RMR: Rick's Rant - Escalators and Elevators

[senorsoupe]

I have done a lot of traveling and have noticed that cities without subway systems tend to be worse at this sort of thing. I currently live in Ottawa and am seriously tempted to take a cattle prod when I go to the Rideau Centre so I can shock all the people standing on the left hand side of the escalators. LEFT SIDE IS FOR PASSING!!!!!!!! Sorry this really issue really grinds my gears

[SenatorsProduction]

Ricks got a point here

[richard833]

Rick for prime minister

[EmilyEmilyIris]

Actually, RIck, the escalator WAS designed as a novelty ride.

[diablo200525]

I work at a mall and I walk up the escalator. I feel your pain Rick..... Move over D<

[Doctorwithnoname222]

lol When you wait for your family member or in my case for the crew of a plane please do not stop your family member right as they are coming out of the customs doors. It's frustrating for the peaple who need to go somewhere, for peaple to meet their own families that are pushed to the back of the building because you are in the way or the poor buggers that need to go on another flight in five minutes. Thank you! -.-; <3

[Starbits7]

I have a friend that ALWAYS stops on the escalator. I just start talking then walk down the escalators and she has no choice but to follow me as she wants to know what I'm saying. It works every time.

[MrCrazyCanuk]

Elevator: lets handicapped people or people with lots of stuff change floors easily. Conclusion: useful.

Escalator: lets fat or lazy  people change floors without having to move in any way,

Conclusion: useless.

[enorabv]

Hi Rick, I live in Vancouver BC Canada (just in case you forgot where that is, he he he) nayway, when the escalators were installed for the skytrain, yes the Light rail transit sytem that when had installed in 1986:). When the escalators were installed small plaques were placed between the up and down escalators to tell people stand right, walk left.

Well, during the 2010 Winter Olympics some decision maker decided to tape over the signs. I continued to walk on the left, it's a long escalator:)

[enorabv]

@enorabv so then I noticed that the plaques have been removed! REMOVED!!! However the overall population in the lower mainland know that the rule is wlk left so they usually tuck their stupid friend and nice visitor over to the right when I come charging along. If there is a death on the Skytrain escalator it will be me running over some dummy who is standing and chatting about the prices and didn't hear me ask then to excuse me please as I roar down the escalator at a brisk pace:)

[EverYours614]

if you wanna walk, TAKE THE STAIRS!!

[Shift4g]

@EverYours614 You mean like stairs that move?

[sidereally]

thank you!

[Conchobhar]

Montreal has the passing lane system all over. Makes it fucking infuriating to have to deal with standers again every time I come back to Ottawa.

[zeldafreak71]

DAMN STRAIGHT!

where is this in toronto? they use this alley for alot of the rants.

[mootar159]

ive never seen anyone keep walking on a escalator. everyone stops

[enorabv]

@mootar159 please stay home. As a tourist you'd be unwelcome:) Thanks!!!

[Jade7272]

Where I live... the majority of people stand on the excalator, but to the right for the few people who are in a hurry. However, the door thing is SO ANNOYING! Pull over and stop! XD

[belisariusorb]

I always tap them on the shoulder and say "please stand on the right".

If that doesn't work I shove myself past them.

[mathewohare]

You should have mentioned that being slow makes a person look fatter. :D

[ComedyNurd]

Haha I'm always the asshole that stops on the escalator. Sorry, everyone.

[TheUghman]

I have always said the same things… escalator is not a ride. Keep walking… I will add the door thing - a row of six doors, but people will go out of their way to follow somebody else through a door at the far end to save themselves even having to open it a few inches as it closes… if they were capable of really thinking about it they might see how nonsensical it is…

[hyperactive27]

add on sidewalks, if your going to stop and talk to your buddy, get out of the way. it's called a sideWALK for a reason.

[bourdon30]

he is perfectly right! seriously, how many times do I see someone blocking my way at the entrance of an underground train station, on such an escalator or a narrow passage - when they could simply move to the side, they tend to take up the entire available space! and they-are-u-su-al-ly-so-bloo-dy­-slooooooow - I'd love to tell them: ''if you're not going to move at an acceptable speed, get the devil out of my way!''

[mathewohare]

People that stand and block like that actually look fatter for it, don't they? Same with those with umbrellas held with the tips at eye level.

[deenee6789]

that should be same for letting people get off the buss first as well lol i hate when people just rush in.

[tsolorio3001]

5 stars!!! The other day we were trying to leave a store and lady was blocking the entire door with herself, her cart and her 3 yr old to tie his shoe and she was well aware that people were having to turn sideways and lifting shopping bags above their heads to get around her. Very inconsiderate!

[jacobl2222]

Amen to making getting on an elevator before people can get off a criminal offence. Same applies to subway cars.

[vigosmom1]

LOL I so get that...And I have a baby I make the effort to keep moving

[Capitanvolume]

He should talk about bad drivers, I live in Calgary and people are such bad drivers

PS I was at Costco and they actually told people to move out of the entrance so people could get through.

[sammichaels]

rick you are my hero!!!!

