# Stand to the right, walk to the left **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [September 1, 2000, 4:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stand-to-the-right-walk-to-the-left/31603 "2000-09-01T04:35:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Akatsukami](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ea666f/32.png) [@Akatsukami](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Akatsukami)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2001, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stand-to-the-right-walk-to-the-left/31603/21 "2001-02-28T14:02:44Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Klaatu \* > \*\*As a person woth a prosthetic leg, I can identify with this thread. I run into (pun intended) people all the time standing in front of escalators, store entrances, loitering in the middle of store aisles, etc. For me, walking is something I have to consciously think about. > > While I know most people dont give a thought about blocking a way through, sometimes I get irritated. (I know, bad attitude, but have some common fucking courtesy to ANYONE trying to get by) > > “Oops, sorry my carbon fiber foot just smashed the shit out of your toe, I have a fake leg, and can’t feel it, perhaps you shouldn’t stand in the fucking way…have a nice day!” > \*\* Of course, I experience the opposite problem, _viz._: "Yes, I know that I’m in your way. Actually, I knew that well before you bellowed, ‘Comin’ through!’; unlike many, I _do_ pay attention to my surroundings. You may have noticed, though, that I walk with a cane. You probably haven’t noticed that I have a very poor sense of balance, or that I can move only with difficulty, as those portions of my CNS that control such things have been damaged. I’d take the elevator, save that it was already full of lazy sons of fifty fathers like yourself, hoping that it would move at unheard-of speeds, and thus save them having to put forth any actual muscular effort to reach the ticket window. "Nonetheless, I _am_ moving out of your way. In fact, I wasn’t _in_ your way until you started playing Death Race 2000, Pedestrian Version. Regardless, I am _still_ moving out of your way. That you have chosen to sprint as fast as your little feet will carry you is not _my_ problem. That _my_ feet will carry me only at a shuffle _is_ my problem, but it wasn’t an immediate problem for _anyone_ until you realized that you have left yourself just barely enough time to keep your appointment in the most optimistic event, and began acting like a maniac. Start a few minutes earlier tomorrow, eh, instead of hitting the ‘snooze’ button on your alarm clock a half-dozen times. “Oh, and by the way: you certainly have the bulk and sure-footedness to knock me down; as I said, I have neither balance nor ability to move in any surplus. However, if you _do_ knock me down, make sure that you trample me into unconsciousness. Otherwise, you are likely to be surprised at how well I can manipulate my cane with my remaining working hand.” ---
**Author:** ![matt\_mcl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ab992/32.png) [@matt\_mcl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/matt_mcl)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2001, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stand-to-the-right-walk-to-the-left/31603/22 "2001-02-28T15:17:20Z")
You know, maybe, if your mobility is impaired, **you shouldn’t be standing on the wrong side in the first place.** You can perfectly well get on the correct side when you get **on** the escalator, rather than being forced to shove over by people with carbon-fiber prosthetics. Being mobility-impaired does not excuse you from being a dufus. ---
**Author:** ![Zoff](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/6de8d8/32.png) [@Zoff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zoff)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2001, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stand-to-the-right-walk-to-the-left/31603/23 "2001-02-28T15:19:55Z")
In fairness to the tourists from “Bumfuck, USA” Metro should put signs telling people to stand to the right. A lot of these folks just don’t know that what they’re doing is pissing people off. DC is a little more fast-paced than a lot of places, and many tourists come from a land where “escalator etiquette” isn’t even on the radar. ---
**Author:** ![matt\_mcl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ab992/32.png) [@matt\_mcl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/matt_mcl)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2001, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stand-to-the-right-walk-to-the-left/31603/24 "2001-02-28T15:26:42Z")
Yea, they should put them here, too. (Some places it might be a little difficult due to the architecture, but I’m sure they could manage.) ---
**Author:** ![lno](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/a8b319/32.png) [@lno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lno)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2001, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stand-to-the-right-walk-to-the-left/31603/25 "2001-02-28T15:58:39Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Eve \* > \*\*I’m submitting a bill to the NY House of Representatives to change the state motto to “NEW YORK—-THE ‘GET THE FUCK OUTTA MY WAY’ STATE.” \*\* I was under the impression that a proposed motto was “NEW YORK-THE ‘HEY! I’M WALKIN’ HERE!’ STATE.” ---
**Author:** ![parmalat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7c8e57/32.png) [@parmalat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/parmalat)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2001, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stand-to-the-right-walk-to-the-left/31603/26 "2001-02-28T16:13:22Z")
I don’t know that a sign would help that much. I’ve been in airports where they do have a sign (“Standees keep right”) along with a diagram of what to do every hundred feet or so and still people insist on standing in the middle of the people mover. And excuse the hijack, but I think the people who stop their strollers anywhere are the same people who stop their grocery store carts in the middle of the aisle so you can’t pass. My own mother is guilty of this. When I asked her about it, she apparently had no idea that this was an inconsiderate thing to do. Go figure. ---
**Author:** ![Zoff](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/6de8d8/32.png) [@Zoff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zoff)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2001, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stand-to-the-right-walk-to-the-left/31603/27 "2001-02-28T17:39:55Z")
> [@](#): > > _Originally posted by parmalat_ > I don’t know that a sign would help that much. I’ve been in airports where they do have a sign (“Standees keep right”) along with a diagram of what to do every hundred feet or so and still people insist on standing in the middle of the people mover. Of course there will always be people who ignore the sign or decide to stand on the left just to piss people off, but a sign would help a lot of people who simply don’t know that they should stand to the right. ---
**Author:** ![UncleBill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/d26b3c/32.png) [@UncleBill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleBill)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2001, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stand-to-the-right-walk-to-the-left/31603/28 "2001-02-28T18:43:05Z")
Who stand in line DIRECTLY in front of airline gate agent positions in a long line EVEN THOUGH it BLOCKS the FUCKING aisle for EVERYONE! **LINES CAN CURVE, YOU NUMBNIUTS!** Who get off a plane a fucking STOP right after they hit the terminal, BLOCKING everyone behind them! aaarrrrgghhhhhh I NEVER fly on Thanksgiving. ---
**Author:** ![gobear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8dc957/32.png) [@gobear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gobear)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2001, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stand-to-the-right-walk-to-the-left/31603/29 "2001-02-28T18:52:38Z")
I would really appreciate people getting out of my way on the Dupont Circle escalator. I can walk faster than others and I hate plodding behind some poor soul who clearly hasn’t gotten exercise in some time. If you’re not up to walking, then MOVE TO THE RIGHT AND LET ME PASS! ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2001, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stand-to-the-right-walk-to-the-left/31603/30 "2001-02-28T19:14:21Z")
If they had signs, at least when someone nodded politely and remained in your way, you could point at the sign as you made your point a second time. An occasional sign showing how to fold one’s newspaper subway-style would be helpful too - folks, you can’t just open it wide like you do on the sofa at home. (This one is pretty specific to the tourists from West Bumfuck; the locals just about all know that you fold your paper in a W, and read only one-half of each page at a time.) ---
**Author:** ![Montfort](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d6d6ee/32.png) [@Montfort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Montfort)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2001, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stand-to-the-right-walk-to-the-left/31603/31 "2001-03-01T01:06:07Z")
I like it when my old threads are bumped and added to with useful content! 🙂 Just this morning, I was hauling ass up the Dupont Circle - 19th Street escalator, on my way to the meeting where I eventually got laid off… Anyway, two people heard my footsteps and kindly stepped to the right without my invitation. One was probably a tourist, the other was a native-looking-type. Ignorance is being fought in the trenches of the subways daily! Keep up the good fight! ---
**Author:** ![matt\_mcl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ab992/32.png) [@matt\_mcl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/matt_mcl)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2001, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stand-to-the-right-walk-to-the-left/31603/32 "2001-03-01T01:10:57Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Montfort \* > \*\*Just this morning, I was hauling ass up the Dupont Circle - 19th Street escalator, on my way to the meeting where I eventually got laid off… > > Ignorance is being fought in the trenches of the subways daily! \*\* I like a man who has his priorities straight! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Akatsukami](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ea666f/32.png) [@Akatsukami](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Akatsukami)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2001, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stand-to-the-right-walk-to-the-left/31603/33 "2001-03-01T02:46:01Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by matt\_mcl \* > \*\*You know, maybe, if your mobility is impaired, **you shouldn’t be standing on the wrong side in the first place.** You can perfectly well get on the correct side when you get **on** the escalator, rather than being forced to shove over by people with carbon-fiber prosthetics. Being mobility-impaired does not excuse you from being a dufus. \*\* I would gladly not stand on the wrong side. However, since the wrong side is the one on which hulking young louts barrel along, and I have failed to learn the trick of reading what they are pleased to call their minds to determine which side that that will be, I often find myself, retroactively as were, standing on the wrong side no matter which side I choose. Having run for the Canadian Parliament doesn’t excuse your being an arrogant prick, although, judging from the “progressive” political activists that I have seen, _thinking_ that it does is probably a prerequisite. ---
**Author:** ![matt\_mcl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ab992/32.png) [@matt\_mcl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/matt_mcl)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2001, 3:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stand-to-the-right-walk-to-the-left/31603/34 "2001-03-01T03:33:53Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Akatsukami \* > > I would gladly not stand on the wrong side. However, since the wrong side is the one on which hulking young louts barrel along, and I have failed to learn the trick of reading what they are pleased to call their minds to determine which side that that will be, I often find myself, retroactively as were, standing on the wrong side no matter which side I choose. Which side is the correct one, is the topic of the current thread. You may find this information useful in the future. If you find yourself standing on the mandated correct side, and someone comes barreling into you, you have every right in the world not to get out of their way. If you do not, I am afraid there is little to be done. > [@](#): > > Having run for the Canadian Parliament doesn’t excuse your being an arrogant prick. Nor does being disabled excuse you from being a plangent misanthrope. ---
**Author:** ![uberDave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/f04885/32.png) [@uberDave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/uberDave)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2001, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stand-to-the-right-walk-to-the-left/31603/35 "2001-03-01T13:59:29Z")
When occurences happen such as these, i.e. crowded sidewalks in cities, etc. I have often spoken **very** loudly “This is still America, please pass on the right”. Of course, it only works in the states… ---
**Author:** ![Una\_Persson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/una_persson/32/346_2.png) [@Una\_Persson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Una_Persson)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2001, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stand-to-the-right-walk-to-the-left/31603/36 "2001-03-01T17:00:53Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Zette \* > \*\*Same for the people movers in the airport. > > Anyway, stand to the right on the people movers, 'K? Some of us have to haul ass (due to no fault of our own) \*\* And when I _am_ standing on the right, as I normally am, and was doing so yesterday in the St. Louis airport with a bad leg, **don’t motherfucking come up right behind me** , make exaggerated sighs, and jabber about how “this is pointless - why won’t she move?” when **I’m already standing on the right, minding my own goddamn business!!!** I swear I’m going to take my cute little Leatherman tool on my keyring and gut the next ass goblin that does that just like a fucking trout. :mad: ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2001, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stand-to-the-right-walk-to-the-left/31603/37 "2001-03-01T18:41:23Z")
**matt\_mcl and Akatsukami** get a solid 9.5 for some of the best name-calling I’ve seen yet on the boards. Nice work. This rant is particular appropriate today, after having been brushed by a speeding biker while walking to work this morning, and having him screech to a stop (I thought he was going to see if I was alright) and start yelling at me for getting in his way. In Calgary, pedestrians and bikers share the bikepaths (there are signs posted everywhere that say “Bikers yield to pedestrians”), but apparently, in the very high traffic area I was in, this particular biker _owns_ the pathway. Listen, bub, when I come off the bridge and I make a beeline to the pathway leading to downtown, if you had been paying attention (and maybe ringing your bell and saying “On your left” like you were supposed to), you would have noticed that I was walking across the traffic. Maybe you need hand signals; I thought it was pretty obvious what I was doing after I turned my body and started walking in another direction. I have no intention of scurrying out of your way like a scared mouse; we have to share these pathways, and a little courtesy would go a long way. ---
**Author:** ![AWB](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/bb73d2/32.png) [@AWB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AWB)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2001, 12:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stand-to-the-right-walk-to-the-left/31603/38 "2001-03-02T12:19:40Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Montfort \* > \*\*Simple escalator rules. > > Follow 'em, people. > > Especially when you’re on the Metro in DC. \*\* I live in DC too, and sometimes use the Metro. However, _nowhere_ is it posted to “stand to the right, walt to the left”. There’s a bunch of rules at the end of the escalators that talk about holding onto the railing and watching your children, but nothing about “stand right walk left”. ---
**Author:** ![VaHermit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/ed655f/32.png) [@VaHermit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VaHermit)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2001, 1:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stand-to-the-right-walk-to-the-left/31603/39 "2001-03-02T13:08:56Z")
**Montfort** and **AWB** , I live about two hours out from DC and have relatives in Alexandra. I visit regularly and since my grandsons are old enough to accompany me, I find myself doing the Metro tourist thing a good bit. Next time I get over your way, I’ll be sure to wear a SDMB tee shirt. If I’m in your way, be sure to tap me on my shoulder and say hi before you smack the shit out of me, ok? 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Montfort](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d6d6ee/32.png) [@Montfort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Montfort)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2001, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stand-to-the-right-walk-to-the-left/31603/40 "2001-03-02T16:14:32Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by AWB \* > \*\*I live in DC too, and sometimes use the Metro. However, _nowhere_ is it posted to “stand to the right, walt to the left”. There’s a bunch of rules at the end of the escalators that talk about holding onto the railing and watching your children, but nothing about “stand right walk left”. \*\* It’s a universal rule. You stand on the right on the escalators and let people pass you on the left. Hell, you drive on the right and pass on the left on the highway. (Well, except the Beltway, but that’s another thread…) And, **VaHermit** , I’d never smack a grandfather. Just don’t call me “Sonny,” though. 😛 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stand-to-the-right-walk-to-the-left/31603.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stand-to-the-right-walk-to-the-left/31603.md?page=3)