Elevator Stares

I ride an elevator every day. (Oops, in proper English, I should say I take the lift each day). Anyway, it is probably the slowest ride in the world, taking at least 5 minutes to climb four stories.

The problem with riding in elevators is that everyone always tries to avoid your stare - or is it just my stare they try to avoid? They look down, They look up. They watch the floor progress indicator like it's the most interesting thing they have ever seen. And they don't have any dreaded muzak to avidly listen to, either.

I rebel against all that. You see, I am one of those "elevator talkers". I cannot ride the four floors without speaking to my travelling companion(s), even if it is just the obligatory comment about the weather.

Do they hate me for it? I am sure some do. But I am also sure that some really want to speak but just can't get up enough courage in the two floors before they get off, so I am providing them with a valuable service.

Until the day they put me in a straightjacket, that is...