At the risk of labeling myself as a complete geek or whack job, I have to admit that I like riding in elevators. I haven’t really analyzed why I like elevator rides so much, but I do.  I especially like riding elevators in places like China, Japan, and Singapore where the buildings are very tall.  The other great thing about these countries is that there is such an incredible variety of people that get into the elevators.  One ride from story 20 down to the lobby can garner 5 or 6 different nationalities.

Though the trip up is OK, I really prefer the trip down (to some extent, you can’t have one without the other). Though it annoys your average passenger, I think a perfect ride includes a stop at every floor.  I know what you are thinking, why don’t I just press the button for every floor so that I can make all the stops.  Well, it isn’t the stop that is interesting; it is who gets into the elevator at each stop that is interesting.  During the ride down, I like to play a game where I try to figure out where the people getting into the elevator are from.  You can usually figure it out by the way they are dressed or the language they are speaking.  Asia is a perfect place for this game because, as I stated above, there is a huge variety of people.

So, now I have a test, to see if you and I come to the same conclusion about where the following people are from.  I will show a picture resembling people I have riden with and some of the words I have heard these people speaking.  You try to figure out where you think they came from and we will see if we agree.

First person:

Speaking:  “Sie sind ein stummer Esel”
Guesses?  I am thinking Germany.  It was harder at the time because the guy did not have a beer.

Next Person:

Speaking:  “vous êtes un âne muet”
Guess?  I am thinking French.

Next Group:

Speaking:  “This Duffer is a drongo.”
Guess?  I am guessing Australian.  Truth be told, at least one of them is always wearing what looks like a bathing suit.

Next Group:

Speaking:  我不能够相信多美丽这个人是
Guess?  I am thinking they are from either China or Singapore.

Next Group:

Speaking:  美しいが、この男性はロバとして多分愚かです
Guess?  I think we can be certain the folks dressed like this were from Japan.

Next Group:

Speaking:  الاسلام دين السلام
Guess?  This is a tricky one.  If you are like me, you were probably thinking that these folks might be from America.  Maybe a state like Tennessee or possibly Alabama.  But upon closer inspection, you will notice that the outfits are not quite the same.  The guys from Tennessee and Alabama generally have pointier hats.

Not that I am profiling or anything, but… Regardless of where they are from, this group looks like they are up to no good.  When people dressed like this show up on the elevator, I cut the ride short.

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