Why do UK people stand on the right on escalators?
UK uses left-hand traffic. Traffic flows on the left side, people walk on the left. Is there any reason to stand on the right while using escalators?
Best Answer
I moved to the UK for 4ish years back in 2007. In advance, I read the Wikitravel and Wikipedia articles to prepare a bit, and in one of them it mentioned that you stand on the right, and walk on the left. And I laughed and thought - 'no way would people actually follow that'.
Then I got to London, got my first barge done quickly when I was standing on the wrong side. I was amazed - could people really get upset about it?
Soon enough, and sure enough, it was me getting annoyed when I come across someone on the wrong side, and I'll admit to a bit of barging occasionally too. It's funny how quickly you adjust.
Now, as to the why? I also wondered at first - if you drive on the left, why not walk on the left?
And then it hit me, that's exactly what you're doing. Escalators, remember, aren't meant to substitute for walking, but to help. And you walk on the left, up the escalator. It's when you're NOT walking, that you stand on the right.
And that was how I rationalised it. After that, it worked fine in my head.
Now that a system is in place, as you mentioned it needs to make sense to others. Australia, for example has the reverse. And thus all the signs you'll see all over the tube - 'keep to the right', 'walk on the left' and so on.
And so society continues on.
Pictures about "Why do UK people stand on the right on escalators?"
What side should you stand on an escalator UK?
By 1911, the escalator was an integral part of the London subway system. And with it came proper escalator etiquette. Stand on the right, walk on the left. This familiar rule allows folks who'd prefer to let the machinery do all the work relax to one side while those in a hurry squeeze by on the left.Why must you stand on the right on the escalators in the tube?
Those who wanted to stand on the escalator were asked to take to the right so people walking down could take advantage of the wider side of the panels as they stepped off. This legendary London custom, it turns out, was a simple way to stop people having a nasty fall.What is the correct etiquette when on an escalator?
Escalator Etiquette When getting on an escalator, follow a rule of gravitating towards the left. One should stand on the left and any person who is confused about the notion of an escalator and thinks that they are normal stairs or is just in a hurry to go up can walk on the right and overtake the people standing.Are you supposed to stand on an escalator?
But the experts are united in this: You're doing it wrong, seizing an advantage at the expense and safety of other commuters. Boarding an escalator two by two and standing side by side is the better approach. It may sound counterintuitive, but researchers said it is more efficient if nobody walks on the escalator.In the UK, stand on the right side of the escalators if you are not moving (France sub)
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Answer 2
Psychologically for right handed human beings it's a big thing to allow someone to stand on their right. Multiple researches have shown, that usually it is the person with superiority, that is allowed to stand on the right on the lesser "qualified" one. On the old continent, superiority is a big thing (especially in countries with long history such as the UK). This is why in most western civilizations you'll notice people protecting their right side and allowing more traffic on the left.
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