# Escalator Etiquette **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [October 23, 2006, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/escalator-etiquette/377588 "2006-10-23T16:32:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 11
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2006, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/escalator-etiquette/377588/201 "2006-10-24T15:24:10Z")
[QUOTE=tdn] I’m only up to halfway through page 3 of this thread, but you strike me as the first “moverighter” to come off as reasonable so far. The thing is, if I’m having a panic attack, I may well come off as a pugnacious, jerky, large weary guy, blocking the way for no apparent reason, who will not move when requested. In such a state I am in no position to explain myself to someone who I perceive wants to put my well being at risk because he cannot manage his own time. Trust me, as much as you don’t want to deal with me, I don’t want to deal with you times ten. [/quote] Well, more than a few people, including me, have said that we’re willing to make exceptions for people who have this sort of problem, but… [QUOTE=tdn] People may have very valid reasons for not moving right, and those reasons might not be visibly obvious. The sensible thing to do is to not assume belligerence, give the person the benefit of the doubt, not shove by a person on a moving staircase, and to suck it up and wait. [/quote] What percentage of the population do you really think this applies to? Unless you can demonstrate otherwise, i’m going to remain convinced that the number of people who have panic attacks or other psychological problems on escalators is _far_ exceeded by the number of inconsiderate assholes who just won’t move to the right. ---
**Author:** ![Gangster\_Octopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a8b319/32.png) [@Gangster\_Octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gangster_Octopus)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2006, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/escalator-etiquette/377588/202 "2006-10-24T15:30:05Z")
This is one of those situations where the person in most cases should move to the right, out of some courtesy, but the level of inconvenience it could be causing is so incredibly slight as to make it really unworthy of a five page discussion. ---
**Author:** ![GorillaMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/50afbb/32.png) [@GorillaMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GorillaMan)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2006, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/escalator-etiquette/377588/203 "2006-10-24T15:43:56Z")
[QUOTE=Gangster Octopus] This is one of those situations where the person in most cases should move to the right, out of some courtesy, but the level of inconvenience it could be causing is so incredibly slight as to make it really unworthy of a five page discussion. [/QUOTE] It’s lucky you ended up on the sixth page, isn’t it? 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Loopydude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e56c9b/32.png) [@Loopydude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loopydude)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2006, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/escalator-etiquette/377588/204 "2006-10-24T15:46:32Z")
[QUOTE=Gangster Octopus] This is one of those situations where the person in most cases should move to the right, out of some courtesy, but the level of inconvenience it could be causing is so incredibly slight as to make it really unworthy of a five page discussion. [/QUOTE] You’re right, but the being-a-fucking-douchebag thing got me all talkative. ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2006, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/escalator-etiquette/377588/205 "2006-10-24T16:21:55Z")
[QUOTE=Fiveyearlurker] Ooh. On my way home from work, I’m gonna drive down the two lane road at exactly the speed limit and split the two lanes going in my direction, thereby blocking both of them. [/QUOTE] Is this supposed to be some sort of analogy? That someone standing in the middle of one escalator is actually standing on both the up and down escalators? And slowing down the machinery of one, while simultaneously causing head-on collisions in the other? Dude, get off the road. Your analogy is out of gas and blocking my way. ---
**Author:** ![Bridget\_Burke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7cd45c/32.png) [@Bridget\_Burke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bridget_Burke)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2006, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/escalator-etiquette/377588/206 "2006-10-24T16:26:33Z")
[QUOTE=Loopydude] But you know what? Fuck that guy with a rusty Sawzall. What a complete and utter fucking piece of shit. [/QUOTE] You are certainly a convincing advocate for courtesy! If the escalator was truly as wide as you indicate, the man who did not move at your polite request appears to be in the wrong. But, referring to your OP, it appears that you were already stressed out because of your hatred of _malls_. I don’t visit a mall unless I’m in the mood. And I usually use the stairs or an elevator because I _do_ tend to get vertigo on down-escalators. I use public transit, but often-flooded Houston has has no subways. However, I realize that transit schedules can make speed important. Mall shoppers are generally more laid-back (except on heavy-shopping days–the ones I avoid.) Perhaps you should find a way to stay out of malls. ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2006, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/escalator-etiquette/377588/207 "2006-10-24T16:30:13Z")
