The
Elevator is a rectangular shaped box consisting of rails and automatic
door/doors that is used to transport people and just about everything else from
floor to floor in a building. Movement
is up and down following the commands of the call button and floor
buttons. The features in an elevator are
quite robotic because there are lights, buttons, speaker holes, vents and
surveillance cameras. There is the
emergency button which is usually red in color that is used in an
emergency. The other lighted buttons are
the floor buttons that is pressed upon entering the elevator to designate each
stop it has to make. Then there are the
speakers that allow communication between the passengers and emergency contact
crew in case of an emergency. The
coolest robotic machine man has ever made.
In most
elevators, there is quiet air while in others the vent is so vocal that it
almost shares the same sound as an aircraft engine. The surveillance cameras are quite visible
too with a flashing red light while others are concealed behind mirrors and the
crevices of the roof of the elevator.
Elevators are usually located in the center of a building and seemingly
too close to the stairwell. It knows how
to speed past the unwanted stops and when to slowly get to a stop on selected
floors. The Elevators are usually
present in a 2-story building and buildings with more than 100 floors. The surface area of an elevator is very
similar to a small room or closet space, however, the size varies depending on
the building infrastructures and needs.
There is always a weight limit posted inside
the elevator and if it is ignored then the elevator refuses to move. Then there are also little signs and objects
engraved into the walls of the elevator: most popularly a danger sign, firefighter
hat and flames. Some elevators talks,
saying things like stand clear of the closing doors, naming the floors as it
approaches, while others make beeping sounds while it moves from one level to
another. The elevator makes it easier
and faster to get from one floor to the next and is extremely a necessity in
buildings that taking the stairway is almost impossible. There is also great consideration for people
who are physically and medically challenged because they are not capable to
climb the stairs. But most importantly,
elevators are luxurious amenities for parents with young children.
Of all
the passengers that may ride in an elevator, children are the most fascinating
and uniquely intricate occupants. The
elevator is like a spectacular machine with super powers to function so
mysteriously in the eyes of children.
There is always that great anticipation to hop on board and revel in
that few moments that an elevator ride will last. Have you ever had the opportunity to see the
excitement that fills the eyes of children when they enter a building that has
elevators?
It is
almost like giving them their favorite candy or ice cream. Upon seeing the elevator doors, their faces
light up and the feelings of joy rushing through their bodies send them jumping
and prancing everywhere; in most instances they will yell, “Can we ride in the
elevator?” For the frequent riders who
actually know where the elevator is located, they will break free from their
parent or guardian, heading in the direction of the elevator. Then it appears as if they have found their
lost toy when they see that call button.
They eagerly run over to press that amazing button that not only lights
up magically but also miraculously open the door/doors to the elevator.
From an adult perspective, this is never the
case because we tend to see the elevator as an amenity of convenience. Who really would want to walk up the stairs
when you can stand in a box and being transported to your designated floor in a
blink of an eye? Some of us do not have
any positive feelings towards the elevator because it is seen as a cramped
space that is just outright uncomfortable.
We become more protective of belongings and ourselves that we sometimes
hang on to them displaying nothing but fear while riding the elevator. For others it is just a confined space that
is intimate and enclosed.
However,
for children, the elevator is like an adventure ride almost similar to the ones
at an amusement park. They will wait
impatiently by the door after pressing the call button and when the doors
finally open, they rush in almost forgetting that they are in the company of
other passengers. There is never a still
moment when riding the elevator with young children. Whether they are in the restraint of a
stroller or independently holding their positions, they have always managed to
keep busy.
There is
no doubt that you will encounter a child that will select all the floors and
force the elevator to make every stop on each floor. Since children have no sense of time, they
are just enjoying the ride and amazed by the doors because they can open by
themselves. It is likely that others are
exhilarated by the beeping sounds and vocals of the elevator. Whatever the case it was fascinating to
observe a little boy who was accompanied by a lady who appeared to be his
mother. They were the last ones to enter
the elevator on the way up.
