Otis Elevators omit the 13th Floor / myLot

South Africa

May 13, 2016 9:24am CST

Did you know that many Tall Buildings all over the world do not have a 13th Floor? The fear of the number 13 - which is "Triskaidekaphobia" derived from the Greek origin " tris meaning "three", kai meaning "and", deka meaning "10" and phobos meaning "fear" or "morbid fear") is fear of the number 13 and avoidance to use it. It is also a reason for the fear of Friday the 13th" Most commonly, 13 is skipped, in this way: 12, 14, 15... The floor labeled "14" on the elevator is the thirteenth floor. "Dilip Rangnekar of Otis Elevators estimates that 85% of the buildings with Otis brand elevators do not have a floor named the 13th floor" Fleur mentioned this phenomenon in her response to my earlier post and I decided to exaggerate the story, as South African Tall buildings do not have 13th floors either. Have you noticed anything strange in your city or country with regards to the number feared by so many - 13? Let us hear all the stories - they are fascinating. So much information regarding the number 13 can actually explore many strange

11 people like this

12 responses

Marlina

@marlina (154103)

• Canada

13 May 16

I didn't know about the #13 being omitted in certain buildings.

3 people like this

PaintsOnSlate

@PainsOnSlate (21845)

• Canada

14 May 16

I have noticed in many cities that there is no 13th floor. I will have to check and see if Canada is the same. I've rarely been in an elevator while living in Canada.

1 person likes this

Inlemay

@Inlemay (17712)

• South Africa

15 May 16

we would love to hear if you have them missing there.

1 person likes this

PaintsOnSlate

@PainsOnSlate (21845)

• Canada

15 May 16

@Inlemay next time I'm in a city I will check it out.I looked on line and It sounds like there is no 13th floor - anywhere.

1 person likes this

Michelle

@infatuatedbby (94909)

• United States

13 May 16

I never knew that then again I never noticed I'll check whenever I'm in a large building if they 13 as a floor.

1 person likes this

Inlemay

@Inlemay (17712)

• South Africa

13 May 16

And do me a favour, when you enter and you see there is no 13th floor, ask the bell man for Floor 13 - see his reaction

1 person likes this

Michelle

@infatuatedbby (94909)

• United States

13 May 16

@Inlemay I don't remember when I'll be in a high building but when I am ~ hopefully I will remember!!

1 person likes this

Anna

@LadyDuck (502148)

• Italy

13 May 16

The 13 is not considered unlucky here in Switzerland, Otis put the number 13 on the Swiss lifts. I remember that the row 13 was missing in the US flights, but it's present in all the flights of European companies.

1 person likes this

Inlemay

@Inlemay (17712)

• South Africa

13 May 16

Yes Otis say only 85% of their lifts are missing a 13 - the others with 13 are probably in Europe

1 person likes this

Marie

@Tampa_girl7 (54714)

• United States

15 May 16

I have been in several buildings that skipped the 13 th floor.....so silly in my opinion.

1 person likes this

Inlemay

@Inlemay (17712)

• South Africa

16 May 16

Well it seems a silly universal thing - I love that it is worldwide - something we have in common.

ingrid

@ridingbet (66854)

• Philippines

14 May 16

buildings in Kuwait don't have 13th floor too.

1 person likes this

Inlemay

@Inlemay (17712)

• South Africa

14 May 16

Thank you for confirming that too.

1 person likes this

ElusiveButterfly

@ElusiveButterfly (45941)

• United States

13 May 16

I have heard of this before. Some feel that too many bad things happen around the number. When I was younger and people were moaning about the fact that it was Friday the 13th I remember being puzzled about it. Never had a problem with the day.

1 person likes this