Stunad of the Stairwell

[Peloso]

Here is something I see way too often:

I'm on a stairwell in a public place. Ahead, on the right is, for example, an elderly woman moving very slowly. Next to her, some kid staring at his phone, moving at exactly the same pace. The left side of the stairwell is clear.

The person directly in front of me shares my frustration, or so I think. They quickly move toward the left of the stairwell, but instead of taking advantage of the free space, they move at exactly the same pace, forming a kind of gauntlet. I can't get past. I'm stuck. Forced to amble on s l o w l y with the rest of the walking dead. I admit it: I'm one of those high strung, impatient types who moves quickly and efficiently whenever possible. Life is short, and seconds add up. But I'm not an asshole about it.

Another thing I've noticed occasionally is some moron trying to navigate their way against the traffic on a stairway when it's very crowded, completely oblivious to the fact that if they just moved to their right, they wouldn't have to literally fight with everyone else.

And then there's escalators. I know, they're fun. Whee! I'm moving up! But you know what's even more fun? Walking up an escalator. But no, not in America. Invariably, there's always some meatbag who plants themselves squarely on the center of a moving escalator, and then there's the pièce de résistance of escalator lunacy: two generously thighed women riding up an escalator talking about how they need to exercise more but just can't find the time. I kid you not. This happened once.

So here's my question: In parts of the world that are not America, do people keep to one side on stairwells and passageways?

And here's what I really want to know: In European countries, do people generally keep to the right when standing on escalators so that those with a purpose can walk up on the left? I've heard this is true.

 

[rareboy]

So here's my question: In parts of the world that are not America, do people keep to one side on stairwells and passageways?

And here's what I really want to know: In European countries, do people generally keep to the right when standing on escalators so that those with a purpose can walk up on the left? I've heard this is true.

Nope.

Not always.

Patience is a virtue.

Possess it where you can...

Tis seldom found in women...

And never in a man.

 

[Cormac135]

Here is something I see way too often:

I'm on a stairwell in a public place. Ahead, on the right is, for example, an elderly woman moving very slowly. Next to her, some kid staring at his phone, moving at exactly the same pace. The left side of the stairwell is clear.

The person directly in front of me shares my frustration, or so I think. They quickly move toward the left of the stairwell, but instead of taking advantage of the free space, they move at exactly the same pace, forming a kind of gauntlet. I can't get past. I'm stuck. Forced to amble on s l o w l y with the rest of the walking dead. I admit it: I'm one of those high strung, impatient types who moves quickly and efficiently whenever possible. Life is short, and seconds add up. But I'm not an asshole about it.

Another thing I've noticed occasionally is some moron trying to navigate their way against the traffic on a stairway when it's very crowded, completely oblivious to the fact that if they just moved to their right, they wouldn't have to literally fight with everyone else.

And then there's escalators. I know, they're fun. Whee! I'm moving up! But you know what's even more fun? Walking up an escalator. But no, not in America. Invariably, there's always some meatbag who plants themselves squarely on the center of a moving escalator, and then there's the pièce de résistance of escalator lunacy: two generously thighed women riding up an escalator talking about how they need to exercise more but just can't find the time. I kid you not. This happened once.

So here's my question: In parts of the world that are not America, do people keep to one side on stairwells and passageways?

And here's what I really want to know: In European countries, do people generally keep to the right when standing on escalators so that those with a purpose can walk up on the left? I've heard this is true.

I read all that.

 

[guyfromNY]

My biggest irritation is in the supermarket when people are oblivious and just stand in the middle of the aisle with their wagon and I'm forced to say "excuse me"..

 

[Vannie]

I just start yelling...

"Outa my way people!" "It's stuffed cabbage night!"

 

[Alistair]

It’s the same way in mall. You should be walking down the right side of the mall. If you’re walking on the left side you’re going against the flow of traffic. It’s always annoyed me.

- - - Updated - - -

I just start yelling...

"Outa my way people!" "It's stuffed cabbage night!"

You must have greased your walker wheels.

 

[smokeshadow]

As someone who goes up & down stairs 2 or 3 risers at a time, I feel your pain And, escalators are always a pain because, as you said, people just stand there like a statue, failing to realize that they are on a moving stair Of course, what confuses people even more, is when I sprint down an up escalator or up a down escalator

 

[Peloso]

Patience is a virtue.

Possess it where you can...

Tis seldom found in women...

And never in a man.

So is courtesy.

Don't I get points for not punching anyone in the back of the neck?

 

[pigface]

Carry a potted cactus. Stick it into their bum (bum = arse).

 

[Peloso]

^ An especially ornery serpent would work, too.

 

[unloadonme]

And here's what I really want to know: In European countries, do people generally keep to the right when standing on escalators so that those with a purpose can walk up on the left? I've heard this is true.

It is true.

 

[ShadowCat]

I hate when some shit head is dodding in front of me! I turn into Ludacris: MOVE BITCH! There are times for strolling and times for moving! I went shopping today with the rents now y'all know I broke my foot so i'm staying off it I get a powered cart at Sams Club so I'm not walking on it. Well you'd think these people see a guy in a huge walking boot in a cart think they'd politely give me the right of way?! No Had to go completely out of my way in the damn cart move over and end up knocking some boxes of fruit snacks because another dick couldn't get off his phone and I had to move over as far as I could. Further more some of these people have to take the whole fucking family with them! You got mom dad their 4 kids grandma and grandpa plus an uncle an aunt and three second cousins and their service armadillo! Like seriously I want to grocery shop not see a fucking parade!