Crowd and walkway etiquette

[bluedolphin32]

Play chicken right back at them like I do. Either standard still or continue to walk in the opposite direction. A strategically placed elbow or two makes them back down.

Once at the Animal Kingdom I was sitting on a bench when a group of 5 or 6 college aged young women were walking arm in arm across the path. They were shouting ”coming through” or similar and most others scattered out of their way. But one older solidly built woman stood her ground and refused to move. One girl crashed into her and fell like a ton of bricks. The others complaned and were yelling at the woman but she just gave a snarky response and walked away. I laughed.

One of the group tried to involve me but I said ”Sorry, sweetie, your friend got what she deserved.”

Ok, I wish I had seen that. It's pretty hilarious. Sadly, taking up the entire walkway is sometimes an attempt at a power move to make the person/people feel important. "Get out of my way, here I come." It is sad that they don't already know they are a unique, important, loved person before they feel the need to make a move like this.

I think the problem with escalators and moving walkways is that many people have no idea that others walk on them. The majority of people I see believe that you stand still and ride it, so they are completely oblivious that others may want to pass. I have even witnessed these same people who are convinced that their method is correct and will purposely try to block anyone from walking because they believe the walkers are being rude.


But you do have to make those social conventions and expectations known for people to be able to follow them. Ideally, parents would instruct their children about what behavior is appropriate and considerate to others. Unfortunately, many make it to adulthood without realizing, so sometimes it takes getting called out or even some public shaming for people to learn that their behavior is not acceptable.

Also unfortunately, there are neglectful parents with their noses in their phones all the time, who hand their kids a phone to put their nose in so the kids won't interupt their parents' phone time. Really sad. No wonder they don't know how to behave - they are being raised by the internet.

 

[focusondisney]

Don't forget escalators! Stand right, walk left! We have signs on some escalators where I live, but people don't seem to understand the concept. Especially annoying during rush hours.

I think this is pretty regional. In our area nobody walks or climbs the escalator stairs. Everyone just stands in place & gets off at the end. So I never knew this was a thing. Luckily when researching for a Washington DC trip I read about the stand on the right so others can pass you. So we didn’t get in anyone’s way. But at home, I don’t worry about it at all.

 

[sasywtch]

There are a lot of times I miss shopping at the commissary on base. I hate going grocery shopping when carts are blocking both sides of the aisle where you can't get through. At the commissary, it was the same rules of the road and at the meat aisle, everyone left their carts in the middle and walked up to the meat without cart to make their selection. (and yes, we took our purses). Right now I am dealing with elevators and people who get off before me and just stand in the way instead of moving out of the way.

 

[Timandalicia]

No "implementation" necessary. Etiquette is a matter of social convention and expectations that make life more comfortable for everyone. Kindness and consideration are key.

We should behave better and teach our children better.

A hundred years ago, we would have been kicked off the social register for using the wrong fork to eat fish. Today, we struggle with RSVPs to invitations and Thank You notes for gifts.

Well then not implementation. Change that to expectation if you will. We can’t set expectation nor “should” anything into occurring. I’m not saying it is wrong to prefer it. I prefer it as well.

We all seem to get through the narrow corridor between Peter Pan and Small World one way or another. Crowd control is beyond our control. So we can either pop out into Liberty Square frustrated or without a care in the world. And that part is within our control (I am a psychologist and suffer from claustrophobia, so I’ve taught myself to think that way).

But I’m sure it doesn’t bother you to a clinical level, and sometimes the way we deal with these things is to express our preferences and feel support. And you certainly are getting that on this thread, so that’s great.

 

[Kathryn Merteuil]

I wish somebody would send this list as a memo to my MIL. Not that I dislike her or anything, but she REALLY needs to learn some of this stuff. She really needs to read the memo about the random stopping. Anytime we go anywhere with her, she will just randomly stop. I thought she was going to kill us both by just randomly stopping on stairs once. She also needs to learn do NOT stand in doorways, please... enter/exit. She will do this in the house. It drives me nuts.

 

[Mysterian]

I wish somebody would send this list as a memo to my MIL. Not that I dislike her or anything, but she REALLY needs to learn some of this stuff. She really needs to read the memo about the random stopping. Anytime we go anywhere with her, she will just randomly stop. I thought she was going to kill us both by just randomly stopping on stairs once. She also needs to learn do NOT stand in doorways, please... enter/exit. She will do this in the house. It drives me nuts.

What's her email address?

 

[tzolkin]

I think this is pretty regional. In our area nobody walks or climbs the escalator stairs. Everyone just stands in place & gets off at the end. So I never knew this was a thing. Luckily when researching for a Washington DC trip I read about the stand on the right so others can pass you. So we didn’t get in anyone’s way. But at home, I don’t worry about it at all.