[SexiestPenguin]

Escalators never break, they just become stairs

[dusthat]

In Japan, on an escalator it's left side stand - right side pace in Tokyo and Kyushu, but it's right side stand - left side pass in Osaka.

[Rodeoboy]

You sir speak the truth. It's shit like this that makes me want move out to the sticks and become a hermit.

[Gnickk]

Stupid suburbanites who don't know how to use the subway.

[smp22]

My religion:

pass on the left

Thank you Rick!

[Kaalec]

In London, in the Tube Stations, they actually have signs (for tourists) that read "Stand On The Right." Very civilized, very affordable and you could gently touch a "left-stander" or "double-stander" and point to the sign.

[themanyouwanttobe]

@Kaalec Oh yeah. I remember seeing those when I was in London. I stood on the left anyways and when someone tapped my shoulder and pointed to the sign I pretended to be French and ignored them. Nice thing about the Sky Train in Vancouver is that most of the stations have a stone staircase beside an up escalator. I run up that no problem with a bag of books on my back while laughing at the people stuck in line. Yes, I am from the suburbs. When buses come every half-hour you learn patience.

[Kaalec]

@themanyouwanttobe Well I don't want to be the man who acts like a total dipshit in other people's countries. What an asshole.

[cremedemiel13]

i love rick mercer!! he's AMAZING!!! but i have to say, my brother and i saw him in the airport recently and...he was standing on the escalator. we amost called him on it! :)

[FerryDude2009]

anyone notice the dude at 1:26 - 2:02 taking a piss?

[TofCanada]

@FerryDude2009 If he's peeing, he's spraying it over 270 degrees, and showing the camera. Though it kinda does look like that the way he was standing to the wall with his legs spread out.

[sensgirl33]

i now think of this rant every time i'm on an Escalator. It is soooo true!!!!!!!!!!

[divenatty]

Oh God thank you for bringing this to light! I hate inconsiderate people like that! I have stuff to do even though other people out there may not!

Right on Rick!

[JuneHS]

You know what I've noticed, every "anglophone" province in Canada seems to have no knowledge of escalator etiquette, but as soon as you step into Quebec, everything runs like IT SHOULD.

Okay, I generalize. By every "anglophone" province, I meant Ontario.

[YouJussGotCurbed]

comment fail

[SniperViper1000]

@JuneHS Everything does run like it should in Quebec. Except one thing, the government.

[tajers]

hey, if you don't pull over in europe they club you. are we too derivative to not do the same? there needs to be national escalator and elevator day.

[KitfoxElite]

I'm with you Rick, 100%.

[andrews1022]

Lol my did this I almost yelled at him on the weekend. Seriously pisses me off too.

And yes, Asian people. Holy shit can you walk any slower. I mean, I can`t tell you how many times I was walking (and I walk pretty fast I guess cause I`m 6`2) and ended up going at the rate of a snail. And seriously, all the little kids out there too, stop cutting people off! Holy shit I could`ve pushed literally 50 people when I was at the mall last weekend.

Either pick up the pace, or go stay at home.

[Emilydogcat]

@andrews1022 just a note: the expression "Holy Shit" or any expression with shit in it is yucky. Whenever I hear these type of expressions I gag.

How about:

Holy Molely

Geepers

[eaglesviper90]

@Emilydogcat

holy shit, suck it up.

[Kaalec]

@Emilydogcat Gee whillkers, holy moley. I hope to fuck that's better.

[TheKandoit]

I never walk once I'm on escalators, and you're not supposed to.

I think Rick's awsome but this is a dumb rant.

[youlosttehgame]

Aha, try: Chinatown

[33HONDA]

@youlosttehgame ahahah ya i agree omg thats a EPIC FAIL!!!

[imaginetheresno]

Poor, dear, sweet Rick...I luv yah....simply say excuse me and they'll move over to let you pass....people today don't "think".....they must be lead. They 've also lost all sense of manners (elevator comment). Remember when "common sense isn't so common"? Today...common sense means you're "gifted"!

I wonder if those two women are STILL standing on the escalator? LOL ANOTHER fine example of how we depend on machines toooo much. (no spell check was used in the typing of this message) Tah dah!

[JayonT]

Unfortunately, that doesn't always work. Not all people will move when asked, but the big problem is actually getting their attention; when out in public, many people tend to ignore the majority of others around them. And what if there happen to be a half dozen people between you and the blockage? As annoying as it is to be stuck on an escalator, people are even more upset by someone yelling at someone else to move. I like to believe that people would be kind and move, but it doesn't always work

[canadamama]

Rick, you would EXPLODE after one hour in a MIddle Eastern mall. I live in Qatar, and I swear on any holy book you put in front of me, I was in City Center Mall in Doha, Qatar, and the power went out. About 5-10 minutes later, as I was walking out, not a word of a lie, I saw two women standing halfway down an escalator as though stranded. This was not seconds after, but at least five minutes after the power went out. I have no idea how long they waited before they gave up and walked.

[Kaalec]

@canadamama I have done business in Doha. I know the Mall and I don't doubt your story for one second. I have never seen a more indolent bunch of people in my life as the Qataris, and I'm sorry but I have to say it, especially female Qataris. Maybe it's because they see through the abayas.

