Your legs work? Use the escalator not the lift!!! | ExpatWoman.com
 

Your legs work? Use the escalator not the lift!!!

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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 02 November 2011 - 14:29

This is a mini rant so I will apologise first!! But what is it with people rushing off the metro and heading straight for the lift when there are escalators???? I dont know how many times I have had to wait for the lift to go down and back up before I can fit in with my buggy. I know that you cant always tell peoples aches/pains/disabilities but if you can run to the lift surely you can walk to the escalator? If there were stairs not motorised escalators I could understand.

The same in the malls! There are escalators everywhere are yet "seemingly" able bodied people queue to get in tiny lifts. I dont think that only people with buggies should use the lifts, but I dont understand why if you can use the escalator you would rather queue to get into a lift?

Am I on my own on this one or do others share my pain? hehehe

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EW GURU
Latest post on 03 November 2011 - 19:54
I use the lift. Sometimes because I need to and other times because I can. BUT, I don't barge in front of anyone, especially those with strollers/wheelchairs.
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 03 November 2011 - 12:02
Saw a family in the mall last night push a WHEELCHAIR up the escalator- don't know what they were thinking either! Probably got tired of waiting for the slow-as lifts!!! Was interesting though, I used the feeder bus from metro to Dubai mall, an Emirati lady & her kids were on the bus, (never mind it was the ladies section) a guy came in and looked expectantly like he wanted one of the kids to get up, fair enough, but to my amusement the lady stood up and offered him her seat!To his credit he refused but she then began tsk-tsking him, 'slapping' him on the arm saying "yalla sit down" and pushed him into the seat! He had no choice but to sit there and do as she said! She spent the trip looking proudly around. I don't know if it's because she got to push a man around or if she was being deferential to an expat... not too sure but it was funny as!
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EW GURU
Latest post on 03 November 2011 - 09:46
My pet peeve - it just infuriates me and I am sure that whole extended families do not have a genetic inability or mobility issue -[b'> they are just lazy and selfish!!! [/b'> !! Thats all there is to most cases Same thing with people parking their cars out side groceries and honking furiously for service, and they are sometimes angry if it takes them a few extra seconds to come ! <em>edited by Arch on 03/11/2011</em>
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 03 November 2011 - 09:39
i agree skykitty, i've never seen "entitlement" like over here. i only milk my pregnancy at home with DH, he is after-all 1/2 of the reason i'm in the state that i am :D i feel guilty now for kind of expecting a seat on the metro :( Wondering if you did not put on the "if you dont get up and offer me a seat, I would smack you on the face" look :D Needless to say I always got offered a seat on the metro :D edited by hiccup on 02/11/2011 HAHAHA i havent, but i'm going to now!
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 03 November 2011 - 09:31
This reminds me of the time I saw the complete opposite to this problem, a while ago before they used to have those metal posts at the top of most escalators I saw a woman actully push her laden shopping trolley onto the down escalator. Obviously the result was a complete disaster, trolley rolled down uncontrollably spilling the shopping everywhere, while lady tried desperately to hang on, then let it plummet to the bottom where fortunately there were no people ahead. Still cannot understand what she was thinking.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 02 November 2011 - 21:00
Seems like I am in good company. We aren't looking for sole use of the lifts just priority over those who choose to use it rather than are required to :)
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EW GURU
Latest post on 02 November 2011 - 19:45
Being pregnant again i have to use the toilet twice as often as last time although i have never asked to cut inline i have danced a bit and looked for sympathy as the bladder just cant hold onto it for very long! I always walk into a lift(with buggy) even if fullof able bodied people and then make a point of saying to people who have all just rushed ahead of me in a polite way that they have a choice where as i dont and shouldnt be at their mercy. Rude no, assertive yes! <em>edited by nutty on 02/11/2011</em>
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 02 November 2011 - 18:07
I have to confess that I am able bodied and sometimes use the lift in the metro stations! I get the metro every day to work and if I am in a rush and see the lift is arriving as I am about to walk past it then I hop in - it can save me a couple of minutes which can mean the difference between catching a train and missing it. Especially when the escalator is clogged with people who stand rather than walk and don't stick to one side of the escalator so nobody can get past - don't even get me started on that one! Although I would never get in the lift if it meant that someone who actually needed it wasn't able to get in. For me it is a saving time thing - if the lift isn't there then I will use the escalator rather than wait for it. I actually find the metro to be quite chivalrous in terms of pregnant women and women in general. I have never seen a pregnant woman have to stand - I have given my seat a couple of times but usually before I have chance to someone else will jump up. And on a couple of occasions men have given me their seats which really surprised me - let's just hope it isn't because they thought I was pregnant :)