I bet there are likely many people where you live who would prefer to walk up the escalator, but they can't because there are so many people just riding it. I am always annoyed, but I stand in place on escalators 95% of the time because there seem to always be people in front of me who have settled in for the ride. I'm not going to try to pass anyone or ask them to move because I'm never in that big of a rush. If the place is not busy (meaning there's a large gap on the escalator), we will walk part of the way and then just stop and ride the rest of the way when we encounter people who are standing/not moving.

 

[Moliphino]

I bet there are likely many people where you live who would prefer to walk up the escalator, but they can't because there are so many people just riding it. I am always annoyed, but I stand in place on escalators 95% of the time because there seem to always be people in front of me who have settled in for the ride. I'm not going to try to pass anyone or ask them to move because I'm never in that big of a rush. If the place is not busy (meaning there's a large gap on the escalator), we will walk part of the way and then just stop and ride the rest of the way when we encounter people who are standing/not moving.

I think it depends on the place. People in the mall aren't usually in a hurry and I rarely see people walking up the escalators. In an airport or train station I see it a lot more.

 

[focusondisney]

I think it depends on the place. People in the mall aren't usually in a hurry and I rarely see people walking up the escalators. In an airport or train station I see it a lot more.

Agree. There are no normal day to day trains in my area. The major train station is at ground level, so no escalators. Our subway is only about 2 miles in the city & not well utilized, except for events at the downtown arena. The arena has escalators, but they’re not wide enough for 2 abreast anyway. Our airport is pretty small, 1 escalator & 2 people mover belts with big hallways next to them. Anyone who wants to walk doesn’t even get on them. Only 1 of our malls has escalators. People wanting to pass on them isn’t a big problem. But what do I know about my area. I’ve only lived here all my 60+ years.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

I think this is pretty regional. In our area nobody walks or climbs the escalator stairs. Everyone just stands in place & gets off at the end. So I never knew this was a thing. Luckily when researching for a Washington DC trip I read about the stand on the right so others can pass you. So we didn’t get in anyone’s way. But at home, I don’t worry about it at all.

DC and NYC (actually most was Penn Station in NJ heading into NYC) are pretty much the only places where we learned very quickly to stand to the right and let people come up on your left. Haven't really experienced it elsewhere to the same degree.

Moving walkways are another one this goes for just in general. So at the airport or at Universal, etc. If you want to stand you go to the right and allow people to pass you on the left. I'm less forgiving TBH on moving walkways when there's signage as well as a clear line dine the middle trying to keep people separate (walkers vs standing) other stuff is just cultural learning on the go so giving some grace there is much needed.

But an escalator in a mall? Nope. Or an escalator in a rental car facility? Haven't experience people moving to the right, etc.

I think I'd go with situational in combo with certain regions.

 

[LSUmiss]

I think this is pretty regional. In our area nobody walks or climbs the escalator stairs. Everyone just stands in place & gets off at the end. So I never knew this was a thing. Luckily when researching for a Washington DC trip I read about the stand on the right so others can pass you. So we didn’t get in anyone’s way. But at home, I don’t worry about it at all.

Me either. I would actually think it were rude if someone walked passed me. I would think “ok calm down. Where is the fire?” and most escalators have stairs next to them so then take the stairs if you (collective) wish to be on stairs.

 

[kymom99]

In my experience escalators are too narrow to pass anyone generally. Also, some people aren’t real steady in their feet and the movement of the escalator can make it hard to walk at the same time.

 

[Orion Nebula]

The entire straight stopping in the pathway thing is absolutely the worst. And seems to be extremely common... I swear though WDW seems to attract the most entitled rude people on the planet.

Not sure if it's been said (prob has) but I get so frustrated when people are in the front row of parades, and just can't help putting their kids on their shoulders. I mean SERIOUSLY!? Every time I finally find a decent view it happens. I am usually stressed as it is dealing with obnoxious people, not to mention my sore ankles from the scooter people.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

In my experience escalators are too narrow to pass anyone generally. Also, some people aren’t real steady in their feet and the movement of the escalator can make it hard to walk at the same time.

Yeah most are fairly narrow but in some places like the Penn Station I mentioned it was probably wide enough for 1 1/2 people, that did not stop the cultural norm there which is to squeeze on the right allow those to pass on the left. You were either a tourist or physically unable to if you stood on the right TBH at least observationally that's how it looked.

 

[tzolkin]

People wanting to pass on them isn’t a big problem. But what do I know about my area. I’ve only lived here all my 60+ years.

There's really no reason to be rude about it and include an eyeroll. All I said was that there may be people who would like to walk on the escalators, but that they can't because the majority of people are standing still. How does that contradict you knowing about your area?

The result is still the same as what you observe (that everyone just stands still on the escalators), but that doesn't mean that everyone is in agreement that is the correct or best thing to do. If 50% of people prefer to walk up an escalator and 50% prefer to ride, you're going to wind up with everyone riding because the stationary riders are preventing the walkers from moving.

