Willy Wonka’s glass elevator was an Adultitis Antidote. How many elevators can you say that about?
With all due respect to Aerosmith, elevators are not usually bastions of fun. They are awkward little boxes in which everyone stares blankly at the floor numbers, tightens the sphincter, and puts on their best grown-up face while staring straight ahead. It’s the equivalent of entering a walk-in closet with random strangers and closing the door.
But taking a page out of Mr. Wonka’s book is not that hard.
My friend Dan plays a game called Elevator Fight Club with his kids. When they are in an elevator together, after the doors close, they begin a fake boxing match with each other. The action stops as soon as the doors re-open. Dan has reported that it’s not uncommon for the fight to resume quietly even when someone else is with them. And of course, the first rule of Elevator Fight Club is that you do not talk about Elevator Fight Club, so I’ve already said too much.
Innocent, a UK-based maker of fruit juices and smoothies, installed a Twister game in their elevator. How awesome is that? I suspect it is nearly impossible to walk into that elevator and not smile. Which is actually the genius of it. Full-blown human knots don’t have to result for an idea like this to reap benefits. Even if no one actually plays the game, just the fact that it’s there makes the company more buzz worthy, and a more fun place to work.
Some people report that they sometimes face the back of the elevator while everyone else is facing forward. I’ll admit that I’m not brave enough to try that, but I’m sure it makes Adultitis very uncomfortable.
Adultitis dominates certain locations in this world, and there is no doubt the elevator is one of them. If you ask me, it’s a perfect place for a full-on assault against this vile enemy.
What are YOUR favorite ways to have fun in an elevator?
On a trip to NY at Christmas with my daughters, we got into an overcrowded elevator at the hotel that was going up instead of down. I suggested to the group of strangers that we sing “we wish you a merry Christmas” each time the door opens. The elevator stopped at all floor and we performed our song. Lots of smiles to those we encountered and those on the elevator with us. Best memory of the trip for me.
So awesome, Cheryl! I often say that people are aching for silliness; sometimes they just need permission. Kudos to you for being a grea permission granter!
I have been known to break into song with the music playing in an elevator. It is even more amazing when I don’t know all the words so have to fill in the blanks. This was best remembered after a conference in Philadelphia PA when my boyfriend was with me. He corrected the words when I was wrong! It was the best fun we had at the whole conference which was great to begin with!!! You never know who is going to join in. I am planning another conference trip to Las Vegas in October so looking up all the Barry Manilow songs I can remember.
Don’t forget Celine Dion! :)
I sing and dance and act like a diva rock star. I sing LOUD enough that even with the doors closed I can be heard, but the minute they open I am quiet and looking at the doors.
Nice. You go girl!
When our kids were young and we were on vacation we would break into silly dances between floors, we still do this some today although not as much. I smile every time I get into an elevator because I have those memories.
Fun!! Sounds like it’s time to resurrect the tradition, Missy!
Our family of five always play tag. The game starts as soon as the door closes. The last person tagged before the door opens is it for the next round. We have even included strangers in the game if they looked like they wanted in! We have been playing for years and I have wonderful memories of running crazy away from my kids. Sure to be passed down for other generations.
This is a great one, Jill! A less violent but equally awesome twist on Elevator Fight Club — perfect for anyone!
I routinely take the stairs (the one New Year’s resolution I can KEEP–LOL), but one day a student intern and I were moving a couple of chairs and decided to sit in them while riding in the elevator. When the doors opened, I said to the man waiting, “I’m sorry; there are no more seats available.” and he actually said, “That’s ok; I’ll get the next one.” and the doors closed!! We giggled and went our way but I felt bad later. I should have offered him my seat, because he obviously had a very serious case of ADULTITIS!!
And you guys have given me a great idea for next time I do happen to be in an elevator: the ‘everything for a dollar store’ has stick-on fuzzy mustaches. I’m going to grab a pack, hand them out to fellow riders, then when the doors open, “MUSTACHES ONLY!” Ladies, too. LOL!!
Rock on, Pat! That’s a great story and a great idea!
uhh, sorry…when i first saw the cartoon w one black eye my brain went automatically to the Ray Rice incedent. no so funny!!! what were you thinking?
You’re not the only one, Cynthia. I CAN tell you that when I crafted the post and made the art many weeks ago, Ray Rice and his idiotic actions was definitely NOT on my mind. The timing of this post was not so hot, but hopefully it can help shift the focus to thinking about elevators in a much better (and more fun) light.
When I was in an elevator with my 7th & 8th grade basketball team once, I was the last to get in so my back was against the door. As the elevator started to descend, I pretended that the back of my coat had gotten caught in the elevator and was pulling me down with it. The looks on the team members faces were priceless…as were the memories.
I am passing along a story told at my husband’s funeral by my brother-in-law Terry. Johnie and Terry were at a hospital in Florida visiting their sister after she had a operation to remove a brain aneurysm. They had been at the cafeteria, Johnie had had a big glass of chocolate milk and Terry had a big bowl of cantaloupe. Both had histories of these foods causing them to have major gas. They would ride up the elevator (or down depending on where they ended up), and pass gas. Then they would get out and just stand out of the way watching and listening to people getting on and off.. They could hear the comments and complaints of people coming from floors away. Not funny for the people who had to get on the elevator after they vacated, but Terry and Johnie were cracking up. It was also one of the most hilarious stories shared at Johnie’s funeral, with people laughing until they were crying, which was what I hoped for when I asked those in attendance to share funny stories about Johnie. Nancy (their sister) both wanted to disown knowing them but at the same time she was practically pulling her stitches out with laughter. Not sure if this qualifies as “fun in an elevator”, but it sure still makes me smile!!