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Chapter 19

PUBLIC STAIRCASES
AND HALLWAYS

Imagine what roads and highways would look like if everyone just drove wherever they wanted. Or what chaos would ensue if there were no designated runways for planes or designated turns for takeoffs and landings.

Traffic in public hallways, on staircases and escalators, and through doors doesn’t have the same potential for disaster as on interstates and in airports, but there are certain guidelines to follow to keep things flowing in an orderly fashion.

Most of these rules are just common sense and follow the same rules of real roads, but they can be forgotten when we’re in a hurry.

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YOU DO

Stay to the right while walking in a hall and ascending or descending a staircase.

YOU DON’T

Walk on the left, walk in the middle, or drift from side to side.

Why

In America, we drive on the right and we walk the same way. In two-way traffic, keeping everyone to their right avoids bumps and collisions of the vehicular and pedestrian variety.

YOU DO

Stay to the right side of an ascending or descending escalator.

YOU DON’T

Anchor yourself in the middle.

Why

Some people are in a hurry and prefer to walk rather than ride escalators; when they pass riders, they need to have access to the left side of the moving staircase.

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YOU DO

Watch where you are going and pay attention to your surroundings and the people around you in public places.

YOU DON’T

Walk and text, make sudden stops in hallways or midway up a staircase, or pause at the top or bottom of an escalator.

Why

You will most certainly be rear-ended and could hurt yourself and others, perhaps causing a dangerous pile up.

A lady passes slower walkers to their left, and says “excuse me” as she does so, doing her best not to startle the other walker.

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Ladies do not walk more than two abreast in a hallway, on a walking path, or on a staircase. If the hallway is narrow, with oncoming traffic, ladies walk in single file until lanes are clear.

A lady steps to the rear or side of an elevator when other passengers enter. If it is quite crowded and she is closest to the panel, she asks “which floor?” and pushes the appropriate button. If someone is having trouble getting out, she pushes the button that holds the door open.

Ladies hold a door for older people, people with packages, and people pushing strollers. If someone holds a door for her, she always says “thank you.”