Technology Ete YOUTUBE’S Oliver Stone's WallStreet VIDEO STARS Gurus AltheFed ESSE TUT a ystcs 4 HO FACEBOOK SELLS YOU. Sy i‘September 27 — Octobor 3, 2010 Etc.The OfficeLab Needa Lift? Awkward Gal-Thumber 4% (ofriders When birds are beer | senses they peckat ‘the ground The way you behave in the elevator says alot about you-and it’s not all good. By Tim Murphy very day in New York, people take 30 million elevator rides in 58,000 elevators, according to the trade group National Elevator Industry. It’sa weird nonmoment in which strangers share a tiny space. “We silently agree that the other people don’t exis,” says Tonya Reiman, author of The Power of Body Language. According to Dario Maestripieri, a University of Chicago behavioralist and author of the forthcoming The Biology of Everyday Life, this instinct is deeply rooted. “Being in a restricted space with strangers is tension-provoking,” he says. “So we do unconscious things to minimize the risk of conflict, like not making eye contact. Ifyou put monkeys in a small cage, they avoid each other.” Iesheeven setings sional? How we behave in those seconds of entrapment says alot about us. What follows | “A lot of those people don’t even get isasurvey of elevatorrrider behavior based on research conducted in 10 Manhattan a signal in the elevator,” says Reiman. office buildings. Bloomberg Businessweek categorized the behaviors of more than 100 _| “They're giving the impression they're riders into 10 groups, which appear below along with explanations from a panel busy, and saying, ‘Don’t worry about of experts: Reiman; Maestripieri; Patti Wood, author of Success Signals; and Marilyn | having conversation.” According to Puder-York, author of The Office Survival Guide. Think twice the next time you fold your hands in front of your pelvis. We know what you're thinking. © Maestripieri thi isa self-distraction in “a tense lisplacement activity” Fig. 6 7) He? The YogaMaster © ~—- Hands-in-PocketsGuy >” | The Adamand Eve Does he have weapon in there? Notley | trvingto | nidesress Careful ronnie With their heads up straight, arms ‘A generally male profile, experts say, ‘A number of men unwittingly ride in down, and feet planted firmly, some _ since more men wear pants with pockets. _ the elevator with their hands clasped riders are the picture of contentment. | “You're demonstrating insecurity, even _in front of their crotches, a protective “These people are very self-aware,” iffyou're not insecure,” says Reiman. _|_ gesture known as the figleaf po says Reiman. “We can become that ‘According to Wood, “It’sa bit scarier, _| signaling vulnerability. “Women in ‘way when we're forced into proximity _guy to guy, when one guy’s hands are ___ elevators put their paperwork or purse with another person. imhis pockets. Does he have a weapon?” | up around their chest,” notes Wood. Other Noticeable, Yet Less Common Elevator Behaviors > sexist nuwwens / Wood: “It’s a way of getting “This is a vulnerable, chi ce position.” > sTRETCHERS / Maestripierl: “Some people have weird manners.” » CONVEX PELVIS‘September 27 — October 3,2010 Fig. 2 i Fig.3 Fig T The Arm-Crosser 4% ‘The George Costanza__|!2% +TheMumbler &% SS oe male we Soon areragaee 3 ronteny | & rifling through | tg checking mental vodotit “This mini-hug makes people feel better Going through a bag or ruflling uy ‘Talking to oneselfis, says Reiman, “a about the elevator ride. It says, ‘'mmnot | a newspaper isa classic distraction kinesthetic move. [Mumblers] start going open to conversations,” says Reimar technique that puts up a wall against through their day, ‘What did I do? What Itisn’t necessarily an aggressive posi engagement. “Itshows anxiety,” says | do Istill have to do?” Mumblers are also though. “A person with arms crossed is Wood. “Its a form of sel-comtfort. shoe gazers. By avoiding eye contact, saying that they're harmless by creating Also, when we're anxious the nerve according to Wood, they're saying: “I'm asofter, smaller silhouette,” says Wood. endings in our nose begin to twitch.” not here to threaten or challenge you.” Fig.8 a The Door-Gunner a aK = ae - witheg we oe there faster? aoe Likely works nano ‘This rider signals that he or she needs ___Some people make the trip while \Wallleaners often work on higher floors, 2 tobe the first out when the doors open. standing straight, like choir boys with _| allowing them extra time to lean. Says E Says Puder-York: “That's a Type-A bladder problems. “They want tokeep | Reiman: “They're more relaxed, but they 2 person. It shows a lack of caring.” their distance from you and have the exit | don’t want to get involved According = Theguy with his hand on the door the | as lose as possible the minute the door | to Wood, the lean is more calculated: & whole time? He's thinking, says Reiman, | opens,” says Reiman. “They're guarding | “That says either ‘I'm tied’ or ‘T'm not “tf hold it, I will get there faster?” the entry of the cave,” says Wood. showing any need for power control.” stress out-or signaling you're harmless.” » biG EXHALERS / Reiman: “It's a relaxation tool.” > pIGEON-ToED sTaNDERS / Reiman: Rivers / Wood: “Definitely a sexual come-on.” > pivorers / Reiman: “They have little concern for the bubble