Why are People Unable to Look Straight into the Eyes of Each Other When in an Elevator? (minimum 150 words)

It isn't that they're "unable" to. It's more a matter of etiquette and generally being aware of normal social behavior. People may make eye contact when they first get in the elevator, or if there's reason to make contact during the ride they may exchange quick looks.

Other than that, people generally don't want to appear to either by trying to engage the other person in conversation, confrontational, or (for lack of a better term) "weird".

The fact that the elevator is closed in, and a crime could be committed behind the closed doors, makes it even more likely that people (especially men, concerned about appearing to be a potential threat) want to make it clear they have not interest in bothering the other person. Another reason is that people who don't want to catch the attention of a "weirdo" know that making eye contact may do that.

In many ways, and potential (relatively rare) threats aside, there is just a "normal social behavior" that kicks in more dramatically, as people find themselves in smaller spaces with strangers.

lol.....i think because you are sharing a tight space with a stranger/strangers, and there really be no connection outside of knowing who you are sharing this space with for the time that you are in case something shady were to take place. If someone has an interest to stare in your face much less you eyes, then they are cruising you AKA trying to pick you up!!! Yuk---

Vonda G. Nelson

Well, I'll speak for myself. If I do not want to make conversation, small talk etc. I tend not to look anyone in the eye in the elevator.

However, if I mistakenly do, (lol) I give them a quick smile and look away.

Have you ever been on an elevator with a stranger and found one or both of you unwilling or unable to make eye contact? Ever wonder why? Well, it kind of depends. They say the eyes are the window to the... keep reading →

IT HAPPENNED TO ME LOOKING AT SOMEONE ON ELEVATOR.I THOUGHT I KNEW THE PERSON

AND I BELIEVE I COULD HAVE DIED IF THE DOOR DID NOT OPEN.PEOPLE DO NOT LIKE PEOPLE IN THEIR SPACE.IF YOU WANT TO LIVE LONGER DO NOT STARE AT PEOPLE WHEN THEY FEEL CLOSED IN.MY HUSBAND DID IT ONE TIME AND I ALMOST KNOCKED HIS SIDES OUT. WE WERE IN ANOTHER STATE HE WAS ON ELEVATOR STARING AT THIS WOMEN,IT HAD BEEN 15 YEARS SINCE HIGH SCHOOL.HE TOLD ME THAT THE GIRL IN THE BACK OF ELEVATOR MIGHT BE CLASSMATE.WE WERE VISTING FRIENDS NEVER BEEN TO THAT STATE.GUESS WHAT HE WAS RIGHT.BUT I WAS NOT ALL SMILE BECAUSE HE MADE HER FEEL UNCOMFORTABLE...SHE SAID...BUT ALL ENDED WELL.

Well only being 14, i dont really know these sorts of things in detail, but what i do know, is that in an elevator if there is someone your age you can too feel embarrassed. Also, if someone is looking at you, as you can feel it or even see it i just want to die.

once me and some mates were in town, and we spilt coffee on our tights, so had to take them off. But we were wearing mini shorts, so you can imagine the type of looks we got in the elevator!