Why? Escalators go only one way anyway.

Just to clarify for classicsat: Escalators are (usually) wide enough for two people to stand on the same step, side by side. Regardless of which direction the escalator is moving - up or down -, people should stand on the right side of the step leaving the left side free for people to walk.

Take the stairs then.

Take the stairs? Many shopping centres and subways don't give you that choice.

people should keep to one side of the escalators for so many reasons. i just wanted to tell th ignorant person who said to "take the stairs", guess what, escalators are stairs! not all of us are lazy cattle.

Ok, how is it ignorant to say "take the stairs"? People shouldn't be walking up the frickin' escalator anyway.... that's what STAIRS are for... and don't give me that crap that malls don't have stairs... I have yet to see a mall OR a subway without stairs...

Maybe it's just that your fat behind makes a beeline for the escalators that you don't even notice the stairs.

The only person standing next to me on an escalator better be related to me or a friend or something...

Ever hear of "personal space"?

HONESTLY -- fight homelessness or something... quitcherbitchin about stupid crap like what side of the escalator the uneducated masses should be standing on according to your twisted mind... I can't even BELIEVE there's an entire website about this...

I know another global custom that prevents congestion on escalators. It's called saying "Excuse me." If you're easily frustrated by having to wait while an automatic staircase carries you to another floor, I suggest taking a vacation.

Amen! CDugan!

Why are you all arguing about this? I live in England, and whenever you use the tube system in London, all people standing whilst using an escalator will use only the one side and it is commonplace for people who are in a rush to use the other side.

Works great!