Can we talk about standing on the left side of the escalator?

I used to stand on whatever side felt crowded. Didn't think about it. Then last week at Grand Central Terminal, this guy tapped my shoulder and said "left side is for walking, ma'am." I felt like an idiot. All these years I've been blocking people in a rush. Now I stick to the right like everyone else. Do people actually learn this rule or is it one of those things you just pick up after enough dirty looks?

3 comments

3 Comments

wade_perez4d ago

@paul_owens25 is out here preaching the gospel, but honestly, the silent escalator jury is way more intimidating than someone saying "excuse me." Might just start tap dancing to assert my right to stand wherever I want.

robert_smith361mo ago

Big same. I had a guy in the DC metro literally huff at me before I realized I was standing on the wrong side. Learned it fast after that. Now I'm the one quietly judging people who stand wherever they want.

paul_owens251mo ago

I see it a little differently. The escalator rules work fine when everyone knows them, but that huffing and passive aggression just makes the whole experience worse for everyone. If someone's standing on the wrong side, a quick "excuse me" works just as well and doesn't turn the metro into a contest of who follows etiquette best. I've seen people treat escalator standing like it's a major crime, getting angry over a few seconds of delay. Frankly, the system could use some clear signs or even a redesign instead of letting folks silently judge each other. A little patience goes a long way on public transit.