Why do Irish People stand on escalators in such an arsed-way manner?

Compu Global Hyper Meganet

No, but I don't judge those who do

Harper Petite Fig has made solid points here. Consideration is the key word. People saying that 5/10 seconds isn't going to make a difference (while largely correct) are missing the point. It takes literally no effort to stand one inch further in, so why not do it? Does it really inconvenience you to stand in slightly? It's less about convenience for those that wish to pass and more of a symptom of ingrained selfishness in those who get a strange ego boost from preventing them doing so.

jonny666

jonny666 wrote: »

But that woman didn't know your were headin for a funeral. Your saying she was inconsiderate for leaving her bags in your way. Maybe she wasn't able to carry them all and put them down to lighten the load. Maybe she has a bad back. My point in you can't know people circumstances and expect them to be considerate to yours.

She had loads of shopping bags from London. She was getting them down one by one, while having a good ol chat with her mate like she had all the time in the world. It doesn't really matter where I was headed - that was just rude and inconsiderate. If you want to take your time getting off the plane, stand aside and let others past. That's what I do when I'm not in a hurry. It's not hard.

Alun

sportloto86 wrote: »

And what's with traffic lights at roundabouts? I think that whoever came up with this idea must have be the one who is doing all of the things listed above.

Not an Irish thing by any means. They have them in the UY and many countries in Europe too.

Muise...

No, because it's a stupid thing to do and really annoys normal people

Harper Petite Fig wrote: »

But the point is, there was no reason for me to have been late! All that woman had to do was stand aside for the 5 seconds it took me to pass. I didn't 'take' anything out on anyone, I just said 'excuse me' and then she did the old 'ah shure, what's your hurry' routine. I had waited there patiently already for over two minutes before I asked her to move and then it became clear that she knew I was waiting to pass and just didn't give a sh*t. Incredibly selfish.

The 2 hours delay almost made you late. Sorry I implied you took it out on the woman in the aisle at the time, when you're just letting off steam online!

Muise...

Muise... wrote: »

The 2 hours delay almost made you late. Sorry I implied you took it out on the woman in the aisle at the time, when you're just letting off steam online!

The 2 hour delay was unavoidable. A woman blocking the aisle was just being inconsiderate. It was totally unnecessary. Can you not see the difference?

Drexel

Harper Petite Fig wrote: »

She had loads of shopping bags from London. She was getting them down one by one, while having a good ol chat with her mate like she had all the time in the world. It doesn't really matter where I was headed - that was just rude and inconsiderate. If you want to take your time getting off the plane, stand aside and let others past. That's what I do when I'm not in a hurry. It's not hard.

I actually though it was on an escalator in the airport and not on the plane.

In that case she was perfectly entitled to get her bags out and I would have told you to hold on a second til I was finished also. If she had went back into her seat to let you past everyone else would have walked past and left her unable to get out of her seat.

Getting off a plane can be a nightmare but I treat it like a queue. You just gotta wait.

jonny666

jonny666 wrote: »

I actually though it was on an escalator in the airport and not on the plane.

In that case she was perfectly entitled to get her bags out and I would have told you to hold on a second til I was finished also. If she had went back into her seat to let you past everyone else would have walked past and left her unable to get out of her seat.

Getting off a plane can be a nightmare but I treat it like a queue. You just gotta wait.

It is like a queue, but most normal people have a sense of urgency. I grab my bag and go, as do most people. If I'm going to be there several minutes having a chat, I wait until the other passengers have passed me.

Xavi6

Legs.Eleven wrote: »

I lived in London for 2 years and I remember when I first moved there, someone poked me with an umbrella to get me to stand on the right. Nice.

But you instantly learnt the etiquette so it was good thing really.

If the escalator is wide enough then there's two "lanes", one for those in a hurry and one for those content to stand there. Everybody wins.

The fact that some people think it's perfectly ok to block people off and stop them getting where they need to be is as rude as a little "GTFO of the way" umbrella poke.

Stand to one side and there's no issue, simple really.

Drexel

Harper Petite Fig wrote: »

It is like a queue, but most normal people have a sense of urgency. I grab my bag and go, as do most people. If I'm going to be there several minutes having a chat, I wait until the other passengers have passed me.

