Observations

It hits me as a surprise how we take things for granted. 3 weeks in a row I have to show people how to use the room card to active the elevator in the hotel. During my last visit to Shijiazhuang, I walked around the Intercontinental Hotel checking out the spaces. Coming out from the ballroom floor, the elevator door opened with a cab full of people. They looked drunk and stunted. I let the door close and waited for the next cab to come. I got into the next one, and the door opened on me on the next floor. This time I was surprised to see the same group waiting to get into my cab. This group of drunk Chinese came into my can and tried every buttons on the panel. It was then I realized they had been riding the other elevator up and down for a little while. I piped up and instructed them to use the card key by sticking it in and pulling it out quickly. That took a few tries since they were also under the influence of alcohol.
Subsequently, I encountered similar situation in a Hilton last week, and a Westin tonight. Ah ah! It is a pattern.
Come to think about it, it is not the most intuitive idea. Who knows what to do with a card to begin with? You insert it, and swiftly pull it out. Or in other occasion you swipe it, or tab it, or rub it, or lick it... I mean who knows?!?
And the elevator call button panel is always in that polished shiny metal and the slot disappear into the lowest section. Who can see it anyway?!??
A couple of weeks ago when i visited Conrad Macao, I was told that the card reader was de-actived. The reason is that it is frankly inconvenient if you are traveling with you wife and your mistress(es). Or your regular local paid companion cannot just appear at your door. This totally makes sense!
Anyhow, just a thought...