Random question...escalators on London underground!

[merryone]

Is it just me (I get the feeling it is btw) but I cannot board an escalator on the London underground either going up or going down on the right hand side as one is supposed to, and I don't know why. I naturally want to board on the left hand side, feels safer for me then shuffle across to the right so people can dash past as they do. I'm right handed and tend to carry my bags in my right hand, but that's not it, even when I'm empty handed I still cannot get on the escalator on the right hand side! I've tried doing it the "correct" way - but I just can't do it, it feels as though I'm gonna fall, board from the left side and it feels fine. Isn't much of an issue on escalators in shopping centres as they're a lot shorter and don't have this keep to the right rule, I don't even think about it , I board and get off at the top or the bottom...But the London underground...No. Oh say's I'm weird as there is no reason why boarding on the right should make me feel as though I'm going to lose my balance - It's just me isn't it?

 

[donna255]

I know a few people who are totally frightened of all escalators, have to go up and down in the lift. The idea of stepping on one fills them with terror.

It's years since I was in London and cannot remember which side I stepped on the underground? But normal ones in stores having a think seems it is the left side. No idea why though? Oh, and if they are empty I just walk up and down on them.

 

[Sazza]

I always use right side, am right handed and feel safer holding on with right hand when I step on.

 

[pyjama princess]

Like you Merryone I always step on to the left and hold on with my left hand. In South Wales I don't come across this 'stand on the right' thing so it's not a problem. If I had to I could stand on the right but after stepping on from the left.

 

[Twilight]

Left, right or standing on your head, I really don't like escalators & the stories about people getting trapped in them & being slowly eaten alive are terrifying.

 

[merryone]

Like you Merryone I always step on to the left and hold on with my left hand. In South Wales I don't come across this 'stand on the right' thing so it's not a problem. If I had to I could stand on the right but after stepping on from the left.

So glad to hear that I'm not the only one! They don't scare me, as long as I don't have to board on the right hand side!

 

[Mommabear]

I'd never thought of it but now you ask, I go to London a couple of times a year and I automatically go to the right hand side........and I am right handed. The left side would feel strange to me lol

 

[merryone]

I'm right handed too, so I don't know why I have this problem, which wouldn't be a problem if there wasn't this "keep to the right rule"...But like I say I shuffle across,so people can get past!