Why are there mirrors next to most elevators?

Maybe you haven't noticed, but most elevators have a mirror somewhere in their proximity. This is not a coincidence.

There are almost no elevators not featuring a mirror close by (or inside, of course). This is neither a coincidence nor down to feng shui. What is the reason, then?

Mirrors are mounted close to elevators so that people would have something to do while waiting around.

The idea was born during the post-WW2 industrial boom, when buildings started increasing in height, leading to elevators taking more time to arrive. The reasoning behind mounting mirrors close to elevators is the same as for mounting them in airports – it gives people something to do while waiting.

They allow them to check their hair or secretly glance at other passengers at the airport. It proved to be effective, too: the number of complaints dropped almost overnight, the New York Times writes.

elevator

mirror

feng shui