Thursday, 6 October 2005
The Unspoken Uncomfortable Eye Diversionary Tactic
As of yesterday, I have moved from the 2nd floor to the 8th floor of the building I work in. I got spoiled being able to walk up a flight of stairs and not have to wait for the elevator. For our floor, only 2 of the 5 elevators go to Floor 8 so I’ve already experienced some wait times while I was moving all my stuff.
Like most building built in the past 20 years, the inside doors and front wall are mirror-like. An advantage to this if you are by yourself is you can see if you are presentable – hair is neat, blemishes don’t show, boogers not showing… But the aspect that I, like most people, aren’t fond of is the “where do you place your stare” scenario. If you’re riding the elevator with someone you know, it’s not an issue. You just make small talk. But if you’re among a group where you don’t know anyone, do you stare down at the floor, anti-social-like, or do you stare at the reflection of everyone, hoping that you don’t get caught staring at the young lady’s bosom or the dandruff flakes on a developer’s black shirt?
One of the better inventions in the past decade has been the elevator TV screen. In my previous company’s building, each elevator was outfitted with one of these devices and it showed the basics - news flashes, sports scores, stock market info, weather, photos, quotes. What’s great about this is it minimizes the uncomfortable diverted stares that normally accompany people inside reflective elevators. Just like how the internet allows people to avoid human interaction on many levels, the elevator TV display reduces the need for people to begin any sort of useless small talk between strangers. Sometimes this is breached when someone reads an item on the display and then comments on it to others. These are the same people that feel the need to talk to you on airline flights. An elevator and an airplane are perfect examples of places people should just shut up.
Like most building built in the past 20 years, the inside doors and front wall are mirror-like. An advantage to this if you are by yourself is you can see if you are presentable – hair is neat, blemishes don’t show, boogers not showing… But the aspect that I, like most people, aren’t fond of is the “where do you place your stare” scenario. If you’re riding the elevator with someone you know, it’s not an issue. You just make small talk. But if you’re among a group where you don’t know anyone, do you stare down at the floor, anti-social-like, or do you stare at the reflection of everyone, hoping that you don’t get caught staring at the young lady’s bosom or the dandruff flakes on a developer’s black shirt?
One of the better inventions in the past decade has been the elevator TV screen. In my previous company’s building, each elevator was outfitted with one of these devices and it showed the basics - news flashes, sports scores, stock market info, weather, photos, quotes. What’s great about this is it minimizes the uncomfortable diverted stares that normally accompany people inside reflective elevators. Just like how the internet allows people to avoid human interaction on many levels, the elevator TV display reduces the need for people to begin any sort of useless small talk between strangers. Sometimes this is breached when someone reads an item on the display and then comments on it to others. These are the same people that feel the need to talk to you on airline flights. An elevator and an airplane are perfect examples of places people should just shut up.
Post A Comment
Posted By James at 9:14 AM
Link directly to this article.
Replies
8 Oct 2005
sl
Our stupid office is moving. From the ground floor on a water channel (with windows to the channel and drawbridges we've seen seals, pelicans, and even a small manta ray) next to the China Basin and Giants ballpark/a marina....to the 28th floor of a building directly across the street from the transit 'Transbay' terminal. Where they have been known to close the bathrooms for months at a time due to addict overuse and homeless occupational use. I'm freakin' thrilled. One elevator to the 24th floor and another from there to the 28th. I anticipate the folks will pass their time just looking at me because I will be the one not dressed-for-success and all suited up. All the way up to 24, maybe the stairs up from their won't be locked - yeah, right. The bike rakc is ON the actual ramp up from subterranean 2 to sub1 ON the corner as it comes to ground floor. Insane.
sl
Our stupid office is moving. From the ground floor on a water channel (with windows to the channel and drawbridges we've seen seals, pelicans, and even a small manta ray) next to the China Basin and Giants ballpark/a marina....to the 28th floor of a building directly across the street from the transit 'Transbay' terminal. Where they have been known to close the bathrooms for months at a time due to addict overuse and homeless occupational use. I'm freakin' thrilled. One elevator to the 24th floor and another from there to the 28th. I anticipate the folks will pass their time just looking at me because I will be the one not dressed-for-success and all suited up. All the way up to 24, maybe the stairs up from their won't be locked - yeah, right. The bike rakc is ON the actual ramp up from subterranean 2 to sub1 ON the corner as it comes to ground floor. Insane.
6 Oct 2005
Erich
Of course, the fact that Crowder has no pants on either is a bit disconcerting.....
Erich
Of course, the fact that Crowder has no pants on either is a bit disconcerting.....
6 Oct 2005
Christopher Crowder
I say, back to the door, staring at the passengers, grinning. Make them uncomfortable.
Christopher Crowder
I say, back to the door, staring at the passengers, grinning. Make them uncomfortable.
6 Oct 2005
Developer
...dandruff flakes on a developer’s black shirt...
Dude ... low blow.
Developer
...dandruff flakes on a developer’s black shirt...
Dude ... low blow.
6 Oct 2005
James
"...dandruff flakes on a developer’s black shirt..." - hehe, I couldn't help myself. :) It's actually a variation of a phrase I use - "Like white on rice, like a bum on a ham sandwich, like dandruff on a Star Trek fan"
James
"...dandruff flakes on a developer’s black shirt..." - hehe, I couldn't help myself. :) It's actually a variation of a phrase I use - "Like white on rice, like a bum on a ham sandwich, like dandruff on a Star Trek fan"
6 Oct 2005
Jim
I like those elevator news displays, my last building had them. They sometimes even divert attention away from clevage. As flying concerns, I never actually flown with anybody I've known and thus used to avoid talking to my neighbor, but the last few years I've had some nice chats. One example was talking w/ a nice woman my Atlanta flight to James'.... go figure. My bad luck continues in that I never get assigned a seat next a hot chick (re: Seinfeld episode)
Jim
I like those elevator news displays, my last building had them. They sometimes even divert attention away from clevage. As flying concerns, I never actually flown with anybody I've known and thus used to avoid talking to my neighbor, but the last few years I've had some nice chats. One example was talking w/ a nice woman my Atlanta flight to James'.... go figure. My bad luck continues in that I never get assigned a seat next a hot chick (re: Seinfeld episode)
| View other days blogs | ||||||||
|
| ||||||||
| SUN | MON | TUE | WED | THU | FRI | SAT | ||
| 1 | 2 | 3 | ||||||
| 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | ||
| 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | ||
| 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | ||
| 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | ||
Archives
2006
July June May April March February January 2005
December November October September August July June May
July June May April March February January 2005
December November October September August July June May
Categories
Bookmarks
Search
Looking for something specific?
Try a simple search of the key word.
Try a simple search of the key word.