10 Passengers we love to hate: Day 1 -- The Escalator Obstacle {Gadling}

Jun 8th 2009 7:18PM I can see your point in places where it's marked with a sign.... For us morons who've never heard of such a thing, mayhaps they should be in neon. Flashing neon so that there's no excuse for us not to see them... While you're at it, why not broadcast it on a PSA (public service announcement for my fellow inept brethren) in every language that could possibly be spoken at the area you're at, but please don't forget to add the fantasy and Sci-Fi-based languages such as J.R.R. Tolkien's elvish, Klingon, and whatever it was the pseudo-Egyptian people from Star Gate spoke...

But then perhaps it would be more fitting for people like you, who're so busy that every five seconds you have a heart attack if you're not ten paces from where you were to take the stairs? Because I have to say, though I've never seen signs such as those (albeit I've only traveled the US, Canada and Mexico), I have been jostled by rude self-centered people who think that everyone should get out of their way...

Since cracking several vertebrae in my spine during an accident, and refusing to be bound in a wheelchair or by a walker or cane, I've been jostled, pushed, rammed into the sides of escalators (and even the isles of stores) all because people are so hurried, and, I've started taking notice at how the rudest people are those who--much like the author--think the world should get out of their way whey they happen to get on an escalator. (If there's a deity out there that is just, please don't ever let the author have a driver's license.)

Relax, take in the wall tiles, and take a Valium and for the love of *insert buffet item here*, don't assume someone knows about the escalator rule because you do. A simple tap on the shoulder, saying "excuse me" if you're in that much of a hurry is all you should need to be on your way. Because heaven forbid we other inhabitants of this planet prevent that...

The world does not revolve around you or your schedule. (Except in those duly designated areas where neon signs are flashing....) And your phrase for the day is "control freak". As in stop trying to be one.