I'm exactly like you. I'd be grab my bag and go but I've realised some people aren't like that and you have got to be patience with them!

What you should have done was have you belt unbuckled 5 minutes before anyone else and be ready to spring up get your bag and get to the front before anyone had a chance. You should see me heading out of the cinema. I'm putting my coat on as the hero is kissing the girl! Credits roll and I'm almost out the door

Legs.Eleven

Xavi6 wrote: »

But you instantly learnt the etiquette so it was good thing really.

If the escalator is wide enough then there's two "lanes", one for those in a hurry and one for those content to stand there. Everybody wins.

The fact that some people think it's perfectly ok to block people off and stop them getting where they need to be is as rude as a little "GTFO of the way" umbrella poke.

Stand to one side and there's no issue, simple really.

It was a good thing? Interesting how you downplay rudeness in one context but not another. Why?

I wasn't being rude, I was new to the city and getting used to their ways and I adapted to them fairly pronto after getting hollered at, poked and pulled. I don't think anyone thinks it's okay to block other people but I've usually found a simple "excuse me" works a charm. Getting physically manhandled is the height of rudeness. It's incomparable. Things are done differently where I'm from and it takes a bit of time to adapt and if someone comes to London and is standing on the left-hand side, it's obvious they're an outsider and unsure of the system. You can inform them in a mannerly way but that was never the case in London (and I found people there friendly overall but not in this context).


In Dublin it's a different story. It's a small city with a small population and people get from a to b just fine. The London underground can take ages to get out of as it's subterranean and millions of people commute everyday. You can't compare the two!

Rezident

No, but I don't judge those who do

So true, hilarious that Irish people still haven't figured it out - must be all those people that don't travel from that other thread

Legs.Eleven

Legs.Eleven wrote: »

It was a good thing? Interesting how you downplay rudeness in one context but not another. Why?

I wasn't being rude, I was new to the city and getting used to their ways and I adapted to them fairly pronto after getting hollered at, poked and pulled. I don't think anyone thinks it's okay to block other people but I've usually found a simple "excuse me" works a charm. Getting physically manhandled is the height of rudeness. It's incomparable. Things are done differently where I'm from and it takes a bit of time to adapt and if someone comes to London and is standing on the left-hand side, it's obvious they're an outsider and unsure of the system. You can inform them in a mannerly way but that was never the case in London (and I found people there friendly overall but not in this context).


In Dublin it's a different story. It's a small city with a small population and people get from a to b just fine. The London underground can take ages to get out of as it's subterranean and millions of people commute everyday. You can't compare the two!

I don't get this. I first went to London when I was about 16. I noticed immediately that everyone seemed to be standing on one side while people walked down the other. How can you be oblivious to that? And surely once you've been poked with an umbrella, you know not to block the entire escalator again? How does it take time to get used to?

I agree that Londoners are really rude in the Underground, but you kind of get that way when surrounded by people who seem to have no awareness of their surroundings whatsoever. I always hear tourists complaining about how 'stressful' it is. It's not stressful. You don't need to rush. But if you're taking your time, don't get in people's way. If you want to stop dead and consult your map, look behind you first. If you want to stand on the escalator and chat, stand to the right. If you want to rifle through your bag for your Oyster card, don't do it in front of the ticket barriers with 50 people waiting behind you. Then everyone is happy!

Xavi6

Legs.Eleven wrote: »

It was a good thing? Interesting how you downplay rudeness in one context but not another. Why?

It was a purposely flippant comment in the tone of those who basically say they don't care about those behind them. See how you get irritated? That's what it's like being stuck behind someone when you need to be somewhere in a hurry.

I wasn't being rude, I was new to the city and getting used to their ways and I adapted to them fairly pronto after getting hollered at, poked and pulled. I don't think anyone thinks it's okay to block other people but I've usually found a simple "excuse me" works a charm. Getting physically manhandled is the height of rudeness. It's incomparable. Things are done differently where I'm from and it takes a bit of time to adapt and if someone comes to London and is standing on the left-hand side, it's obvious they're an outsider and unsure of the system. You can inform them in a mannerly way but that was never the case in London (and I found people there friendly overall but not in this context).

