Although much research into Japan had taught me a great deal, for some reason, nobody ever bothered to mention escalators. I travelled through France, a man rushed up the escalators exclaiming "excusez moi!" and I obediently moved aside to let him pass as did others on the moving stairs.
I'm in Japan, I encounter my first escalator. "Don't stand next to me" my girlfriend said. Dazed and confused after sleep depravation I replied "Huh?". What had I done wrong? "Stand in front of me" she said. "Hm", I thought, there is no one behind me or in a rush, does she not want me to stand next to her? I had to ask "Why am I standing in front of you?". "We do this in Japan". Sure enough there was much truth in her reply. Generally without fail and irregardless of if there are but three people on an escalator and no danger of anyone rushing past. Most Japanese people kindly stand to one side of the escalator to let passers by, well, pass by.
I have been informed that in the London subway a similar rule is observed, however, that's just in the London subway, this rule appears to be universal in Japan wherever an escalator can be found. When you realise this, you ask your self, "but this makes so much sense, why do we not do it back home?". I don't really have the answer to that. Surprisingly there are few signs in Japan that inform you of this rule so I'm kindly informing you about it should you wish to visit someday.
There is however a catch.
You would think that many a year ago during the great escalator wards the one true side on which to stand would have been declared victor over its lowly opposite. However, this is not true. Depending on where you are in Japan you must stand either on the left or right side. When the escalator is busy this is an easy enough choice but when it's not it's a game of chance! Evidently this confuses Japanese people too. Occasionally you see a few people who have decided to stand on the left, but a few below chose the right. Chaos! If you happen to be caught between a war of the left and right ensure a good step or two of distance remains between you and your opposition in order to let busy people zig-zag in-between your feud.
