Escalators

[Susan123]

Why do most people on escalators think it's ok to stand right in the middle and block the way for anyone else trying to get past them? Then they give you a dirty look because you say "excuse me please" to try and move quickly. argh. Has anyone got any examples of what I can say to them - apart from things like, if you moved a bit more you wouldn't be so fat  you heifer..double argh. Sorry,  that's not fair on the heifer... ok rant over now.

[valsuey]

I know what you mean but then again I hate people who get on escalators and then proceed to run up them at full speed.Might as well run up the stairs!

[Quizmonster]

I wonder how many seconds you actually save, Susan, by walking/running up an escalator. Maybe the people standing still are just allowing the escalator to "take the strain", which is what it was designed for.

[SteveD]

A few thoughts:

Some escalators seem frustratingly slow.

Walking up or down does provide a little exercise (which is always a good idea).

Getting past a group of other people can sometimes be useful.

Often, the hand-rail moves at a different rate from the steps (and many of the people will fall over because they are too stupid to let go).

[hannahjo]

Yeah it is annoying susan123, but I think its one of tose things that�s better not to get worked up about� (just snigger to yourself at heir fat bums!)

Quizmonster � I like to walk up the escalator A. because I�m inpatient! And B. because I see it as an opportunity for a bit of extra free exercise. Stair walking is incredibly good for you y�know! All these things that are designed to �take the strain� and make life more convenient are some of the contributing factors as to why we are turning into a fat nation! So good on anyone who walks up the escalator I say!

[Quizmonster]

Well, if stair-walking is so good for you, perhaps you should take the stairs! (Yes, I am aware that there aren't always stairs as an alternative, but, if they are present, you really shouldn't - for your own health's sake - even be on the escalator.)

[hannahjo]

But, quizmonster, the stairs on an escalator are much deeper and so they work your muscles more. Plus going back to the impatient thing, what with the escalator moving and you walking, you get to the top much quicker!

[Octavius]

So you walk up the escalator because you are impatient and because in your impatience people get in your way, and it's their fault?

And there was me thinking a healthy body lead to a healthy mind.  Perhaps rather than get escalator-rage you should take it easy and chill by just standing still, or walk slowly up the stairs instead.  Far healthier.

[hannahjo]

Hey you talking to me or Susan123, octavius?!

[Octavius]

Which of you inflicts impatient escalator rage on our fat nation?

[hannahjo]

Can't be me then, as I don't let bother me!

[joko]

it is pretty standard that you 'keep to the left'.

lots of places have signs stating this, but not all. they should print it on the steps themselves, as well as have signs. I hate it when I am in a rush and there is a group of people having a chat blocking the way, or people are standing in a zigzag formation, and who then stop dead at the top or bottom, and stand there looking around them vacantly unaware of the people bunching up behind them

[hannahjo]

well said joko!

[Octavius]

Ah, you see, on escalators here you are meant to stand to the right, and they do have signs - must be you then joko 

[Susan123]

My point is/was that if you get on the escalator, then stay to one side so that others can go past if they want to! Sometimes there are no stairs so there is no choice.  Sometimes, Quizmonster, I do let the escalator take the strain, and yes Hannahjo, I don't get worked up about it - or at least not when I am not in a hurry!! Octavius - I do stand to the side if I am tired/fed up/trying to see what is on that floor if I am in a large shop - the whole point is to stand on the side and not block the way for others!! That's the point I was trying to make....

[Susan123]

Oh you gotta larf!!

[Quizmonster]

I couldn't resist doing the sums, so the following is offered with a sense of fun rather than as an argument...
The longest escalator on London Underground is some 60 metres in length and the average escalator speed is 43.2 metres per minute. So - if my arithmetic is still up to it - that trip should take about 1 minute 23 seconds.
The Athens Olympics 100 metre Gold Medal was won with a speed of 9.79 seconds, so 60 metres can be covered in 6 seconds, say. (By the world champion!)
Given that I don't suppose anyone on AnswerBank actually is the world champion and that escalators involve upward or downward motion - each probably more demanding than level pegging, it might just be possible for a mere mortal runner to traverse that escalator in the 23 seconds mentioned earlier.
Thus, the most time one could save on the longest escalator on the Undergound is 1 minute. Unless that's the difference between missing and catching a mainline train, what's the point in hurrying? Slow down and take the exercise you need when you've got time to devote to it, I'd say.

[hannahjo]

Phew! Who would have thought that escalators would earn such a debate!!!

I�m with susan on this one. It�s not too much to ask for people to have a bit of courtesy and stand to one side!

I take exercise when I have time to devote to it, AND also when I can grab any extras like escalator walking. It might seem like hardly anything but all the little extras add up! Maybe this is one I�m one of the few people in my peer group who has a happy & healthy body?!

[Pootle]

I always walk up, why would I want to have my face at bum height to the person in front of me (of course, there are rare times when I use them for that very reason, tut tut) And what about the travelators? Talk about waste of money; virtually everybody, fat or not walks along them, get rid of them. Shut down escalators one day a week, make people walk.

[nicola_red]

Couple of things:

1. In London it seems to be accepted that you stand to the left.  But seemingly not in the North.  When visiting London with a friend who'd never used the tube before I had to explain it to him.

2. I can't really walk up the escalator as I don't have full use of my knee.  I can do stairs, but pretty slowly which makes it pointless to walk up the escalator - may as well let it take the strain, as others have suggested.  Because i'm not obviously disabled to look at or elderly, people will stand behind me on them and huff and puff trying to hint at me to start walking so they can walk too.  I say to everyone, have a little patience - there may be a very good reason why someone isn't walking up.

[joko]

Oops! of course I meant to say 'right' not left.

Just checked the little L & R my mum wrote in my shoes to confirm ; )