I agree fwiw but that's the way of the world unfortunately. At least you only made the mistake once

In Dublin it's a different story. It's a small city with a small population and people get from a to b just fine. The London underground can take ages to get out of as it's subterranean and millions of people commute everyday. You can't compare the two!

I live in a city with same population as Dublin, where I grew up, and the etiquette is to stand on the left so London can be replaced as the example very easily if needs be.

The amount of people in a city has no relevance to basic manners and allowing people get past if they need to.

FixdePitchmark

All these people who go away and become so intolerant - it is not a great advertisement for travelling.

Dublin is know the world over for it's people - being fun and friendly. Web Summit this week - lads had a great time.

Happy about Dublin after this thread - if somebody stuck an umbrella in you back in Dublin -- it would get stuck up his hole.

Yes the irony is intended.

Xavi6

FixdePitchmark wrote: »

All these people who go away and become so intolerant - it is not a great advertisement for travelling.

Actually, I was intolerant before I went away. I'm now just somewhere that means I don't have to be when it comes to escalators

FAILSAFE 00

No, because it's a stupid thing to do and really annoys normal people

From working on a promotional stand in a shopping centre for 24 straight days in a row I can tell you about the vast amount of accidents I witnessed on escalators.

People trying to shove by causing someone to lose balance, people dropping stuff from their bags and falling when trying to retrieve it, people getting some part of their clothes caught in the escalator, tripping up, etc.

Point is its a not a safe place for people to be jogging by each other, walking by each other. Stand still, hold on to the side. The people I talked to after these accidents said they never knew how dangerous escalators are. Those few weeks really opened my eyes to the dangers of it.

It only takes a few seconds to stand still to get from A-B safely.

Legs.Eleven

It was a purposely flippant comment in the tone of those who basically say they don't care about those behind them. See how you get irritated? That's what it's like being stuck behind someone when you need to be somewhere in a hurry.

Not irritated in the slightest. I support that system in big cities and I live in a city where it happens. If I see someone who's not from here, I tap them on the shoulder and kindly ask them to move to the right as I want to get by. Simples.

I agree fwiw but that's the way of the world unfortunately. At least you only made the mistake once

2 or 3 times, actually. You'd swear I murdered their children the way they reacted. It's funny, after 2 years in London, I found myself getting irritated too. I was never in a rush but the stress and hussle and bustle of the city gets into you after a while and you get caught up in it. Never shouted or poked anyone though, just passive-aggressively grumbled to myself and clenched my teeth.

I live in a city with same population as Dublin, where I grew up, and the etiquette is to stand on the left so London can be replaced as the example very easily if needs be.

The point is, in a city like Dublin, I don't see a need for it. I like the relaxed vibe in Dublin, in fact and I miss it.

The amount of people in a city has no relevance to basic manners and allowing people get past if they need to.

It's not basic manners in Dublin though. Different etiquette wherever you go. People aren't any more rude in Dublin than anywhere else. I lived in 2 British cities before moving to London and it wasn't the etiquette there. Here in Madrid it only applies to the underground where there is a need for it. The system otherwise is to politely ask people to move aside to get by. Anyway, most of the escalators in Dublin are too narrow for a two lane system.


I support people standing on the right in bigger cities but smaller cities, it's not necessary.

LordSutch

Legs.Eleven wrote: »

Not irritated in the slightest. I support that system in big cities and I live in a city where it happens. If I see someone who's not from here, I tap them on the shoulder and kindly ask them to move to the right as I want to get by. Simples.

Glad that you're not irritated, and not glad that you felt the need to 'thank' the **** stirrer.

PS; you lived in London for thirteen years less that I did.

Legs.Eleven

LordSutch wrote: »

Glad that you're not irritated, and not glad that you felt the need to 'thank' the **** stirrer.

PS; you lived in London for thirteen years less that I did.

What are you talking about?

LordSutch

Post #82

Legs.Eleven

LordSutch wrote: »

Post #82

So? Report it if you think he's **** stirring.

LordSutch

So why do you think this is wrong? http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=87316909&postcount=57

I mean what is so wrong with this observation of mine?

looking_around

No, because it's a stupid thing to do and really annoys normal people

I stand....on the right hand side. a habit from london, everyone should follow. So we don't bother the people who are in a rush to save those 30 seconds of their lives

Legs.Eleven

LordSutch wrote: »

So why do you think this is wrong? http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=87316909&postcount=57

I think Cody and Femme Fatale already explained. It seems like one of many posts you make that take a dig at how things work in Ireland. It's gets irritating. Call it a difference of opinion. Common enough in AH. NO hard feelings otherwise.


