Sunday 28 January 2018

Elevator Personalities

I have often observed people's behaviour just as they are trying to make an entrance in to the elevator/lift. Some people display these traits on a regular basis and some display it from time to time, based on the situation. If I think about myself, I have displayed at least 2 of these personalities based on the situation. These are based on my experience and observations at work, at my apartment building, at malls etc. I hope next time you take an elevator, please do look around to see if you can find one of these personalities. Also, I hope it will help in observation of one's own elevator entrance behaviour. There are several elevator personalities after they enter the lift and I can ramble about those for days and months, so, will restrict myself to the elevator personalities based on their entrance.

1. The Conformist

These are who we call "normal" people. They call for the elevator and when it arrives, enter in. Most of the people are expected to display this trait and to a great extent, most people do. This personality does not generate much of an interest for the other passengers in the lift.


2. The Runner

The Runners do not really call for the elevator. They are usually running late for the elevator or maybe just want to capitalise on the elevator which is readily available on the floor. They usually sprint towards the elevator and stretch out their arm through the entry way of the elevator to prevent the elevator doors from closing and breathe a sign of relief once in. The other passengers really appreciate the athleticism and consider the Runner's entry as a personal victory.



3. The Good Samaritan

These are people who are really selfless when it comes to their friends. While the Good Samaritans are on time for entering the elevator, they also want to ensure, their friends who are expected at the lift, but not already there, do not miss the bus. The Good Samaritans are of 2 types- The aggressive and the passive.
The Aggressive: They making an entry like a Conformist but prevent the elevator doors from closing by standing on the entry way of the elevator with half of the body in and half of the body out and usually call out to their friends to be quick. I hope the below pictography gives you an idea of what I am trying to convey.


The Passive: These just hold the >--< button inside the elevator until their friends arrive.

The other passengers in the lift are sometimes patient and sometimes impatient (based on the situation) with this personality.

4. The Indecisive

These are people who call for the lift. When the lift arrives, they are very confused. It is as though they never called for the lift and wonder if they can make the best possible use of the lift, now that it has arrived. They come close to the entrance and have still not decided if they should enter or not, while keeping the other passengers within the lift on tenterhooks with the suspense they create. The other passengers usually mentally applaud such personalities when they finally take a decision, if ever.

5. The Chatty

Usually, these are at least 2 people at once. They are engrossed in such a deep exchange of ideas and thoughts that they do not even realise that the elevator is waiting for them. However, when they do realise, they try and enter at the same time- now, based on their sizes, sometimes it is a success and sometimes a fail but eventually, they manage to make the entry. The other passengers in the lift usually do not pay attention to the people but to the topic of discussion- after all, what could be so immersive that you forget the lift!



6. The Missing

The last type of elevator personality that I have observed are the mysterious Missing ones. They call for the elevator, just before they change their minds and decide to leave even before the elevator can arrive. Quite often, the other passengers within the lift see the lift open on a certain floor but do not see the person who called for it. The elevator waits the pre-set timing  and shuts its doors, while generating a lot of suspense for the other passengers- who could that person be!! why would he/she leave?? Is there really no one who wants to get in on this floor??



If you come across, any other kind of elevator personalities, do let me know. I would love to update the post with it.

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