Traffic & Transit
Ad Encourages DC Metro Riders To Stand On Left Of Escalator
Yes, there really is a tourism ad encouraging "escaleftors" on the DC Metrorail system.
WASHINGTON, DC — If DC area residents know one thing, it's stand to the right and walk to the left on Metro escalators. Tourists unfamiliar with this custom may break this local rule, but a new tourism ad encourages all riders to stand to the left.
The ad, posted by Destination DC on Twitter, shows a commuter trying to get past two people standing to the right and left. Complaints ensue when the person standing on the left doesn't move and continues having a conversation with the person next to him.
The video has a name for those people standing to the left: "escaleftors." The ad ends with an arrow pointing to the commuter angry about the person standing to the left. "Don't be that guy...be an escaleftor."
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Live a little (like a tourist). Be an Escaleftor. #StayLocalDC https://t.co/YDXUevVTRf pic.twitter.com/2YopT1og39
— washingtondc (@washingtondc) December 10, 2019
Standing on the left has been known to irritate Metro regulars, particularly if they're trying to get to work. While riders usually learn standing to the right from experience or word of mouth, it's also listed as an etiquette rule on Metro's website. However, Metro's General Manager Paul Wiedefeld was quoted by NBC Washington a few years ago saying walking on the left can damage escalators.
Needless to say, some didn't respond well to the "escaleftor" ad.
Find out what's happening in Kingstowne-Rose Hillfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
No, it is NOT OKAY to stand on the left side of DC Metro escalators. After all the mayhem that #DCmetro riders have endured the past few days, they don't need tourism agencies thwarting their efforts to get to work. #WMATA already makes it hard enough. https://t.co/75XAgU0rES
— Gayle Cinquegrani (@GayleCinquegran) December 11, 2019
Lol when I went out to DC this summer the first thing that my friend taught me about the Subway is that if you stand on the left side of the escalators, people will shout at you. It took me two days to become the person who shouts at those people. https://t.co/8Tvc4PWw9u
— Brooks (@EBrooksUncut) December 11, 2019
If a clueless tourist is standing on the left side of the escalator, just approach them and say, 'Excuse me, I'd like to get past." Use Your words, TALK TO PEOPLE you socially awkward freaks! The fact that passive-aggressive regular riders DON'T do this is why there are backups https://t.co/Sfb9mMWdXQ
— Jack Moore (@jmooreDC) December 11, 2019
What do you think about the ad encouraging standing on the left of escalators? Let us know in the comments.
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