Edit: Not sure why you're telling me you lived in London longer than me.

Amirani

No, because it's a stupid thing to do and really annoys normal people

looking_around wrote: »

I stand....on the right hand side. a habit from london, everyone should follow. So we don't bother the people who are in a rush to save those 30 seconds of their lives

That's the pragmatic and sensible approach to take. Why not just do it when it adds no inconvenience to your life whatsoever and could perhaps help someone else out? It's just being nice.

LordSutch

Legs.Eleven wrote: »

I think Cody and Femme Fatale already explained. It seems like one of many posts you make that take a dig at how things work in Ireland. It's gets irritating. Call it a difference of opinion. Common enough in AH. NO hard feelings otherwise.

If you read my post again, http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=87316909&postcount=57 its exactly the same argument as everybody else is making on here, except I haven't knocked Ireland or Irish people or even 'Catholics' as one poster put it. Cody tried hard to turn this thread into something it isnt, and you & another thanked him for it. I find this very irritating.

Back to the escalators . . .

Legs.Eleven

LordSutch wrote: »

If you read my post again, http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=87316909&postcount=57 its exactly the same argument as everybody else is making on here, except I haven't knocked Ireland or Irish people or even 'Catholics' as one poster put it. Cody tried hard to turn this thread into something it isnt, and you & another thanked him for it. I find this very irritating.

Back to the escalators . . .

AH can be an irritating place at the best of times. You wouldn't be the first to get irritated in here.


Back to the escalators...

FAILSAFE 00

No, because it's a stupid thing to do and really annoys normal people

NiallSparky wrote: »

That's the pragmatic and sensible approach to take. Why not just do it when it adds no inconvenience to your life whatsoever and could perhaps help someone else out? It's just being nice.

Its a moving stairs, and if someone trips while walking up an escalator it puts everyone at risk of an injury. I witnessed it so many times. While I think it's good to be polite, it's better to be safe. An escalator is the wrong place to be when in a rush.

Daveysil15

Can we not leave the Irish alone for one day?

Billy86

jonny666 wrote: »

I actually though it was on an escalator in the airport and not on the plane.

In that case she was perfectly entitled to get her bags out and I would have told you to hold on a second til I was finished also. If she had went back into her seat to let you past everyone else would have walked past and left her unable to get out of her seat.

Getting off a plane can be a nightmare but I treat it like a queue. You just gotta wait.

That's the thing though. Imagine you are at a queue in the bank on your lunch break from work (e.g. time constraints), second from the front, and when it comes time for the guy ahead of you to go... he just whips out his phone and starts a conversation, ignoring the fact that he is holding everyone up. Would you not feel a bit frustrated as he should get a move on since he is next up?

The bank staff would actually just wave over the person behind him is my guess, and for good reason.

---

That said, one thing I learned in Australia is that Irish people are actually not at all the worst for this - and I was really surprised to find out how much worse Asians in Sydney (but not Dublin? It's weird...) are for blocking escalators and generally moving about really, REALLY slowly, given how densely populated most of the continent is. The pace some of them walk at, it could literally take close to an hour to get from Stephen's Green to O'Connell Bridge - no joke. Trying to get somewhere in a hurry near Haymarket in Sydney can bring you to the brink of nervous bloody breakdown at times. Also, inexplicably, the polite tap on the shoulder and 'excuse me' often gets little more than an expression like you had just thrown a wet fart in their general direction. It's as if there's some sick joy they are taking out of slowing you down!! :pac:

Miss Lockhart

No, because it's a stupid thing to do and really annoys normal people

I stand on the right because it makes sense. But I don't think it's a big issue in this country because the vast majority of our escalators are short and located shopping centres and shops - not on an overcrowded mass transit system. Every day I see people politely ask anyone blocking the way to allow them pass on such escalators - no hassle, no drama, no hissy fits.

I think adopting the stand on the right system would be a good idea, but only if it doesn't give rise to self-important morons who think it acceptable to bash into those standing.

