Phillyist: Monday Manners: Pardonnez Moi

Ombilic Des Limbes

Wed, 28 Jun 2006 12:35:20 -0500

That's one of the most annoying things about US manners (another is the ubiquitous tendency to refer to the US as "America"). In England, people who don't want to walk on the escalator stay to one side, allowing people who actually want to get somewhere quickly to walk past them. (Whatever happened to US'ers living such rushed lives? oh well, I guess the aversion to exercise trumps the worship of speed and efficiency....) Running the wrong way on an escalator can be a lot of fun. Provided you're polite enough to make sure that no security guards are around.

Frank

Wed, 28 Jun 2006 11:01:09 -0500

I got "huffed" this morning when I said "Excuse me" on an escalator and this dude was blocking the left side. I wanted to keep walking (especially since my train was late and I needed to get to an appointment). He huffed and then his colleague muttered. I wasn't as nice. As I blew by I said, "Yes, it's very hard to get out of peoples' way." I should have said "Excuse me" again.

Katie

Mon, 26 Jun 2006 15:37:24 -0500

Oooooo you have NO idea how excited I am for next week!