The mother appeared to be Caucasian in her
late 30’s, wearing a well suited outfit with leathered high heels. The little
boy is probably between the ages of 3-5 years old. He was wearing a coat, jeans, and T shirt and
spider man sneakers. While waiting for
the elevator, he seemed a bit impatient which made him display a fidgety
behavior. He was also carrying an action
figure toy in his hand that he simulated to be performing some aeronautics
tricks with matching sounds. It somewhat
gave a sense that he would be an interesting passenger and he definitely
was.
Upon
entering, he discreetly moved to the left of the elevator away from his mother
who stood to the right. He went directly
where the buttons were while his mother ordered him to press the number
three. That came at no great surprise
because he appeared to be an intelligent boy.
However he ensured that all four buttons were pressed and lighted
up. The doctor’s offices were located on
the third floor and of course the elevator stopped, doors opened and closed on
all four floors. On this trip we had a
young elevator operator who endured the doors closed after each stop by pressing
the close buttons.
Astonishingly,
his mother became impatient when she started sighing and looking at her
watch. She became infuriated on the
second stop when she realized that no one got off. She continued by expressing her disgust of
the elevator for stopping on every level with no one getting off or coming
onboard. It appeared that they were late
for their doctor’s appointment. Another
passenger looked over in my direction and we exchanged a smile. One can only imagine what her reactions would
have been if she knew that it was her son that had done this. While entering the third floor, the mother
accidentally brushed up against my shoulders while she positioned herself to
get off. As the elevator doors opened,
she walked right out without acknowledging what had happened or even displaying
any signs of being apologetic.
Another
child will be in constant motion moving about all four corners of the elevator
car while it is in motion. You will only
be interrupted by feeling the tiny, little bodies pushing up against your legs,
trampling your feet or sometimes holding onto your leg while trying to make
his/her way around the surface area of the car.
There was a little girl with such a tiny frame that when she spoke it
almost imitated the sound of a squeal.
Her grandmother, who announced that she was 2 years old after two
passengers had asked about her age, accompanied her. Her accent appeared to be one from the
Caribbean Islands, more distinctively Jamaica.
Everyone
seemed so fascinating by the little girl’s presence because she literally went
around the entire elevator saying ‘Hi’ to all eight adults in her squeaky,
high-pitched voice. Besides her hot pink
raincoat that she was wearing, she also had a tiny backpack with a tiny box of
raisins inside it that she offered to share with everyone. Seven people refused
including me except for an elderly, black lady who thanked her for being so
kind. The lady was so engaged with the
little girl that both of them conversed for the entire ride. According to the lady, we have to teach them
how to share and the most effective way is to participate. She couldn’t have said it better; very
effective statement and point she has made in my opinion.
On this
trip, everyone had a smile on their faces and was actively in tune with this
sociable 2 year old enjoying her moment on her elevator ride. As the elevator approached the third floor,
her grandmother wished everyone had an enjoyable day. Once they exited the elevator, the little
girl waved goodbye. It appeared as if I have shared a great fascination with
this child because this trip in the elevator was the most enjoyable that I had
gotten off on the third floor as well.
Then
there are the children in the confined space of their stroller. They usually keep their parents or guardians
so busy for the entire ride: dropping all the contents of the stroller onto the
floor including their Sippy cups and pacifier.
The expectation of using a stroller is usually to carry very young
children that would be too much of a burden to carry around or physically
incapable to walk well. This little girl
was not as sociable nor was she the typical toddler. She seemed to be older than 1 year old.
One can
guess her age based on these assumptions: she did not utter a word,
noncompliant with her guardian’s commands and she was unreceptive as a younger
child would be. The assumptions might be
incorrect but for the most part close observations and experience will allow
anyone to believe that she is a much younger child. The baby kept emptying the contents of the
stroller while her female guardian was so busy on her cell phone that she did
not notice anything that was happening.
When she finally realized, the child was taking a shot at the last item,
which is her pacifier and flung it on the floor.