April O Neill

No, because it's a stupid thing to do and really annoys normal people

Standing to one side - fair enough.

But I don't understand some people's annoyance at people not walking up escalators. They are moving, there's no need if you're not in a rush. It's nice to get a breather sometimes, especially if you've been out and about all day.

And, as a short-legged person, I find walking up them quite difficult as escalators steps are much deeper than your average step. Anyone with mobility issues would really struggle.

Frank Lee Midere

jonny666 wrote: »

I actually though it was on an escalator in the airport and not on the plane.

In that case she was perfectly entitled to get her bags out and I would have told you to hold on a second til I was finished also. If she had went back into her seat to let you past everyone else would have walked past and left her unable to get out of her seat.

Getting off a plane can be a nightmare but I treat it like a queue. You just gotta wait.

Yeah the person in front is in front. If seated its polite to ask them if they want to go forward.

As for escalators. It annoys me too but you can't compare a floor in clerys with the underground. The longest underground escalator is 180ft.

DonkeyStyle \o/

No, because it's a stupid thing to do and really annoys normal people

I usually walk on an escalator if it's empty. But most of the escalators I've seen around the place are only wide enough for some old dear and her shopping bags. I'm not elbowing her out of the way to shave 10 seconds off an escalator ride.
And yeah, if there's no movement, I'm going to stand there with a hand on each rail and chill out for a bit.

anto3473

No, but I don't judge those who do

It really bugs the hell out of me.

It's quite simple -either walk or keep to one side.

Anyone that is ignorant enough not to allow others basic courtesy of not getting in the way... well they should be hit in the face with a shovel.

Also couples that HAVE to stand on the same step and hold hands so they can team up and obstruct the s**t out of everyone with their dopey standing around... They should be hit somewhere else with the shovel - to prevent them from breeding.

flas

i used to stand on the right and let people by on the left,now i know it annoys some weirdos so much im going to stand where i want!if your in a hurry take to stairs two steps at a time,its always quicker!

Amirani

No, because it's a stupid thing to do and really annoys normal people

flas wrote: »

i used to stand on the right and let people by on the left,now i know it annoys some weirdos so much im going to stand where i want!if your in a hurry take to stairs two steps at a time,its always quicker!

Surprised nobody has said the second part here actually. It's obviously not an option sometimes but generally If I'm ever in a hurry I'll take the stairs, it's far quicker.

Voodoomelon

Maybe we should stand to the side in transport hubs.

But ya have to be having a laugh standing to the side so you can get to the second floor of Pennys.

Daveysil15

Voodoomelon wrote: »

But ya have to be having a laugh standing to the side so you can get to the second floor of Pennys.

Quick, out of my way!! Those fecking slippers are going half price. Only two pairs left. :pac:

Rubberchikken

totally agree with last post.
same with car drivers, where are they going? they all can't be so important/late/whatever so it's general impatience/entitlement they're suffering from me thinks.

like the fact that strangers on public transport can mention weather etc and most people will just chat away.
same in shops/waiting rooms/in a queue, and noone thinks they're going to be murdered by a nutjob.

relax a bit op, you'll get past all those lazies eventually. breathe.

FixdePitchmark

Rubberchikken wrote: »

totally agree with last post.
same with car drivers, where are they going? they all can't be so important/late/whatever so it's general impatience/entitlement they're suffering from me thinks.

like the fact that strangers on public transport can mention weather etc and most people will just chat away.
same in shops/waiting rooms/in a queue, and noone thinks they're going to be murdered by a nutjob.

relax a bit op, you'll get past all those lazies eventually. breathe.

Now if we are talking the overtaking lane - that is another ball game.

They should be locked up.

WoollyRedHat

LordSutch wrote: »

Well the OP thought this thread was worth starting, and I agree with him!

Not sure its sillyness to stand on one side or the other :rolleyes:

You use the word behave as if it's some kind of insolent children you're referring to and you use the rolleyes... are you a regular practioneer of twattery old chap or is it just one of those days?

Eutow

FixdePitchmark wrote: »

All these people who go away and become so intolerant - it is not a great advertisement for travelling.

Dublin is know the world over for it's people - being fun and friendly. Web Summit this week - lads had a great time.

