Thursday, May 28, 2009
Pure Madness
It goes up and it goes down. Sometimes it is working other times it is not. If you walk in the opposite direction it is going you might struggle a bit getting to where you need to go. It has an industrial feel with many little ridges on the steps. Don’t get caught standing on the wrong side because that side is usually for the walkers. The right side is the side to relax and give your legs a rest after a long day of walking. If you haven’t already guessed it, I’m talking about an escalator. The escalators in Munich are the exact same anywhere else, such as the States but different rules apply. If you stand on the left side you may be subjected to a bump or a few swift words. The left side is reserved for those who are running late or need a little exercise. The right side is designed for the stander which usually is formed in a single file. However, having such a big group we tend to forget these simple rules and take up any and every step possible. I have learned to be more cautious of others because they have lived in this specific escalator culture. Everything seems to be on point in this city, along with Germany, when dealing with deadlines and organization. People follow these simple rules to make their lives easier and I’m sure us Americans are nothing but distractions to their strictly routine days. So next time you hop on an escalator remember these few rules to avoid an unnecessary confrontation.
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I noticed this escalator quirk too. I was surprised that I didn't see this in Berlin, which is more cosmopolitan. But as Brett mentioned, subway commuters in Munich either step onto the escalator in a neat single file on the right, or walk up on the left.
I had seen it once before in Tokyo, Japan, so I wasn't very surprised. An interesting difference though, is that the Japanese stand on the left and "over-take" on the right of the escalator, just as they do on the road. So it makes sense that Germans use escalators in a way similar to the way they drive on the street.
I think it's a very efficient system. People who don't have to hurry can take their time to ride up the escalator. Others who're in a hurry can dash up the escalator to their next appointment or to catch their next train. It seems to make people more considerate of others' schedules.
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