[snarf21]

I'd say it slightly differently. The thing I've observed is that the physical closeness creates a bias. You are more likely to give someone you "know" the benefit of the doubt. Someone who is remote is more likely to be seen as clueless or "them not us" even if you'd agree with someone local on the same idea. We as humans long to belong. It is hard to separate them from the rest of the experience. I think the other fact is the hallway and elevator are great opportunities to "get to know" someone when in reality it is just knowing more about someone not necessarily really knowing them as a person. But those are the things that create the familiarity and benefit of the doubt later.