Chit chatting in the elevator

[Dr.Colosso]

I always feel obliged to chit chat but what to say when you see someone for the first time? Of course. Complain about the other elevator being broken for ages and those people saying: yeah we have to wait to get a part. It doesn't even bother me so much cause one works. I just had to say something funny. Haha isn't it something with these elevator people. He says: By the way I'm from the company that fixes the elevator.

 

[Imogene]

The only elevators that are in my world is if I am unfortunate enough to have to go to the local hospital and use the elevator there.

When I get on those elevators, I will acknowledge the person or persons in there with either a head nod or “hey, how are you” and not expect an answer back.

Just a friendly acknowledgment because usually people are on hospital elevators because they don’t feel well or they have a family member that doesn’t feel well.

no conversation required, just a friendly acknowledgment where I am from. When we say hey, how are you? We don’t expect a five minute answer back lol lol.

 

[Been There]

While I was still in the military, sometimes I was in uniform when going out and about. That alone was a conversation starter on an elevator, plane, or an eating place like in malls, bistros, lunch areas, etc. I enjoyed talking to people with the exception on planes. I usually flew at night and you know from flying that the Captain turns the cabin lights out. For me, that signaled nap time, especially if I was flying over 2 hours. I learned a lot talking to people I have no connection with and it made time go by.

 

[hollydolly]

I'm in Lifts ( elevators) all the time... Hospital, shopping mall, Supermarket ... Car park...Airport...... I usually don't talk except to ask what floor someone wants

 

[Dr.Colosso]

I'm in Lifts ( elevators) all the time... Hospital, shopping mall, Supermarket ... Car park...Airport...... I usually don't talk except to ask what floor someone wants

This one is from the flat where I live and it's mostly neighbours using it.

 

[hollydolly]

This one is from the flat where I live and it's mostly neighbours using it.

yes that's different , you would chat wouldn't you ?

 

[Nathan]

A smile and a nod is all I have for strangers that make eye contact. If they initiate convo I'll reply, but it better be just minimal and light.

 

[KSav]

After more than a decade in a state where people almost literally fear small talk, I limit myself to a smile and a nod, if that.

A discussion on a North Dakota subreddit once blew up because someone, who said they had moved here from Georgia, asked why people in this state rarely or never acknowledge a friendly "Hey, how ya doing?"

The North Dakota respondents totally overreacted, IMO, saying things like "I don't want to get in a big conversation with a stranger!"

What "big conversation"? In every other state, the basic response is "Fine; how're you?", and it's generally left at that.

People in this state don't seem to have figured out that simple "Hello" is not a request for your life story, or an inventory of your day. The responses to that person's post verged on paranoia.

So I've given up anything other than a cursory nod on elevators and elsewhere.

 

[Dr.Colosso]

After more than a decade in a state where people almost literally fear small talk, I limit myself to a smile and a nod, if that.

A discussion on a North Dakota subreddit once blew up because someone, who said they had moved here from Georgia, asked why people in this state rarely or never acknowledge a friendly "Hey, how ya doing?"

The North Dakota respondents totally overreacted, IMO, saying things like "I don't want to get in a big conversation with a stranger!"

What "big conversation"? In every other state, the basic response is "Fine; how're you?", and it's generally left at that.

People here don't seem to have figured out that simple "Hello" is not a request for your life story, or an inventory of your day. The responses to that person's post verged on paranoia.

So I've given up anything other than a cursory nod on elevators and elsewhere.

In Holland it depends on the town. The one I used to live in nobody said a word or they were grumpy. Here most are friendly and talkative. Just met the neighbour who let the dog out. She asked me about my rabbits and we talked about her dog. It's mostly just about the weather or something or the broken elevator.

 

[MACKTEXAS]

I move with purpose and seldom make eye contact or show expression in confined spaces. If someone speaks, I'll speak, but my mannerisms usually indicate I wouldn't invite anything more.

 

[Dr.Colosso]

Hey he fixed the elevator!

 

[Dr.Colosso]

I move with purpose and seldom make eye contact or show expression in confined spaces. If someone speaks, I'll speak, but my mannerisms usually indicate I wouldn't invite anything more.

A former colleague never said a word and neither did I. I did a Facebook friend request. Turned out he was always chatting online, as was I. Then we chatted an hour or so by text lol. Because I talked so much online and because they literally asked to please say a word (thought it irritated them) I started to talk more in real life too.

 

[Murrmurr]

When people step into an elevator after I do, I always smile and say "Hi, how you doin?" and 98% of them smile back and start talking, I say something humorous, and then a good 80% of the time, we start joking back and forth.

Makes the ride seem quick and it's definitely pleasant.

 

[dobielvr]

Since it's such an informal meeting, I usually just say something about the weather. ie: lovely day today or brrr it's really cold outside

 

[Lewkat]

I find it annoying when people are yakking in an an elevator.