just this morning i was unfortunate enough to share an elevator with a gentleman who decided to chat me up. when i came right out and told him i was not in the mood to chat, he continued anyway and grew angry when i did not respond the way he wanted me to. which ended up with me finally telling him to just leave me alone.

now, from his point of view i was being rude because to his way of thinking he was courteously inviting me to interact with him in a friendly fashion.

but from my point of view he was being rude, a total stranger who took advantage of the fact that i was trapped in a small space with him for several floors, someone who intruded into my peace and quiet while pursuing his own personal agenda.

am i the only one who finds this annoying? am i freakishly withdrawn when it comes to forced social contact on elevators? am i right in feeling that i should have the choice not to interact if i prefer not to? are there others who feel the way i do??

just curious. thanks for listening.

That's annoying as all get out. I think there's nothing wrong with a pleasant hello or good morning, but beyond that, you should need no more than to read body language to see if further chatting is acceptable. And if someone flat out tells you they aren't up for a chat then you'd better damn well shut up.

I hate it.....by chance I'll fart.....

CarrieMpls said:

thank you! dude had the nerve to berate me

abierman said:

no way. i usually try to take my own elevator car because of crap like that and i NEVER flirt unless i mean it

Steadwood said:

um... i did kind of tell him to fuck off, ultimately. i'm not really a morning person to begin with, and i usually try to avoid being trapped in an elevator with strangers.

maybe i will take the stairs from now on

Chatty Strangers Anywhere = NAY.

A couple of weeks ago I had a really shitty day at work. I had just walked up the stairs from the subway to see the crosstown bus I needed pull away from the stop. So I sit down, and some guy comes up to me and asks, "Have you been waiting long?" (As an aside, that question bugs the hell out of me anyway, because it doesn't matter how long I've been waiting, the next bus will come when it comes.) I don't even remember what I said, but I'm sure it was bitchy and he asks, "Why are you so angry?" I said, "Because I don't know you and I don't like talking to strangers." Dude picked the wrong day to start with me.

Hay to the Nay!!!!!

Wow. Is it really that hard to be pleasant for a couple minutes? To put a little half smile on your face and give an occasional, "Mmm-hmm" to someone who might be lonely...or who just needs a smile?

I don't get that.

Genesia said:

Sometimes we all need a little peace and quiet. Is it so hard to keep conversations with strangers down to a hello or good morning? Cab Drivers or Hairdressers fine. Casual strangers...not so much.

Genesia said:

i guess it's about as difficult as minding one's own business and letting people go on about theirs.

XxAxX said:

This is why I wear my iPod at all times possible. Even if I don't even have it actually turned on. STILL though, some people don't get the hint.

Genesia said:

Yes it is, especially when it's rush hour. All I want is to read my paper in peace. Unless you're a good-looking woman, leave me alone.

minneapolisgenius said:

i was walking down the street listening to my iPod recently, and out of everyone walking down that damn street some fool in his car had to wave ME down to ask directions. now that's just plain rude and stupid. first off, you go to a gas station or a convenience store and ask someone directions who is PAID to give directions and who more than likely KNOWS how to give directions. secondly, if you MUST choose some poor random schmuck on the street for directions, DON'T choose the person wearing sunglasses and earphones - those are international signs for LEAVE ME THE HELL ALONE.

Genesia said:

well, give me your number and i'll nmake sure he chats YOU up soon but seriously, saying good morning is one thing, but this was being trapped in a small space with a big guy who was expressing more interest in me than i cared to indulge...so, yeah. it was WAY too much for him to expect.

personally, i don't think he needed a smile, more like he maybe needed meds and/or evaluation by a professional health care provider

XxAxX said:

Okay, well...crazy is another thing entirely. I didn't get that from your initial post.

Anxiety said:

i wonder if a darth vader-like mask would suffice to warn away the overly sociable??

Genesia said:

hmm. yes, all i said was: