Janet Collins
Jason KingThe Etiquette of Riding an Escalator
April 18th 2011 21:29
Being school holidays at the moment shopping centres can be a frustrating and extremely crowded places as can any escalator into the bowels of a train station or subway at the start or end of the work day. One of my places of work is at the very top of a shopping centre and for two days straight the escalator has broken down forcing hundreds of people to queue and catch the elevator. So I have had escalators on my mind and have noticed how people just use them like a staircase in their own home or a group of selfish cyclists on the street riding side by side.
Listen up people, there are some simple rules to follow that can make things easier for the entire population. Apparently in Japan it is common knowledge and adhered to like general road rules but in Australia we are a little more self centred with less care for our fellow Aussie unless facing a time of crisis.
1) My most important rule for riding an escalator that is just common sense - STAY TO THE LEFT (OR RIGHT DEPENDING ON YOUR COUNTRY). I do believe it may follow the side of the road you drive on. In Australia stay to the left on an escalator, in the U.S. the right. Japan does the left and very effectively. Follow the road rule of "Keep left unless overtaking" when on an escalator. You maybe shopping with a friend on your day off and not have a care in the world. The other person stuck behind you may be on her (or his) way to a job interview that could alter his (or her) career. They could also be an employee of the establishment on their 30min break and have to get through 7 levels of shopping centre (and back) to get their lunch.
2) Do not ride the escalator side by side with a friend - I am sure you can have the same conversation from one step lower and free up movement and congestion for the others riding the escalator. Bike riders that ride side by side on the road either get tooted with a horn, cop some road rage or run over. Expect the same from me on an escalator.
3) Unless you are on an isolated elevator with not another soul around and are under the age of 10 then the up escalator goes up and the down escalator goes down. Do not be an idiot - they are not stair masters.
4) Keep your kids under control and ensure their laces are done up when on an escalator. Do you want to see your kids foot nearly ripped off on the escalator?? NO - then make sure they are riding it safely.
5) NO STROLLERS, OR SHOPPING TROLLEYS, OR DELIVERY TROLLEYS ON AN ESCALATOR. Would you like to see your baby plummet from a stroller all the way to the hands of child services? Then use the elevator like normal patient mothers and fathers. Same goes for shopping trolleys - if you think you can take one on an escalator then I think I have the right to your shopping - one trip and your trolley will own me so equal rights are required. And delivery guys - most of these places have service elevators for your sole use to aide in your efficiency and to save you the unfortunate experience of the general public.
6) Get on and off efficiently - just walk with a general stride and put the one foot in front of the other straight onto the step of the escalator. Do the same with disembarking and move out of the way - remember - people behind you and more people in the universe than yourself.
7) It should be noted that none of these rules apply in South Africa - apparently my research lets me know that rules on an escalator in South Africa have no meaning and you are more likely to have your head punched in for requesting to get past. As the South African site says - "if you come from a city with a subway GET OVER IT." You're not in Kansas anymore!!
8) My final suggestion - if there are stairs next to the elevator - then walk them. That tiny simple method of walking the stairs next and every time will help you lose a heap of weight and as you are walking up and/ or down stairs it will tighten your butt up immensely and keep the escalator free for others.
Happy riding folks and thanks for your time! Enjoy the below video
Listen up people, there are some simple rules to follow that can make things easier for the entire population. Apparently in Japan it is common knowledge and adhered to like general road rules but in Australia we are a little more self centred with less care for our fellow Aussie unless facing a time of crisis.
1) My most important rule for riding an escalator that is just common sense - STAY TO THE LEFT (OR RIGHT DEPENDING ON YOUR COUNTRY). I do believe it may follow the side of the road you drive on. In Australia stay to the left on an escalator, in the U.S. the right. Japan does the left and very effectively. Follow the road rule of "Keep left unless overtaking" when on an escalator. You maybe shopping with a friend on your day off and not have a care in the world. The other person stuck behind you may be on her (or his) way to a job interview that could alter his (or her) career. They could also be an employee of the establishment on their 30min break and have to get through 7 levels of shopping centre (and back) to get their lunch.
2) Do not ride the escalator side by side with a friend - I am sure you can have the same conversation from one step lower and free up movement and congestion for the others riding the escalator. Bike riders that ride side by side on the road either get tooted with a horn, cop some road rage or run over. Expect the same from me on an escalator.
3) Unless you are on an isolated elevator with not another soul around and are under the age of 10 then the up escalator goes up and the down escalator goes down. Do not be an idiot - they are not stair masters.
4) Keep your kids under control and ensure their laces are done up when on an escalator. Do you want to see your kids foot nearly ripped off on the escalator?? NO - then make sure they are riding it safely.
5) NO STROLLERS, OR SHOPPING TROLLEYS, OR DELIVERY TROLLEYS ON AN ESCALATOR. Would you like to see your baby plummet from a stroller all the way to the hands of child services? Then use the elevator like normal patient mothers and fathers. Same goes for shopping trolleys - if you think you can take one on an escalator then I think I have the right to your shopping - one trip and your trolley will own me so equal rights are required. And delivery guys - most of these places have service elevators for your sole use to aide in your efficiency and to save you the unfortunate experience of the general public.
6) Get on and off efficiently - just walk with a general stride and put the one foot in front of the other straight onto the step of the escalator. Do the same with disembarking and move out of the way - remember - people behind you and more people in the universe than yourself.
7) It should be noted that none of these rules apply in South Africa - apparently my research lets me know that rules on an escalator in South Africa have no meaning and you are more likely to have your head punched in for requesting to get past. As the South African site says - "if you come from a city with a subway GET OVER IT." You're not in Kansas anymore!!
8) My final suggestion - if there are stairs next to the elevator - then walk them. That tiny simple method of walking the stairs next and every time will help you lose a heap of weight and as you are walking up and/ or down stairs it will tighten your butt up immensely and keep the escalator free for others.
Happy riding folks and thanks for your time! Enjoy the below video
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Comment by Spring-Heeled Jack
Over.Exposure
Comment by Jason King
Sydney Table
Salty Popcorn
Total Randomness
Escalators are used around the world to move pedestrian traffic in places where elevators would be impractical. Principal areas of usage include department stores, shopping malls, airports, transit systems, convention centers, hotels, and public buildings.
The benefits of escalators are many. They have the capacity to move large numbers of people, and they can be placed in the same physical space as one might install a staircase. They have no waiting interval (except during very heavy traffic), they can be used to guide people toward main exits or special exhibits, and they may be weatherproofed for outdoor use.
Thanks for the comment SHJ!!