[JohnHaugeland]

> What's so wrong with asking someone in an elevator? I'm all ears.

If the request makes them uncomfortable, the closed nature of the space makes it difficult for them to make a polite exit. The same applies to other locations where someone is temporarily unable to leave.

This also isn't really so much about dating or gender. Equally inappropriate would be uninvited political or religious commentary, bleak comedy, reference to recent very sad topics (violence, disease, natural disaster, abuse scandal,) or other topics with an unusual likelihood of creating distress.

The general idea is, just wait for the elevator to open, and ask once they have stepped outside; thirty seconds isn't going to kill you.