all about the lift

The most awkward part of my day involves me enduring a packed lift down to the Environment Deck. It only happens when I leave the house earlier than 9am, which is rare lately. I live at the 13th floor (yes, we have 13th floors in Singapore, unlike in the Philippines where 13 is considered unlucky), and when the ordinary lift, which services the 1st to the 26th floor, reaches my floor it is usually packed.

I usually encounter two types of people in the lift: the friendly strangers (FS) and the zombies. The FS are typically the moms with kids, and Filipino domestic helpers; while the zombies are the always iPhone-flaunting, plugged-in yuppies and/or parents off to work, who, by the way, always rush out of the lift as if they're going to miss the next train. The most FS family I've encountered are my 13th floor neighbours (everyone says bye-bye to me every time we see each other, and the little girl calls me jie jie), while the most annoying zombies are the ones who need to get out at the first floor and who enthusiastically press the "close" door button the moment I took my first step out of the lift at the third floor. I have to admit I'm half-zombie, half-FS, talking to people only when they talk to me, and rushing to work only when I have to (I've got to thank our HR for my flexible schedule).

Earlier today, I was at the lift with a mom and her kid, and the little boy was staring at me intently. I smiled at him, but he just stared at me and never smiled back. When they got out of the 12th floor, he turned to me, waved his hand and said "bye". Such a sweet kid! And to think it was the first time I saw him! I shall remember to wave him goodbye next time.