[QUOTE=mhendo] Well, more than a few people, including me, have said that we’re willing to make exceptions for people who have this sort of problem, but…What percentage of the population do you really think this applies to? [/QUOTE] I have no idea. Probably not many. But if the subject of the discussion is politeness, then it seems the polite thing to do is to give someone the benefit of the doubt. And wait your turn. Does no one see the irony in saying “Learn some fucking manners, ya fucking douchebag!”? The thing is, if you are polite, you’ll stand to the right when requested to do so. By the same token, however, if you are polite, you’ll wait your turn. Oh, and **DianaG** – I’m every bit the Yankee that you are. ---
**Author:** ![D\_Odds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/d_odds/32/2882_2.png) [@D\_Odds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Odds)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2006, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/escalator-etiquette/377588/208 "2006-10-24T16:30:14Z")
[QUOTE=tdn] > [@fiveyearlurker](#): > > Ooh. On my way home from work, I’m gonna drive down the two lane road at exactly the speed limit and split the two lanes **going in my direction** , thereby blocking both of them. Is this supposed to be some sort of analogy? That someone standing in the middle of one escalator is actually standing on both the up and down escalators? And slowing down the machinery of one, while simultaneously causing head-on collisions in the other? Dude, get off the road. Your analogy is out of gas and blocking my way. [/QUOTE] Emphasis added. I read it as straddling two lanes going in the same direction. ---
**Author:** ![Gadarene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47c2d/32.png) [@Gadarene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gadarene)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2006, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/escalator-etiquette/377588/209 "2006-10-24T16:30:47Z")
**tdn** , regarding **Fiveyearlurker’s** analogy: > [@](#): > > On my way home from work, I’m gonna drive down the two lane road at exactly the speed limit and split the two lanes going in my direction, thereby blocking both of them. Emphasis mine. So, um. Yeah. You might have misread that. ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2006, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/escalator-etiquette/377588/210 "2006-10-24T16:32:21Z")
[QUOTE=D\_Odds] Emphasis added. I read it as straddling two lanes going in the same direction. [/QUOTE] Ah. My bad. Sorry. Still, to make it a valid analogy, the person on the escalator would have to be backing up. To stand on the escalator is to go at precisely the speed limit. ---
**Author:** ![Loopydude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e56c9b/32.png) [@Loopydude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loopydude)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2006, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/escalator-etiquette/377588/211 "2006-10-24T16:34:42Z")
[QUOTE=Bridget Burke] You are certainly a convincing advocate for courtesy! [/QUOTE] Look, just because I think most people suck doesn’t mean I wouldn’t be very nice to them to their face if they extend me the same courtesy. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Gadarene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47c2d/32.png) [@Gadarene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gadarene)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2006, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/escalator-etiquette/377588/212 "2006-10-24T16:38:58Z")
**tdn:** > [@](#): > > Still, to make it a valid analogy, the person on the escalator would have to be backing up. To stand on the escalator is to go at precisely the speed limit. Not doing to well on this one, are ya? 🙂 Check out **fiveyearlurker’s** post again: > [@](#): > > Ooh. On my way home from work, I’m gonna drive down the two lane road at exactly the speed limit and split the two lanes going in my direction, thereby blocking both of them. Emphasis mine. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Trunk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/87869e/32.png) [@Trunk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trunk)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2006, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/escalator-etiquette/377588/213 "2006-10-24T16:47:13Z")
[QUOTE=tdn] Does no one see the irony in saying “Learn some fucking manners, ya fucking douchebag!”? [/QUOTE] Not on the internet. In real life, yes. ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2006, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/escalator-etiquette/377588/214 "2006-10-24T16:49:50Z")
[QUOTE=Gadarene] Not doing to well on this one, are ya? 🙂 Check out **fiveyearlurker’s** post again: [/QUOTE] I’m taking a short break from this thread. ---
**Author:** ![Gadarene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47c2d/32.png) [@Gadarene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gadarene)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2006, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/escalator-etiquette/377588/215 "2006-10-24T16:55:36Z")
> [@](#): > > I’m taking a short break from this thread. Heh. Hell, for my part, I’m utterly embarrassed that I spelled “too” incorrectly for what may be the first time in my online life. Of course, as one of the progenitors of Gaudere’s law, I probably had it coming. ---
**Author:** ![MizGrand](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/cdc98d/32.png) [@MizGrand](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MizGrand)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2006, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/escalator-etiquette/377588/216 "2006-10-24T17:06:02Z")
I don’t think I would’ve _asked_. If it was just little old me I’d have approached on the left side where you might walk, say “excuse me” or “pardon me” and have expected the person to move. When they don’t/won’t move I just think I’d say it a little louder, assuming they hadn’t heard me the first time and again expectantly wait for them to move. Then, if they refused again, I might respond with stating “well, that’s just inconsiderate”. People are routinely oblivious and inconsiderate. If I were the one blocking the escalator and asked to move sans kids, I’d probably apologize and move out of the way. There’s no reason what-so-ever for the shitty response of the punk dude who peppers his comments with a snarky _buddy_. Being female may have something to do with my response. ---
