To expect people go up steps on the left.

Being right handed I always hold on to the rail with my right hand [never thought to do otherwise]. Although I'd go with the flow if everyone else was going the other way.

Left for me , I am left handed and always want to reach out/ hold with my left hand

I think the majority of people are right handed and therefore hold onto the rail on the right hand side for safety reasons. That's my excuse anyway.

One thing I liked about working in London was everyone mostly kept, I thought it was to the left. It is so long ago I really do forget which side it was but it was at least to one side. Here in Oz they have no idea and stand in the middle not giving a thought to the person who wants to pass them. It drives me mad as everyone behind on the escalator has to slowly make their way up the escalator because one person won't stand to the left or right.

#very impatient from Australia

I have to go to the right too, which is fine on escalators, as I need to hang on with my right hand to compensate for a dodgy hip. You just don't realise why people do what they do until you get older.

Phoenix, you'll have to go and see Paddington re the dogs.

I am afraid I prefer to walk on the right as I cannot see out of my right eye, and prefer to be able to see if anyone is likely to overtake me.

Riverwalk if we gave way, we would still be standing on the tube platform because everybody else would have barged forward. You are well aware what it is like to have to allow at least 2 tubes go by because they were so full. There used to be a stampede when the next had the temerity to stop allowing about 3 on board. So glad I am out of that going to work lark in central London.

Grannyknot

Yes we Londoners are trained to gird our loins, elbows at the ready, know where we're going and charge through the crowds at the tube station!

No dawdling - ya just have to go for it!

phoenix

cross please don't tell me there are separate rules for stairs and escalators! No wonder I'm

On another note, having worked in London for years, husband and I are so darn pushy in crowds (sharp elbows and all that) that when we were visiting relatives in Bath, my SIL pulled me to one side and said "Please stop barging through the crowd, you're embarrassing me!" It made me realise what a monster I'd become!

I shall have to take a DGC with me and borrow a dog.

I have a weakness in my left leg which means I have to hold onto a rail on the right. This gets me into all sorts of difficulties with people coming down so I need to wait until most people have come down. I think people just think I am being awkward.

Blimey I am probably a 'serial offender'.

I don't mean that sarcastically I have never given it a minutes thought. I will now.

phoenix a sign at Gatwick airport states that "small children must be held tightly". I didn't have one with me

I thought it was stand on the right but walk on the left on the escalators. I am a bit nervous of steps since I fell down a flight of stairs in a friend's house - with only a black eye to show for it, thankfully.

It is certainly stand on the right on the escalators and I've always gone up or down stairs on the right it always used to be what most people did but nowadays its a free for all mostly.. I still walk up or down on the right and bugger anyone who is going the wrong way.

I know Charleygirl, am a liability according to DCs...... Did nurse training nearly 40 years ago in London but rarely been back since so bit slow to catch on I'm afraid. Need to sharpen up my act for next visit!

I always thought you went to the right - like on the tube. Seems to work most of the time.

I was always intrigued by the sign on the Underground escalators that says "Dogs must be carried"

What do you do if you don't have a dog?

loolylou if you had lived in London as long as I have you would soon learn the ways of the tube. You are more likely to have a nasty accident if you go against the rules, written or otherwise.

One tube escalators am usually too busy trying to cling on to handrail, avoid tripping up and starting a human domino effect and not looking down or up (get vertigo!) to also look out for notices , let alone watch out for pickpockets and other people-perhaps my multitasking abilities are starting to fray!

@Grannyknot - in Sydney, Australia, the rule is 'stand on the left' on the subway escalator.

Try switching to the right, crossstitch. If you don't have to shift for other people, the problem is solved. If you still have to shift for others, there clearly is no rule but just a case of who gives way first.

The times I've used London Underground escalators, I'm pretty sure there were notices asking people to stand on the right, if my memory serves me correctly.

Never knew this about steps/stairs? I would naturally go up stairs on the right hand side, and come down again on the left.

So that's why my DCs who live in London get so exasperated with me when we use the tube! The light dawneth slowly, admittedly!

Too many rules! On the Tube escalators it's stand on the right

I'm very tolerant of people who don't know the rules (especially the unwritten ones) when it comes to things like that