Tantrums of an elevator!



I am perplexed and annoyed at how the lift functions in my block. At almost all times when I’ve needed its service, the damned box has infuriated me with its cat-and-mouse play.  And, it is just this particular lift that seems to have taken an aversion to stop at my floor. The other lift seems to work just fine.  Ironically, the one playing truant with my nerves is the one situated right next to our door. 

Now, each block in our apartment complex is equipped with 2 passenger lifts. However, to save power and with the noble intention of doing our bit to the environment, many a times, there is only one functioning at a given point of time. So, the option to always use the other one does not exist at all times. Talk about convenience!  

We live on the second floor and thankfully do not essentially require the lift most times. Even then, there are times when I am running late or I need to take R and R’s new bulky bicycle to the playing ground when I do count upon this blessed invention to come to my aid. Alas! The devil chooses to play truant even then.

Image courtesy: eatdrinknbmerry.blogspot.com
Let me explain. Imagine this scenario: You wish to descend a couple of floors. You press the relevant call button for the lift and wait patiently. The lift, which by the way is parked at a level below, outrageously bypasses the floor you are on, travels to some floor high above. The call is still registered on your floor, so you still wait patiently, assuming it will pick you up on its way down. The snooty box comes at its own pace and even as you look expectantly for it to make a stop and open its doors for you, it does it blinking act again by zooming past and stopping at the floor below!



Most people might give up by now. I have too on most occasions. But, there have been times I’ve still persisted to see if the lift obliges me at least now. You might think I finally get my chance? Not quite so. This time lift does show some concern to at least stop and open its doors for me but lo! Behold, what do I see? A smiling set of people waving a upward sign at my face. *rolling eyes*

Scenario number 2:   You press the call button. The lift comes and magnanimously stops for you, the doors open but only for you to realize that the lift is going in the direction opposite to where you intend to go.  You have two options: to either join the prevalent group to wherever they are abound and then proceed to your destination, or to wait for the lift to return empty for you. If you choose to wait, you run the risk of scenario 1 repeating. In either case, you are waiting endlessly to get to just one or two floors below you. 

Stumbling into this piece has freaked me out further. And, not without reason, you see.
Image courtesy: fromthepews.org

These days, I choose option 3, even when I’m in hurry or especially when I’m in a hurry. Which of course is,
taking the stairs: Haven’t you heard this is a healthier alternative to the elevator??

25 comments:

  1. Hahah..sorry to hear that Uma. Stairs are by all means healthy, but when you have grocery or bikes, then it's hard. Btw, the lift in my mom's apartment does the same. It doesn't stop in her floor. Luckily she is in the 1st floor though..:)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know, staying in lower floor have a lot of advantages that way. Even I am thankful that I don't have to use the lift at all times.

      Delete
  2. Gawd...I can so understand!! Our lifts are also like that...first of all they are incredibly slow. Second, one of them is always under maintenance. If they are working at all, they always seem to be going up when I need to go down! We live on the 6th floor so walking is not always an option. Its always so frustrating!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. always under maintenance..hahaha..tell me about it! Frustrating it is!

      Delete
  3. Infuriating indeed .. Following 'How to use an elevator without stopping' is the most unempathetic act anyone can ever do!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh I really hope nobody does that actually! Finding it on the net gave me the creeps, though :-)

      Delete
  4. LOLzzzzzzzz Uma I simply love the way you manage to make the most mundate things of life into such interesting posts dear.... who would have thought this except you!!

    And am sure the elevator will now treat with loads of respect as I am sure nobody would have given him so much of important by dedicating an entire post to him ;)

    Ha ha ha!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. LOLOL.. and now the elevator shall obey my orders in return for the honour bestowed upon the ungrateful machine ;-)
      thanks, Me :-)

      Delete
  5. I can imagine it can be pretty frustrating not to be able to use the elevator when you really need to.Loved your image which says - if you took the stairs you would already be there. You are lucky you have relatively less of a climp up/down. Alone I will always take stairs, but with kids, the lift anyday.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, totally..I keep thanking my luck for not having to use the lift at all times. I really have an alternate option.

      Delete
  6. Haha.. Funny!!:D Sometimes I face similar situation at my workplace.. my office is on the sixth floor.. Our building had three lifts and sometimes just one works.. during such times it takes too long to reach our floor and is stuffed with too many people!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. ahh..climbing six floors can be tough. Of course, at least the excuse is ready and can be validated ;-)

      Delete
  7. I could empathise with you so! All these have happened to me and I have not lived below the 5th floor, so taking the stairs was not an option at all. I would ride up instead, braving the dirty or snickering looks of the occupants. I also had another problem, the light in the lift would be so dim that by the time I figured out the floor on the board, someone in the upper floors would press for it and I would go up!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. hahaha...the light being dim sounded so funny..but how annoying when it actually happens, right?

      Delete
  8. Yes all these hardships make me choose for staircase. Plus it is a good exercise too.

    Why do elevators hate us?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know, why do they hate us??
      Welcome here, Aparna :-)

      Delete
  9. A nicely written post.Lucky you live in 2nd floor.Imagine your misery if you are like Zephyr in higher floors with such an erratic lift

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, sir! seriously, I keep thanking small mercies..better to rely on self than machines, at times :-)

      Delete
  10. Which floor number are we talking about? I empathize but it will lead to healthier you :P

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am on the second floor, Jas but nevertheless irked by the way the lift functions :-) Oh I don't deny the healthy aspect..:-)

      Delete
  11. hahahahah! this is building building ki kahani darling :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. hahaha...but what a poor state of affairs in that case!

      Delete
  12. YEs stairs are always the best, and this article is proof enough why we shud use them :)

    by the way did you check if you have 13th floor he he hehe

    Bikram's

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. ahh..the 13th floor angle did not strike me..lol

      Delete
  13. Lifts that dont stop are okay. But there are lifts whose doors dont function properly. With no sensors they shut unexpectedly with amazing speeds and are extremely dangerous. God! When there is something heavy to carry if the lift does not function it can be irritating! Btw I stay on the 10th floor. Just imagining my plight if I had to take the stairs! phew!

    ReplyDelete

Would love to hear from you :-)
Also, please click the subscribe by Email link below the comment form to get follow-up comments to your inbox..