Small talk in the elevator
To master the art of small talk in the elevator, one needs to observe a few basics. First, calculate the amount of time you have to reach your floor. Then, sneak a peak to see which floor the other person is going to, and how much time remains to engage in the forthcoming small talk in the elevator.
The most important thing when considering the initiation of any small talk is to judge whether your elevator companion is fit for the task. Is he tired? Is he already engaged in conversation with someone? If so, keep your words to yourself.
If the "other person" looks like they could do with some chit-chat, by all means, go ahead. Remember, be brief, and be humourous, for evoking a little laughter is the key to pleasant small talk in any confined space. Above all, time your talk so when you reach your floor, the conversation is perfectly timed to finish.
Et voila. Always say "goodbye" with a smile, even if it was the first word exchanged.
17 comments:
I always thought that the rule written in stone about elevator small talk is that there is none!
Haha, it's so awkward in elevators that I just want to burst out laughing.
I believe that once the doors are shut, the only language spoken should be body language.
My, my. Those are two deep comments to a not very deep post.
LOL
The philosophy of life, always interesting when one can't exactly define it.
Elevator small talk eh? I have plenty of those with myself on the way up and on the way down : )
Talks with perfect strangers happens occasionally - I usually compliment the perfume she is wearing under the pretence it's, I'd like to get something like that for my mom - 'cause it smells really really nice :) Thiscan go either way up i.e. a continued conversation or down...
However I agree, usually a lighthearted chat starts with eye contact - the timing has to be perfect, and more often than once, it just happens (to be perfect). I like chatting up with perfect (nice) strangers in elevators - especially here in the city, when you have trips to the stratosphere every other day.
Neat post i*... quite well written.
wow.. Rosh.. the master of seduction :)
*rosh, lol. I must say, this post has generated some pretty deep and amusing comments as well. I've had a right laugh reading the responses!
Thanks, glad you like it.
I suppose I also think some experiences of small chat in the elevator are quite memorable. I mean, where else can one say hi to a guy on a Harley, for instance!
The perfume one...sometimes I'll ask a girl about her perfume esp if it's truly gorgeous and I want it, but if a guy asked me that and he wasn't cute, I'd be like hmmm ummm lol
*buj, how would you know that about rosh? Hmmm lol ;)
*and finally I would like to thank Gulf News for liking me yet again. Adam Flinter you are cool!
http://gulfnews.com/tabloid/Society/10139664.html
mabrook on the GN mention :)
yesterday i was in the elevator with a young man at work, it was very brief, but he had a small tantrum about something that's bothering him with work and then left at his floor.
I didn't understand anything, nor was it entertaining, which is why I think silence is necessary in lifts.
As for your question regarding Rosh.. I just inferred it from his comment above ;)
The building I live in has a computer institute where local girls and guys come to get certifications in ICDL (International Computer Driving License). It is on the Mezanine floor and I often find myself in the elevator with a good looking Arab lady (and the fragrance they wear... tests the imaan to another level :P).
Recently there was one who was in the elevator going to her institute while I had come back from work. She made ABSOLUTELY sure that I didn't miss her nicely done, manicured nails! It had me smiling when she stepped out of the elevator! I guess she was expecting a compliment, but I didn't want to risk a tight slap across my face :P
Sigh... women can just take over the senses of a man!
I take it you've never met Mr. Flinter....
Cool ain't the word I'd use, decent bloke yes, but cool????
*Buj " I just inferred it from his comment above ;)" ahem, yeah right. You guys are organising tea parties and forgot ME - umm so much for thinking the thoughts I had of you both (individually)
slander? yeah. love it.
That guy, is he below you? Maybe the chat was office politics! Non?
*al republican, what on earth was she flashing her nails at you for? Had she no pouted mouth from which to speak from? Man, these ladies of lovin': if only they knew what a lover they'd be sharing the lift with...they wouldn't be keeping their nails to themselves for long, I'd imagine!
"women can just take over the senses of a man!" - when they open their mouths, those senses might just become a little more interesting, or maybe not? Who knows.
Best for those nail-flashing women to take a course in elevator small talk!
*al republican, there was a little jealousy and envy in that comment. Hope you didn't notice, I just couldn't help it!
That guy, is he below you? Maybe the chat was office politics! Non?
A guy below me is no fun.
Hahaha, why so?? :)
The "nail girl" didn't miss on much I can assure you!
*Buj
A guy below me is no fun.
If we're talking about work, as opposed to "personal" preferences, then what's the point of office politics; of working; of rising to power?
There's no point, as a (bricklayer), of ever aspiring to own the building one works in, then - according to your comment.
*al republican, if I had the fortune of being in the lift with you for about 30 seconds, I wonder what I would have said? ;) lol umm what would you have said? hahaha
How about, "Are you Pakistani?" :P
I actually just smile at people if they make eye contact with me. And sometimes say "hello". If I am certain it's a Muslim, I say salam.
imaginate; i disagree, its a very deep topic. elevators can define our society. lol.
here, this is something i wrote a while back
http://ammar456.blogspot.com/2007/08/elevators.html
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