# 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:** 5
**Author:** ![Gadarene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47c2d/32.png) [@Gadarene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gadarene)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2006, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/escalator-etiquette/377588/81 "2006-10-23T20:23:52Z")
Wow, you’re a total dolt. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2006, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/escalator-etiquette/377588/82 "2006-10-23T20:24:50Z")
[QUOTE=Gadarene] Wow, you’re a total dolt. 🙂 [/QUOTE] A boring troll, IMO. ---
**Author:** ![ASAKMOTSD](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/919ad9/32.png) [@ASAKMOTSD](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ASAKMOTSD)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2006, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/escalator-etiquette/377588/83 "2006-10-23T20:29:47Z")
I was in Manhattan last week & got jostled into the “walk” side of the escalator coming up out of the subway. Man - was that a long climb with a computer bag stuffed to the limits on my shoulder. All the spaces on the “stand” side were filled, so I hoofed it all the way to the freaking top. I learned & I was tired, but at least I am not among the “pitted” ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2006, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/escalator-etiquette/377588/84 "2006-10-23T20:30:46Z")
[QUOTE=Sarahfeena] Most malls with escalators also have stairways. If I’m in a hurry, I use the stairs instead…there are a lot fewer people on them, and I can usually go as fast as I want. This might be a good solution for you in the future. [/QUOTE] The Op **{Loopydude}** mentioned he normally takes stairs over escalators. He miscalculated this time and got a bozo in front of him. [QUOTE=Oakminster] OP was the rude one. He wanted to inconvenience someone else, and then got all pissy when his request was denied. Nevermind the safety issues involved in passing people on escalators. Further, he was offered the opportunity to resolve matters outside and declined. Now he vents his righteous fury on a messageboard. Yawn. [/QUOTE] Safety Issues? Safety Issues? Really? Are you trying to convince us it is particularly dangerous to pass someone on an escalator? [QUOTE=Gadarene] I wonder how neatly the two sides of this debate would cleave into “posters who spend significant time using trains, subways, and Metros” and “posters who don’t.” [/QUOTE] I don’t use trains, subways or Metros except rarely and I completely agree with you on non-moving people keeping to the side to allow walkers to pass. I believe \*\*Hal \*\* is in the same category. I do not think it is a commuter train issue. I think it is that some people are always in a hurry and some are not. Look at any of the weekly, “Keep Right except to pass” Pit threads. [QUOTE=Lamar Mundane] My favorites are the people (Usually older couples and teenage girls) who step off the escalator at the top (or bottom) then freeze trying to decide which way to go. Then they get upset when you barge into them. [/QUOTE] There is something seriously wrong with these people. I have never understood people who do not step away from the end of the escalator. They cannot all have just ridden an escalator for the first time. Jim ---
**Author:** ![Zakalwe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zakalwe/32/270_2.png) [@Zakalwe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zakalwe)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2006, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/escalator-etiquette/377588/85 "2006-10-23T20:31:52Z")
[QUOTE=jjimm] A boring troll, IMO. [/QUOTE] I agree. Fortunately, with a join date of September 2006, a troll with a limited life span. ---
**Author:** ![overeasy4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/b9bd4f/32.png) [@overeasy4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/overeasy4)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2006, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/escalator-etiquette/377588/86 "2006-10-23T20:37:20Z")
[QUOTE=What Exit?] The Op **{Loopydude}** mentioned he normally takes stairs over escalators. He miscalculated this time and got a bozo in front of him. Safety Issues? Safety Issues? Really? Are you trying to convince us it is particularly dangerous to pass someone on an escalator? [/QUOTE] Nope. But its rude to shove people out of the way because you erroneously imagine your time is more important than theirs. I hope all those shovers get shoved out of the way wherever they are going, and maybe even injured, because those people who shove you really are more important and deserve to get to their places more than you do. ---
