Why I Shouldn’t Be Allowed in Public without Supervision

Yesterday I was visiting a 3-story office building. I stepped into the elevator and pressed the button for “3,” and an older woman came in behind me. She leaned toward the elevator control panel and verified that the “3” light was on. I waited for her to push the button again, because everyone pushes the button again. But she didn’t and it made me smile. And she needed to explain why she didn’t push the button; despite the fact that it had already been pushed.

Woman: I am going to the same floor as you.

Beej: I expected you to push the button again.

Woman: Why would I do that? You already pushed it.

Beej: Because everyone pushes the button, even though they know it’s already been pushed. It’s just a thing that you always see people do.

Woman: Really? I don’t think I’ve ever done that.

Beej: You do realize that pushing it again makes the elevator go faster, right?

Woman: Really? I didn’t know that.

Beej: Yep.  (Elevator opens on third floor, I get out.)

Woman: Wow, I guess you do learn something new every day.