Sailing Across the World of Sandwiches

The most common awkward situation that I’ve been through is a full elevator. I am just sandwiched shoulder to shoulder between people quietly riding up the floors. I always look around at everyone and make awkward eye contact.

https://www.npr.org/sections/krulwich/2013/04/15/177335104/who-stands-where-in-a-crowded-elevator-and-why

I do not hate silence, but I feel as though an elevator riddle should be fun and entertaining. Maybe not a party, but at least some sort of acknowledgment. A “hello” or a head nod to acknowledge the other person’s existence.

The worst part is when the door opens and you notice 8 eyes staring back at you. It is as if they are begging that you do not ride up and turn the sandwich into a double-decker. There is a strange silence that hangs in the air as if the riders have stopped their conversation just as the doors open. However, there is always a reason I ride the elevator, or else I would just walk up the stairs.

Reluctantly I enter the elevator and shuffle my way into the small space. I try to acknowledge them by saying hello and am met with a quiet stare. This seems to be a universal experience for anyone riding an elevator. Why are people not more friendly in elevators? What social standards are in place that ensures nobody speaks on elevator rides?

Is it only appropriate to say hello when there is one other person in the elevator? When one person is sandwiched between people, it’s a higher level of intrapersonal communication. You are sharing a small space with someone else while nearly touching them, it is a lot of interaction for complete strangers.

I would assume that conversation while you are awkwardly squished between people would ease the tension in the air and make the ride more pleasant. However, communication in this instance intensifies the awkwardness.

It continues to be increasingly more awkward as you try to reach around the people to push the button. Sometimes, you cannot reach it without bumping someone else and then having to profusely apologize to them. It is an endless circle of embarrassment and an exponential increase of awkwardness.

As you arrive at the floor someone is getting off at, then it is a little shuffle, as somehow the person who needs to exit is always at the back of the elevator. Thankfully, when they exit, the sandwich is smaller; a topping has been lost.

Then the doors remain open for a seemingly obnoxious amount of time and the rest of you are just standing there waiting for the door to close. It is now the responsibility of the person closest to the buttons to press the door close button. Sometimes it does not work and you have to push it again.

Overall, being smushed between people in a small enclosed space could be more pleasant than it is. There’s not enough space for everyone to exist with enough personal space, so it’s unnatural. However, passengers could do better to promote a more enjoyable riding experience.