everyone just minds their own business.
2006-12-11 22:21:09 · answer #1 · answered by xander 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's a "western" aspect of life.
Here in the east things are different.
I am going to give u another example of places u r quiet in :
A doctor'clinic and a bus maybe. Here we start talking abt anything , football, the weather , politics maybe.
However , I don't think we talk in elevators. Cuz the time u spend is not enough to start a conversation. But some people do it.But if u r with a friend or something u talk ofcourse.
2006-12-12 17:18:15 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
what do you have to say to a bunch of strangers in an elevator!!??? do you want to know which floor they are getting off on???
Elevators are an enclosed space. People just want to get out! This is also the reason that people rarely look at each other in elevators!!! We are lacking the personal space that we otherwise require in our daily lives. You don't stand that close to people you talk to (and even know)...
2006-12-12 06:15:06 · answer #3 · answered by INC0GNIT0 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
did you ever get that mass email forward about fun/zany things to do in an elevator? I don't have it anymore, but some of them I remember:
Crack open your briefcase/bag/purse, and while peering inside ask: "Got enough air in there?"
face the wrong way
make explosion noises when anyone pushes a button
bring a friend--talk about your contagious disease
stare at someone for awhile, then cry in horror "we're moving"
I would never do any of these, and would probably not enjoy someone else doing them, but they still make me laugh! :-)
2006-12-12 06:26:34 · answer #4 · answered by Netty 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it's because the elevator is such a small space. People are naturally defensive (most relaxed postures are actually defensive signals, like crossing the arms to and slouching to protect vital organs). Being in such a small space, I reckon people automatically turn silent because they don't want to be judged by their words.
2006-12-12 06:23:36 · answer #5 · answered by gloopy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I always thought it would be fun to turn around and look everyone in the eye and start singing "Somewhere Over The Rainbow" at the top of my lungs!
2006-12-12 06:14:05 · answer #6 · answered by Banting B 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
who said we have to.. i love scaring people in the elevator by acting crazy... unfortunatley am a little shy soo i just smile and say hi
2006-12-12 18:17:56 · answer #7 · answered by lollypop 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think it is because of our discomfort of the close proximity of others to us. Or we want to be able to tell which one farted.
2006-12-12 06:15:49 · answer #8 · answered by moose on the loose 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You don't have to be quiet. There's no law against it.
2006-12-12 06:44:58 · answer #9 · answered by JudasHero 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
as we feel it difficult to strike conversatioon with strangers.
or else we like talking.
2006-12-12 06:29:58 · answer #10 · answered by Kumar 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