Happy about Dublin after this thread - if somebody stuck an umbrella in you back in Dublin -- it would get stuck up his hole.

Yes the irony is intended.

You speak about tolerance, but you are not very tolerant about people who are in a hurry. Just stand to the right and allow people to walk on the left. It is simple, it is not hard to do, it does not inconvenience you and it shows courtesy to others. People over here are just are not aware of their surroundings, and because you may not be in a hurry doesn't mean you should block other people.

And, it wouldn't just be Dublin or Ireland that would happen.

BarcodeMuncher

No, because it's a stupid thing to do and really annoys normal people

I thought there was a consensus that the stairs were for those in a rush and the escalator giving a breather of sorts

FTA69

Harper Petite Fig wrote: »

I don't get this. I first went to London when I was about 16. I noticed immediately that everyone seemed to be standing on one side while people walked down the other. How can you be oblivious to that? And surely once you've been poked with an umbrella, you know not to block the entire escalator again? How does it take time to get used to?

I agree that Londoners are really rude in the Underground, but you kind of get that way when surrounded by people who seem to have no awareness of their surroundings whatsoever. I always hear tourists complaining about how 'stressful' it is. It's not stressful. You don't need to rush. But if you're taking your time, don't get in people's way. If you want to stop dead and consult your map, look behind you first. If you want to stand on the escalator and chat, stand to the right. If you want to rifle through your bag for your Oyster card, don't do it in front of the ticket barriers with 50 people waiting behind you. Then everyone is happy!

This post should be printed and put up in every station.

MonaPizza

Moe Syzlack wrote: »

It really bugs the shit out of me

People standing left and right and all over the place meaning I have to stand too, lest I just barge straight through the crowd of stupid ignorant fucks.

I regularly pop back over to The Netherlands to see friends having lived there for a while, and in Schiphol Airport and Dutch Train Stations etc, people stand one side and walk the other and to do otherwise will peg you as a stupid fool and an idiot.

I was travelling back home via Schiphol airport and was travelling on the travelator / compaveyor / escalator etc people will stand one side and walk the other and if people are standing on the wrong side they will promptly move aside to let people from behind through, a bit like Moses parting the Red Sea. Cue, arrive back in Dublin and the shower of idiots are standing all over the escalators like a bunch of morons.

ESCALATORS / COMPAVEYORS / TRAVELATORS ARE FOR HELPING YOU MOVE ...NOR FOR JUST STANDING THERE LIKE A TOOL

Rant Over :P

Bollox, the Dutch are just as pig-ignorant regarding the "etiquette" of the escalator, queue, whatever. When the metro pulls in the fcuking clowns barge on before allowing anyone to alight. I witnessed one time two Dutch women having a conversation standing in the doorway of a supermarket...I mean standing right between the two sliding doors. Muppets. People had to go around them. I cursed them out and told them to have their stupid conversation somewhere else where they were blocking everyone. Klootzaks!

The Brits are the only ones who have the whole shebang sorted. Everyone stands to the right on the escalators in the Tube. Queues are orderly, etc.

Billy86

MonaPizza wrote: »

I witnessed one time two Dutch women having a conversation standing in the doorway of a supermarket...I mean standing right between the two sliding doors.

Aaaahhh, the old Grafton Street Special.

Well, it's not a real Grafton Street Special unless it is preceded by several outrageously sudden and sharp 270-degree turns, backing straight into whoever happens to be even remotely within your vicinity.

Paco Rodriguez

Ooooohhhh sorry OP, we're not all as busy as you..I can afford an extra 10 seconds of wasted time.

Billy86

Paco Rodriguez wrote: »

Ooooohhhh sorry OP, we're not all as busy as you..I can afford an extra 10 seconds of wasted time.

I wish I knew what you looked like and found myself in front you in a queue, just to stand there, do nothing and hold you up as much as possible when I got to the front.

You'd be cool with that though, right?

DaithiMC

I'm not sure if anyone has mentioned this in the thread yet, but it has a fundamental bearing on the international levels if ignorance or not. OP have you noticed in the Underground that there are signs instructing people to 'Stand on the Right'? Its not etiquette, its direction. People, if directed, will generally fall in line, its not that we, on this island are a different species, check out how many escalators here have such direction.