**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 23, 2006, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/escalator-etiquette/377588/87 "2006-10-23T20:38:39Z")
[QUOTE=Oakminster] I bet you don’t pull the tough guy crap on anybody your own size, do ya? [/QUOTE] Yes I do. However, anecdotally speaking, I find more big men to be politer about moving than smaller men. Plus, this mostly happens on the NYC transit system, where if you get one ‘blocking back’, there will be a dozen of running backs drafting in your wake. Having said all that, I’d say that 90%+ of people will move, smaller men included. ---
**Author:** ![Loopydude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e56c9b/32.png) [@Loopydude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loopydude)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2006, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/escalator-etiquette/377588/88 "2006-10-23T20:38:54Z")
[QUOTE=Lord Ashtar] Why does that guy have to take your shit? If you’re in such a hurry that you can’t wait 10 seconds for the escalator to reach the top (or bottom, whatever the case may be), then you should be running your errand another time when you aren’t in such a rush. If someone came up behind me on a escalator and said, “What, you call moving one foot in front of the other being in a hurry, _buddy_? Could you just move to one side, _buddy_?”, I’d’ve told you to go get fucked. [/QUOTE] Well, I admit, I probably should have kept my trap shut for the sake of world peace and all when he made the first rude comment. But I did say please the first time. And the second time. ---
**Author:** ![overeasy4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/b9bd4f/32.png) [@overeasy4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/overeasy4)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2006, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/escalator-etiquette/377588/89 "2006-10-23T20:38:56Z")
[QUOTE=Zakalwe] I agree. Fortunately, with a join date of September 2006, a troll with a limited life span. [/QUOTE] [shoves idiot Zakalwe out of the way to post cause my time is more important] LOL ---
**Author:** ![Gadarene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47c2d/32.png) [@Gadarene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gadarene)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2006, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/escalator-etiquette/377588/90 "2006-10-23T20:41:46Z")
> [@](#): > > I hope all those shovers get shoved out of the way wherever they are going, and maybe even injured, because those people who shove you really are more important and deserve to get to their places more than you do. Among those posters supporting the OP, I can count only one who’s said anything that would suggest that he condones shoving. Do you have a different tally? If not, can you kindly stow the straw man? ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2006, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/escalator-etiquette/377588/91 "2006-10-23T20:42:25Z")
[QUOTE=overeasy4] Nope. But its rude to shove people out of the way because you erroneously imagine your time is more important than theirs. I hope all those shovers get shoved out of the way wherever they are going, and maybe even injured, because those people who shove you really are more important and deserve to get to their places more than you do. [/QUOTE] The Op did not shove the Bozo in front. I have not advocated shoving them. In fact in all honesty, if anyone did shove someone and they got hurt, I would guess they would be in quite a bit of trouble. This is not the issue of the Op. The issue is why, when asked politely the “gentleman” in question could not just step to the side. [QUOTE=Zakalwe] [Quote=jjimm] A boring troll, IMO. [/QUOTE] I agree. Fortunately, with a join date of September 2006, a troll with a limited life span. [/QUOTE] I think you are being premature on calling overeasy4 a troll. He/She just seems to have an unpopular opinion on this subject. I strongly disagree with him also, but in a quick check of his prior posting, he does not appear to be trolling. YMMV. Jim ---
**Author:** ![overeasy4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/b9bd4f/32.png) [@overeasy4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/overeasy4)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2006, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/escalator-etiquette/377588/92 "2006-10-23T20:44:07Z")
Some of these folk are saying they must go before the people in front of them. I say they can wait. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2006, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/escalator-etiquette/377588/93 "2006-10-23T20:45:44Z")
[QUOTE=overeasy4] Some of these folk are saying they must go before the people in front of them. I say they can wait. [/QUOTE] Yes, but then you brought up shoving for little apparent reason. Now please tell me why is it so difficult for people to move to the side and not block the middle of the escalator? ---
