Elevator etiquette: Chat or clam up?

For most of us, the accepted norm for an elevator ride is this: Get in and position yourself as far from others as possible, face forward, be still, stand up straight and stare silently at the door, or your cellphone, until you get to your floor.

Is that really how it should be?

The maker of the world’s first sideways elevator thinks not, theyssenkrupp Elevator, has issued a challenge to us all: Start talking.

Seven billion elevator trips happen every day, according to a survey by the company, and two-thirds of the people riding do so in complete silence. Many of the 2,000 people surveyed said they preferred that over talking to a stranger.

If each journey lasts an average of 30 seconds, that adds up to 38,499,999 hours in silence each day, theyssen-krupp’s research suggests.

But, according to numerous research projects and studies on interconnection, happiness and altruism, even small and seemingly superficial friendly encounters among strangers, can have significant emotional and physical health benefits for the people involved.

A landmark study of Chicago commuters by Nicholas Epley and Juliana Schroeder found that people were overwhelmingly mistaken when they believed they preferred silence and isolation to an interaction with a stranger.

“To examine the experience of connecting to strangers, we instructed commuters on trains and buses to connect with a stranger near them, to remain disconnected, or to commute as normal,” the authors wrote in a paper. “In both contexts, participants reported a more positive (and no less productive) experience when they connected than when they did not.’’

An elevator ride can “create shared experiences that go some way to eliminating this loneliness that people may feel in a built-up environment,” theyssenkrupp said in a statement.

But not every elevator manufacturer wants their product to become a venue for chitchat. Mowrey Elevator offers advice on when it’s OK to talk.

“While exchanging quick pleasantries with other passengers is considered well within the range of good elevator etiquette, striking up awkward conversations with strangers or carrying on conversations with your friends in a loud manner is not OK,” the company writes.