When it comes to observing people, places and things, one definitely needs a sense of humor. Every day, we see a multitude of events and interactions that may or may not register with us. But…every once in a while, something tickles our funny bone to the point that we will forever relish the memory of that moment when we seized fate by the hand and took unsuspecting and seemingly innocent bystanders down that fateful path to the unknown.
This series of articles are about those events……the ones that leave you laughing, shaking your head in wonder, perplexed or just plain speechless.
A perfect example of this is the crowded elevator. Usually, we get into elevators and look at the floor, the ceiling, the walls….but never make eye contact with anyone else in the elevator. Y’all know what I’m talking about……even friends who are engaged in lively conversation suddenly become quiet upon entering an elevator.
Do you remember the scene from the movie Ghost, with Patrick Swayze where he and his colleague got into a crowded elevator, they start talking about a rash and one of them starts coughing and talking about a visit to the doctor and how contagious the condition might be? In my opinion, that was one of the best comedic movie elevator scenes EVER!!! Someday, I might try that.
With that scene in mind, one day I was waiting at the elevator at work and I was the only one there. As the moments ticked by, more people came….they came with bags, baskets, in wheelchairs, bearing gifts, folders, flowers and such. There was lively conversation, laughter, use of cell phones and smiles. There were about 10 of us. The elevator arrives, the doors open and it is empty, so everyone starts to get in and the obligatory silence ensues. Now, being a considerate individual, I waited for everyone else to go in first. As I saw the elevator fill up, I opted to wait for the next one. A brave soul proudly proclaimed, “Awe, come on in, we can all fit.” So, I did…and that is when “it” happened.
Please understand that the elevator was pretty darn full. As I entered the elevator, I made sure that everyone’s tail feathers were in before I let the doors close. As fate would have it, I happened to enter the elevator facing the back and was unable to turn around. So there I stood……facing everyone else in the elevator. Now, these are moments that can define us forever. Being the shy and retiring redhead that I am, I looked squarely into the faces of the people I was riding the elevator with and began identifying them into groups of 3 and started singing, “Row, row, row your boat, gently down the stream” and cued each group in at the appropriate time. Surprisingly enough, they all participated. By the time that we all got off the elevator, everyone was laughing and what would have otherwise been an uncomfortably silent ride turned out to be a great experience for all.
I later learned that people who were waiting on other floors for elevators could hear us, and the stories at meetings for a few days were, “Did you hear about what happened the other day on one of the elevators?” I smiled silently to myself, cherishing the memory of a great connection with other people.
Go ahead….I dare you. And if you do, please be sure to share your story.
Susan Shonk -- Daily Venus Diva.
Ahhh! That was so cute and funny. I always avoid getting in the super crowded elevators for the same weird awkward “quiet” reason and also I just feel trapped sometimes when there are too many people. I definitely would have remembered you if you did that on an elevator it would have made me chuckle for sure. I think we all can relate to the awkwardness of these packed elevators but I love how you brought some life to it. Peace & Love
Great piece! Very funny.
Very funny! And I’m so not surprised!
I love your story about breaking them into groups and singing. There should be more of this. There have been times where instead of turning around to face the door, I’ve stayed facing the other riders and starting a conversation. I think it’s a shy and retiring redhead thing.
~ Layla