Have you ever observed people when standing in an elevator? I do every day, as I take the elevator up 4 floors to my office. I absolutely hate standing in an elevator with other people. There always seems to be this weird awkwardness. Some people feel obligated to start up a friendly conversation, while others act like they are at risk for getting some communicable disease. I love it when people ask "4th floor, huh? Which company you with?"

The most interesting observation I have noticed is what people look at when waiting to get to their destination. (Our elevator is almost slower than just taking the stairs, by the way). People always look at the ceiling of the elevator or straight down at the floor. Why? Are they checking for cobwebs? Are they praying, and bowing their heads in reverence? It bugs the crap out of me! What ever happened to just looking straight ahead? Also, people for some reason feel the need to check their watch, or pull out their cell phone while waiting. "Hmmm, did I just miss a call while standing in this deadly quiet elevator?". I guess it is just the things people do to kill time. Sometimes, I want to make a comment like, "man, they really should have thought of a better color for the ceiling, wouldn't you agree?", or "man, you gotta be careful in these elevators, cuz I heard that there are mad rats that periodically run around in here... keep an eye out"

Next time you are in an elevator, watch the people standing around you. Chances are, they won't be looking anywhere but straight up or straight down, with the occaisional cell phone/watch check.

Is is wierd that this bothers me?