**Author:** ![anu-la1979](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/47e85d/32.png) [@anu-la1979](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anu-la1979)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2006, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/escalator-etiquette/377588/94 "2006-10-23T20:46:25Z")
> [@](#): > > **Asimovian** :I am still baffled at why the LA subway system removed the signs that used to tell people (in remarkably unfunny cartoon messages) that they should stand to the right and walk to the left. Now, I have nothing relevant to back me up when I want to bitch at the one person who inevitably stands on the left, RIGHT NEXT to someone properly standing on the right, so that no one can get by them. Getting on the escalators on the LA Metro is the certain kiss of death anyway. As ridership increases the assault on my olfactory senses also rises. Not wanting to stand behind or talk to possibly belligerent people who interpret politely worded requests as an opportunity to lock antlers is exactly why I take the stairs, almost every single time (except on days when the heel length on my shoes exceeds 3 inches). Believe me, they are remarkably free of traffic. ---
**Author:** ![HazelNutCoffee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ac91a4/32.png) [@HazelNutCoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HazelNutCoffee)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2006, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/escalator-etiquette/377588/95 "2006-10-23T20:48:03Z")
Is this concept of lanes on escalators not common in the States? In Korea, there are signs that specifically state that the right is for people who want to stand, and the left is for people who want to walk. I noticed this in London, too - if you stand in the middle, or on the left, YOU are the one getting dirty looks and perceived as being rude. And yet here in the US, many people seem to just plant themselves in the middle and seem offended when asked politely to move a step to one side. It’s not a big deal for me - I’m rarely in a hurry, and am pretty easygoing as a rule - but it’s baffling. Why is it rude to politely request that someone to take a step to one side, but not rude to block the path of others for the sake of… well, for the sake of what? ---
**Author:** ![overeasy4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/b9bd4f/32.png) [@overeasy4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/overeasy4)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2006, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/escalator-etiquette/377588/96 "2006-10-23T20:49:11Z")
[QUOTE=What Exit?] Yes, but then you brought up shoving for little apparent reason. Now please tell me why is it so difficult for people to move to the side and not block the middle of the escalator? [/QUOTE] D\_Odds brought it up. People can wait a few seconds. The escalator is there so one doesn’t have to walk. ---
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2006, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/escalator-etiquette/377588/97 "2006-10-23T20:50:57Z")
[QUOTE=D\_Odds] Yes I do. However, anecdotally speaking, I find more big men to be politer about moving than smaller men. Plus, this mostly happens on the NYC transit system, where if you get one ‘blocking back’, there will be a dozen of running backs drafting in your wake. Having said all that, I’d say that 90%+ of people will move, smaller men included. [/QUOTE] I’ll drink to the 10%. Might pay a nickel to watch you encounter one of them sometime. Think it would be fun to watch. ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2006, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/escalator-etiquette/377588/98 "2006-10-23T20:52:09Z")
[QUOTE=What Exit?] I think you are being premature on calling overeasy4 a troll. He/She just seems to have an unpopular opinion on this subject. I strongly disagree with him also, but in a quick check of his prior posting, he does not appear to be trolling. YMMV. [/QUOTE] Clearly trolling in this thread, though, other posts notwithstanding. ---
**Author:** ![Gadarene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47c2d/32.png) [@Gadarene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gadarene)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2006, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/escalator-etiquette/377588/99 "2006-10-23T20:52:37Z")
> [@](#): > > The escalator is there so one doesn’t have to walk. Actually, the escalator is there to ease transit. Do you have a cite to the contrary? ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2006, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/escalator-etiquette/377588/100 "2006-10-23T20:53:11Z")
[QUOTE=overeasy4] D\_Odds brought it up. People can wait a few seconds. The escalator is there so one doesn’t have to walk. [/QUOTE] We are not asking you to walk, we are asking you to keep to one side. Please, enjoy the brief rest, but move to the side why doing so. Simple enough. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/escalator-etiquette/377588.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/escalator-etiquette/377588.md?page=6)