Have you ever noticed that when entering an elevator everyone already in there is staring fixedly ahead.  It seems that they are absolutely determined not to make eye contact with the new arrival, or with each other.

The entire journey is spent in silence with everyone standing stock still and staring at the front wall of the elevator.  I would love to do something silly to make them acknowledge that they are not alone in the little moving box, but do not have the nerve.

If I were braver, I would start to sing or dance, or even walk round feeling the walls, however that action is for someone braver than me.  I do not understand why people are frightened of making eye contact, do they think that a complete stranger is going to hit them up for a loan if they allow them to catch their eye?

I often have a wild urge to do something silly when I am in a group of silent people.  People waiting for appointments, all sitting like statues and waiting patiently, how would they act if I went round with a pack of cards and did some card tricks or anything to stir them up?

Am I the odd man out?  Is it normal for people to sit and ignore others while waiting for something?    What is wrong with getting into a conversation with a stranger, sure we are ships that pass in the night, but can we not make more of the time we spend with others, instead of completely ignoring them.  If we chat with someone for a few minutes we nearly always find some interest or even some person, in common.

I am not drawn to talking to everyone, for example, if someone is sitting in a corner, talking and laughing to themselves, I do not venture near them as I figure they are having a good time all by themselves.  However, being with a group of silent people really makes me want to stir things up and do something outrageous.

One of these days I will probably act out my fantasies and break into song at an inappropriate time, however, the sight of two men in white coats and holding a big net, will certainly amuse the people watching.  Who knows, they may even break the silence and begin to laugh with each other.