[walkertexasranger33]

@canadamama dont swear on holy books. that doesnt mean well trust yo more

[101101101777]

@canadamama maybe the two women were being...busy, with eachother with the lights off...

[enorabv]

@canadamama that is a great story! Thannks for sharing:D

[enorabv]

Do you know what else? There are very densely populated cities in Asia that use the slow, medium, fast walk system on the sidewalks!!

[mmatsoo]

Rick, if you come to Estonia you'll find yourself in prison. Escalator etiquette is non-existent.

[azngirlchibi]

o_O Erm, I actually don't move on the escalators... XD

[Bullfrog1983]

I definitely agree with the elevator comment.

[maryandmac]

Dear Rick, We love you brother. But we think maybe you are starting to sound like someone from Toronto... Love from Chiang Mai, Thailand

[Blazingluke]

Amen

[IglooGirl1]

YES!!!!!!!!!! Thank you Rick!!!

[Flint133]

Koreans should watch this!

[utubepolis]

Rick is way better than Pat Condell

[y2kxj]

great rant... mine rant is those people who stand in line at a check out and finally get to the time when you need to pay then start to dig out their wallets

[dbzmiri]

lol he's turning into a Torontonian

[LifeguardGirl28]

lol! Very true.

[SereneVistas]

So true!

[canadarox71]

You Rock Rick.

They should paint white lines on the steps of the escalator and put up signs saying slow traffic must stay right....

[cancrewgirl]

Woohoo!!! He finally dealt with this issue!!! Give it to 'em Rick!!

[raptor888x]

He's been doing all his rants in my neighbourhood. If i ever bump into him i want to shake his hand and tell how much of a genius he is.

And I agree 100% with this rant.

[LasikasFire]

i just watched this yesterday and today i got stuck on an escalator behind some douche. damnit.. more ppl should watch RMR

[madison817]

AMEN!

[SnakeBite27]

I'm glad it's finally been said!

[iMiiTH]

What about the people that walk really slow...

[080Muffin080]

Ok, it's not politics.... but damn he's got a point people!

[rjspear]

Couldn't agree more Rick.

[masteractor]

THANK YOU RICK!  Finally!

[journ9er]

Truer words were never spoken, but it must've been a slow news week.

[absentmindedmelody]

Escalator standers make me sad in the pants ):

And mobs of people that walk as slow as possible while spanning the entire hallway >:o

[kidkappa04]

good rant. montreals awesome at this. i thought they were all freaks because it was weird to see. but they've got it right. and its not just a few people, everyone does it

[bpurkiss]

You must be one of those people that stands on the left then. I have to agree, I would rather stay still than walk up an elevator but at least I know to stay to the right.

[HollyOhPlease]

Best .... rant ... EVER!

[decivox]

I totally agree. Stay to the right if your not walking, and stay to the left if you are walking up the escalator. People just dont seem to get it, so I usually use the stairs now.

[ThOverdrive]

Saw this on RMR tonight. Can't say I often disagree with him, especially on things as trivial as this but the escalators are there so that shoppers can take a break. Can't stand it when someone squeezes by on the escalators...really guy, you couldn't stand for ten seconds and just enjoy the view of the store?

[123luck321]

enjoy the view of the store? wow you need to get out more

[ThOverdrive]

You seriously down thumbed me? I lived in a city for a number of years and happened to work at the mall. It was rare to see someone so pushy and in a hurry that they were actually willing to push past someone on the escalator. lol Rick generally has a good track record but I would hate to see malls turn into shoving matches when it comes to escalators.

Then again his "Front Page" segment wasn't as good as normal this episode, maybe his good writers took a vacation.

[Robotman42]

Wait, a little nudge can turn into a shoving match? You've seen it, too?

[PeaceLoveMusicx12]

Seriously?! He's doing this for humour, no need to tell everyone about enjoying the view of the store and all of its glory.

[ThOverdrive]

wow I wonder if RM realizes how many douches are in his audience. 7 thumbs down simply for sharing my opinion...that is sad and ignorant

[Robotman42]

I disagree, but no thumbs down. Isn't the thumbs-down supposed to be for chain-letterers and spammers and one-word insults that nobody needs to pay any attention to? You developed your argument.

To the point, then, escalators are NOT for people to take a break. They are there as a convenience so that walking up the stairs is no longer necessary (and it probably reduces the number of tripping accidents, too). If a person wants to squeeze by, why not let them?

[ThOverdrive]

Its a fair point granted. lol there really aren't any rules posted on the escalator so it is up for interpretation as to what proper etiquette is and yeah I didn't agree with Rick here. Any time I think of the design of a mall I keep the elderly in mind. Stairs would be a serious limiting factor for older people and the escalator both makes it easier for them and keeps traffic moving.

Again when it comes to the rest of us I wouldn't stop a person from passing by but I would find it annoying.

[ThOverdrive]

Another thing I would probably look at is how wide the escalator is and how fast its moving and the most relevant factor - are the stairs right beside them, most good layouts will have stairs next to the escalators.

[meesasquall]

you also make a valid argument

now for the tie breaking round,

simpsons or family guy?