Elevator speak: ‘National Talk in an Elevator Day’

July 27, 2017

By Patrick O'Connell

We’re here, the one day a year where you have a built-in excuse to engage in some friendly conversation with your fellow elevator riders. The last Friday of July marks “National Talk in an Elevator Day,” and the sky (or the length of your elevator ride) is the limit to break the ice in your routinely silent vertical commute. We here at KONE want to lead the way by taking a page out of the book of our very own elevators who, right now, are carrying on conversations with IBM Watson. Go ahead and take a look at Machine Conversations, it’s really happening: elevators across the globe are sharing important information with the cloud – travel times, operating temperature, building sway, etc. – to make sure elevator rides are smooth and efficient.

In the spirit of today, here are some tips taken from our elevators on how to make the most out of this national holiday:

• Keep it simple: Don’t feel like you need to answer life’s big questions on the way up to the office. A comment on the weather or the fact that today is Friday works just fine to alleviate a completely silent elevator ride.
• Hold the door and say hello: Use the hold door button, not your arm, to let in that person that’s broken into a half jog in the lobby. Even our elevators are eager to get going, but it’s a nice gesture to someone you’ll likely have to see again.
• Stay positive: You’re tired, it’s been a long week and you don’t want to be disturbed during your elevator ride. Well, there’s no better pick-me up than putting on a positive face for others. If you recognize someone in the elevator you don’t normally talk to, don’t let this perfect day to start a conversation pass you by. Let them know it’s a holiday and ask how they’re doing.

Too often the elevator is an awkward experience despite its everyday use for many people. Take some time to acknowledge the people around you, not just today but every day. Provide some positive conversation and support; If elevators can do it, so can you.

“Smooth. Keep up the good work.” – Quote from Machine Conversations

About Patrick O'Connell

Patrick leads marketing and communications for KONE Americas, spanning the U.S., Canada and Mexico.