JKM News Oct 07, 2010
The Agency Stairs: Small-talk rising
While much maligned for their impact on knees and lower backs, the JAN Kelley stairs have become an undeniable hot-bed for small-talk. The most remarkable finding, from the recent study conducted by the JKM Behavioural Analysis Unit, was that the subject matter is often the stairs themselves. Early morning ascents are typically kicked off with a dreary-eyed, "Ready for the long climb?", "I wish we had an elevator" or, simply an expletive followed by the word "stairs".
Conversations were found to quickly shift to the weather or a work-related topic. "Personally, I think it's a great way to kick the day off," commented agency chatter-box, Stephanie Spinney. "The stairs get your blood flowing and give you something to talk about." However, not all JKM'ers enjoy the banister banter.
"Usually, I'll pretend I forgot something in the car," studio overlord, Roger Gonsalves, explains of his efforts in avoidance. "One morning I made four trips back to the parking lot before I was able to climb in peace." An unnamed senior staff member said that they simply glance at their watch and feverishly run up the stairs – giving the illusion that they have some place they're supposed to be. A stark contrast to the approach agency scribe, Ed Lees, takes. "I like to get about three-quarters up then sit down, take a breather, and enjoy the rest of my coffee. It's nice to say 'good morning' to everyone – you just have to watch out for people racing to meetings."
Chris SanisloCopywriter
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- Eric Gaudreau
- 2010-10-07 4:15pm
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Ah yes, the agency stairs. There's nothing like the all-staff page requesting assistance to help some poor delivery guy to bring up countless boxes to increase productivity and make you find some reason why they you are too busy to lend a hand.
- Krista Kay
- 2010-10-07 3:49pm
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Could you not find someone pregnant around here to comment on that trip up and down those stairs?! At about 6 months along, they are killer. Most of us just roll down... and get pushed up by some kind passerby who take pity on us (except for Ed, he just heckles the preggos).
@Krista I've heard trudging up flights of stairs promotes healthy development of a near-birth baby. Thus, I see no harm in viewing this as a source of economical entertainment. Definitely more bang for the buck in the summer months. And, a bonus if the Air Conditioning isn't working.