I would actually think it were rude if someone walked passed me. I would think “ok calm down. Where is the fire?” a

And, this is exactly why I have never walked past anyone on a regular escalator (like at the mall or small airport). I'm not in that big of a rush and the stationary person would think I was rude. Would I prefer to walk up the escalator? Absolutely. But, I don't think my personal preference to walk outweighs their personal preference to stand still and ride. So instead of causing an unnecessary confrontation, I just wait.

Moving sidewalks are more annoying to me than escalators. The purpose of them is to enable you to walk more quickly (that's why they put them in airports). So, in my opinion, people standing on them blocking anyone from walking past are the ones being rude. It's the same as blocking a sidewalk when busy people are trying to get to where they are going. Of course, there are people who are elderly or have mobility issues who may use them for a rest from walking. But, they have to realize that others will want to walk so they should leave room and allow others to pass. I have seen people purposely block the way to not allow anyone to pass because they believe that walking on a moving sidewalk is like trying to cut in line. Instead, they are just preventing the moving sidewalk from being used for the purpose it was designed.

 

[5kidsmommy]

My kids learned from an early age that not everyone could walk next to me. With a large family I insisted on walkway etiquette. Our amusement park trips always floored them because they never understood why we walked in a line and others walked across taking up the entire walkway. Yeah it's rude but people are oblivious, it's everywhere unfortunately.

 

[Robber Baron]

There's nothing you can do about walkway etiquette.

The only solution is to practice Defensive Walking.

 

[_19disnA]

I think it depends on the place. People in the mall aren't usually in a hurry and I rarely see people walking up the escalators. In an airport or train station I see it a lot more.

I agree. Those hoizontal escalators (i.e. walkways) at airports usually have signs that say stay to the right and pass on the left. I don't have any issue with someone who needs to pass on the left. Their connecting flight might have been delayed and not anything they have control over. If I have lots of time between flights I will stand to the right since I don't need to race to the next gate only to sit there longer.

 

[Imzadi]

*Don't walk more than 4 abreast and if four abreast takes up more than half the available pathway, walk two abreast.
*if you know you walk slower than most due to physical issues, walking with a child, pushing a stroller or just have your nose in a phone, stay on the far right of the path so regular-speed walkers can pass.
*If you feel the need to suddenly stop - child crying, phone ringing, shoe untied, discussion about where you are going - get to the far right and if possible behind an obstruction - a sign or corner that others have to go around anyway. Don't be another obstacle.

OMG! You don't know how many times I have wanted to create a post about this in regards to the sidewalks in NYC, especially the touristy areas.

I live near Times Square, but I'm rarely in Times Square, as it's so hard to get past all the tourists standing in all the walkways.

The operative part of the word in sidewalk is WALK.

Walk. WALK!

It's not a sidestand. As in stand in place, milling about, like one is still standing in a corn field or wheat field. (I'm not talking about the pedestrian areas where one can stand in place. I'm talking about actual sideWALKS.)

The difference for the suggestions above by the OP is most sidewalks in NYC can barely have 4 people walk abreast. When one IS actually walking, walk 2 abreast. Sidewalks have traffic going in BOTH directions and EACH side needs space to walk.

Some places have only room for one person in each direction. So, that means walking in SINGLE FILE. And if one is doing a slow zombie walk, because one normally doesn't have any place to get to in life, leave a lane so others walking from behind can get past. YES! to don't be an obstacle.

And if a resident from NYC is rude to you on the sidewalks of NYC, consider that maybe we are frustrated and angry at you STANDING, BLOCKING THE WAY while we NEED to get by you. WE have places to go.

There are probably of hundreds of these types of examples. In general terms, it seems like people who are in any public place need to be more aware of those around them. Far too many seem self-absorbed, act like they are the only ones on the planet, have their noise in their phone or always seem distracted. The unfortunate thing is those types of people never realize they are causing issues and would never read any of these recommendations.

Yes, unfortunately, these people are oblivious that people are trying to get around them. Or they just have a zombie stare on their faces too, wondering why people are upset with them.

I suppose the one good thing is, if there ever is a zombie apocalypse, these people will get eaten first. And those of us who've had to dodge around the slow zombie walkers have experience getting around them.

 

[Imzadi]

Don't forget escalators! Stand right, walk left! We have signs on some escalators where I live, but people don't seem to understand the concept. Especially annoying during rush hours.

Yes, this is the general rule in NYC too. Although we don't have signs up. But, if 3 people have had to walk around one, on their right and then squeeze back over to the left once past them, you'd think they'd get a clue. But, nope, some never do.

Also on escalators. Move out of the way when your ride is finished. Don’t just stand there at the top or bottom when people are right behind you. We had to yell at one absent minded couple to MOVE!!! or else crash into them.

Same for revolving doors. One woman stopped right after she got out of the door. I had to yell for her to, "Keep MOVING! Get out of the way!" so I could step forward and not have the still quickly moving door slam into my side and possibly break my arm if it got caught against the door and the jamb. She thought I was the one being rude. Now I know to be ready that they might stop there.