**Author:** ![Count\_Blucher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Count\_Blucher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Count_Blucher)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2006, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/escalator-etiquette/377588/217 "2006-10-24T17:39:14Z")
The situation reported by the OP is unique in as much as I have never seen anything like that OP in the real world. I have seen people stand on the left who seemed oblivious. I have seen people try to step on and crush shopping bags of goods so they can get to the top 2 seconds earlier. I argue for neither. Obviously if there is a sign, you follow those rules. What to do without such a sign is a personal choice. Personally, I feel that if you are ‘asked’, the fact that you have been asked gives you the right to say ‘yes’ as well as to say ‘no’. If this is not the case, then you aren’t being ‘asked’, you are being ‘told’, and you may feel free to reply as you see fit … as you would to anyone who tells you what to do. If you are being ‘asked’ and if you say ‘no’, then that should be respected. ---
**Author:** ![BwanaBob](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bwanabob/32/2985_2.png) [@BwanaBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BwanaBob)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2006, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/escalator-etiquette/377588/218 "2006-10-24T18:25:10Z")
[QUOTE=Oakminster] Asking someone to act to accomodate your wishes is an intrusion. In some situations, the intrusion is warranted, other times it isn’t… [/QUOTE] So I ask you “Excuse me, I see you have a watch, can you tell me the time?”. I might not be late for an appointment; I just want to know the time and I forgot my watch. According to you, that’s an intrusion, since I’m asking you to accomodate my desire to know the time. :rolleyes: Failure to tell me the time in that instance; or in the escalator case, to not move aside is assholishness of the first order. I’m convinced this mind-set has a genetic component to it, and I wish it could be bred out of humanity. Rather, it should be bred out of humanity. ---
**Author:** ![D\_Odds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/d_odds/32/2882_2.png) [@D\_Odds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Odds)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2006, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/escalator-etiquette/377588/219 "2006-10-24T18:53:25Z")
[QUOTE=Count Blucher] The situation reported by the OP is unique in as much as I have never seen anything like that OP in the real world. I have seen people stand on the left who seemed oblivious. I have seen people try to step on and crush shopping bags of goods so they can get to the top 2 seconds earlier. I argue for neither. [/QUOTE] I have, more than once, on the escalator I linked to earlier. A woman (always a woman in my experiences), upon seeing two lines entering a crowded escalator - one moving quickly and climbing and another, longer, slower moving line just standing - decides to take the quicker route and stop. The next person in line (not me) confronted the woman (not kindly), but the woman stood her ground. The next person then proceeded to move past. Before the woman could react, the person following moved past, and so on. I was about half-a-dozen or so back, and I just followed my blocking backs. For those of you not used to urban transport, you’ll assume this was nasty NYers abusing this poor woman. Those used to urban transport will spot a woman who decided she didn’t want to wait on line and tried to inconvenience everyone behind her, much to her chagrin. Another situation - there is a stagger of bodies on the escalator, some right, some left, with enough room to manuever. There, I have no problem slaloming down (you get this in the evening, as by the time I left the crowds were somewhat lighter). In non-commute situations, I simply prefer to keep moving. If I’m walking and encounter moving stairs, that’s a bonus. Saves me time to my destination. I don’t like to stop walking. In a perfect world, the people who wish to keep moving can keep moving and those that want to stop and smell the mall odor can stop. I shouldn’t have to stop because you want me to stop. Your right of way does not trump my right of way. ---
**Author:** ![Carlyjay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e0b2c6/32.png) [@Carlyjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carlyjay)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2006, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/escalator-etiquette/377588/220 "2006-10-24T19:08:32Z")
People are getting all tied up in metaphors and parallels. Fact is, taking this whole thing away from escalators: It’s rude to respond snottily to a polite and reasonable request. The request was made politely (if possibly in a hurried way). Why be a jerk just because YOU think the world ought to go at the same speed as you? The person making the request wasn’t a jerk. They just made a polite request. If it’s that much of a pain for you to move, say so politely. “I’m afraid I haven’t much room here as it is, and I’d rather not move over. Sorry.” Even so, I’d think you were a bit of a jerk for blatantly refusing a simple request to make room for your fellow human being in a public area, but at least you were as polite about it as possible. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/escalator-etiquette/377588.md?page=10) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/escalator-etiquette/377588.md?page=12)