Finally,
she gave the child much needed attention and resort to retrieving the items on
the floor. She seemed a bit unhappy
because she was swift in her movements and speaking in a high pitched voice in
a foreign language. Based on her
clothing and accent she appeared to be of African descent. She wore a lengthy, multi colored fabric that
is wrapped around her body with a matching piece covering her head. They got off on the third floor in such
silence.
On the
other hand, there are children that are more terrified rather than excited by
the ride in an elevator or is it the space?
There was a woman with a young boy who appeared to be between the ages
of 6 and 8 years old. Despite how chilly
the day was, he wore nothing but blue jeans with a light blue T shirt. He displayed behaviors of a mentally retarded
individual because he was very vocal and his posture was in a crunched position
with his arm folded while he shakes frantically making weird sounds. I was a bit hesitant to ride with them
because he was a bit loud.
When the
elevator doors opened, no one else got on except for them and me. I became relieved when his mother or
guardian securely held onto him. She
hugged him and kept rubbing his back while she whispered inaudible words into
his ears. His noise was a bit scary and
uncomfortable because they sounded more like screams. Instantly, the assumptions flowed but what if
this child was ill and suffering great pain?
What if he was cold because he refused to wear his coat? They too were going on the third floor.
The boy
entered the elevator and proceeded to sit in the right corner of the elevator
towards the back. I instinctively
stepped over to the other side which was to the left of them. While he was sitting, there is a constant
rocking back and forth movement while he hummed. In less than two minutes we arrived on the
third floor. His mother took her
position to uproot him from the floor but he resisted. When the doors opened, he got up and started
making those strange noises again.
Before the doors closed I could hear his mother threatening him to stop
making the noise in an angry voice.
At that
moment it struck me that I was right indeed.
He might have been suffering from some illness unknown to me but my judgments
prevailed. This modeled behavior is in
perfect alignment with others because there were three more people waiting to
go on the elevator but they have decided to wait. They allowed us to get in and their reactions
were as if the elevator was overcrowded.
Without an open line of communication, we make assumptions and judge
others, not fully understanding the truth or close to the truth.
On the
other hand, children are much different.
They are highly expressive, honest, open and uninhibited individuals. Take for example the sociable two year old
girl, she extended a sincere Hi to everyone and resorted to sharing her raisins
to strangers. With her little, innocent,
thoughtful gestures, all eight people looked in amazement and awe. Instead of one of those moments where the
next person would be invisible to the other or everyone staring at the roof or
the floor for the entire ride, everyone was engaged in at varying levels.
Four
children from four different ethnic backgrounds displayed one thing in common:
the joy of riding in an elevator without any inhibitions of space. With their great appreciation and excitement
comes a unique interaction that brings adult occupants together in a meeting of
the mind even if it is for a brief moment.
The presence of a child encourages an interaction that would have been
different. It is somewhat strange
because adults consider themselves highly intelligent people with effective
communicative abilities. However weird
it may seem the elevator is a spatial component that provides exposure to the
unique behaviors of people versus that of children.
The
Caucasian lady displayed an arrogant behavior by ignoring a situation that
would be addressed in some apologetic gesture.
The African lady was unsociable in that she engaged in her telephone
conversation withdrawing all her attention from everyone including the
baby. As for the last lady with the
vocal little boy, she was displayed a curbed sense of behavior. Despite the fact that she didn’t speak to
anyone but her son, I believe that she is aware of people’s reaction towards
her son. She seemed a bit considerate of
others when she tried to get the little boy to remain calm and quiet.
On the
other hand, all four children were comfortable in their space. It is also evident that the children modeled
the behaviors of their adult counterpart to a certain extent. Take for example the Jamaican grandma, she
was very sociable and so was her granddaughter.
The Caucasian lady is very rude and inconsiderate and so may influence
the behaviors of her son. The African
lady remained non vocal and so was the baby.
There are some levels of communicative rules that exist among us which
are very unique and intricate. As
strange and interesting as it maybe, I would choose to ride the elevator all
day with young children. They are more
sociable creatures intrigued by the experience of riding the elevator as oppose
to adults who just ‘use’ the space. Adult’s
presence is not fun!
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