I work on the 25th floor of my building. Working on the 25th floor has brought to my attention how many people are afraid of elevators. Today I received a frantic phone call from a new client saying that she is afraid of elevators and is on the 23rd floor because she couldn't be on the elevator alone and everyone got off. She asked if someone could come get her. I was covering the front desk and asked one of my co-workers to go get her. This has happened a few times. One woman clung to my arm the whole time we were in the elevator. Nice to meet you too.
I've been stuck in our elevators more times than I can count. They breakdown all the time. Just last night the button to call an elevator wasn't working. I had to take the freight elevator down. I'm nice though and don't tell the elevator phobs this.
Apparently there is no official phobia name for a fear of elevators.
The closest one gets to a name for Fear of Elevators is Claustrophobia, but that's for small spaces in general. I remember interning at one of the courthouses in LA and the elevators constantly shaking and quivering. Our supervisor told us to call her instead of maintenance when (Not "If," WHEN) they broke down as they would take an eternity otherwise.
ReplyDeleteFYI: I used to be afraid of them too. I still get a little anxious when the elevator takes a while to open the doors after it stops.
I just think it should have it's own name. I feel like there's a name for every other very specific phobia.
DeleteI don't like to stand close to the windows from upper floors of a high rise.
ReplyDeleteyou would hate the view from my desk. 25th floor and floor to ceiling windows.
DeleteInteresting. I didn't know there was a phobia specific to elevators. For me, I usually don't like the ones on the outside of buildings because I'm afraid of heights, but the ones in enclosed elevator shafts are fine by me.
ReplyDeleteYour poor 23rd floor new best friend - that must be debilitating at times.
Near my work there is an elevator that has a glass wall so you can see outside when you're riding it. It's a bit odd. It only goes up one level though.
DeleteI've never been stuck in an elevator and I hope I never am.. I would be crying like a baby!
ReplyDeleteJessica
the.pyreflies.org
I have and I always start thinking of that movie Devil
DeleteI don't love elevators. I take the stairs if it's an option, and if I'm going to the second or third floor. Otherwise, I just hope for the best. Once I talked a neighbour through her claustrophobia when she was stuck in the elevator close to my floor. We could hear each other through the closed doors. Poor woman. She managed to not have a total panic attack, and later she left a little gift hanging on my doorknob to thank me for sticking around with her until the fire department showed up.
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