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 02 November 2011 - 17:59
I once saw a pregnant lady do something really funny... when a bunch of men didn't get up for her, she just pretended like she didn't see them and proceeded to make like she was about to sit on one's lap... he moved out of the way pretty fast!!! :D The other thing that really annoys me is during rush hour when people travel with their kids and each kid has its own seat while adults stand. Surely a (small child) could sit on mum/dad's knee and the others share a seat? Once they are 6 or older they are more than capable of standing up and holding on next to mum. I was always taught to stand for adults, and only sit if they said they did not want the seat. (Besides, playing 'surf' holding onto the railing was much more fun!!) :P
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 02 November 2011 - 17:40
i agree skykitty, i've never seen "entitlement" like over here. i only milk my pregnancy at home with DH, he is after-all 1/2 of the reason i'm in the state that i am :D i feel guilty now for kind of expecting a seat on the metro :( Wondering if you did not put on the "if you dont get up and offer me a seat, I would smack you on the face" look :D Needless to say I always got offered a seat on the metro :D <em>edited by hiccup on 02/11/2011</em>
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 02 November 2011 - 17:03
My pet peeve - it just infuriates me and I am sure that whole extended families do not have a genetic inability or mobility issue - they are just lazy and selfish!!! Even worse when wheelchair users have to wait, for an empty lift while young, mobile people stare out of the lift at them!!!
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 02 November 2011 - 16:28
Just wanted to add, I always wondered why Dubai Mall didn't put in travellators for the trolleys, surely it would free up the lifts and then mums with prams could use the ramps too... ? Very odd for the world's biggest mall if you ask me! MOE has them but only one as far as I know.
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 02 November 2011 - 16:26
Lol, sure he should feel bad like you say it's half his fault!!!!! :D A seat o nthe metro is different. it's a clearly defined and socially accepted rule to stand for a pregnant lady in a train. I'm sure the signs say as much. Not so much in the ladies' room... yet... :p Curious, if any ladies here have tried using the parents' room when they are pregnant, are there toilets in there and is there usually a line? might be another option worth considering. I used to take my nephew in there when he was too young to go on his own to the men's but wanted to go into the cubicle by himself.
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 02 November 2011 - 16:23
i agree skykitty, i've never seen "entitlement" like over here. i only milk my pregnancy at home with DH, he is after-all 1/2 of the reason i'm in the state that i am :D i feel guilty now for kind of expecting a seat on the metro :(
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 02 November 2011 - 16:22
I promise, if you are in the line behind me and ask nicely to skip in front to pee, I'll let you in front if I'm not bursting myself. The curse of having a walnut-sized bladder :P
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 02 November 2011 - 16:20
True but it should come freely not because someone is asking or compelling it. That is my point. If I feel gracious I'd allow someone in front, if I don't, well, it's probably because I can't wait either. I just dislike the attitude that some (not saying all) people have that when they are pregnant the world should stop for them... for example when I was on holidays a lady was giving the cabin crew **** because the flight was full and she couldn't have a row to herself. She said oh but it's uncomfortable for me so I deserve to sit by myself. They said sure she could pay to upgrade to business class if she wanted and she was like why should I have to pay? What, it's not uncomfortable for old, tall, people with injuries? You know what I mean. I'm not trying to start an argument just giving a different perspective. I prefer good gestures to come from the heart because someone wants to give them, not because one person or another expects them. Agree.
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 02 November 2011 - 16:17
True but it should come freely not because someone is asking or compelling it. That is my point. If I feel gracious I'd allow someone in front, if I don't, well, it's probably because I can't wait either. I just dislike the attitude that some (not saying all) people have that when they are pregnant the world should stop for them... for example when I was on holidays a lady was giving the cabin crew **** because the flight was full and she couldn't have a row to herself. She said oh but it's uncomfortable for me so I deserve to sit by myself. They said sure she could pay to upgrade to business class if she wanted and she was like why should I have to pay? What, it's not uncomfortable for old, tall, people with injuries? You know what I mean. I'm not trying to start an argument just giving a different perspective. I prefer good gestures to come from the heart because someone wants to give them, not because one person or another expects them.
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 02 November 2011 - 16:13
No offence I get that pregnant ladies need to pee a lot but so might other people, why should they let you cut the line just for being pregnant? If you ask nicely then maybe, but it's not a right so people have the choice to say no. I've had this happen several times, where I have been waiting a long time and people will ask to cut in front. Actually I'm quite desperate for the loo as well and don't want to wait any longer. does that make me a cow too? ETA: giving a seat on the metro is another story, of course that goes without saying edited by SkyKitty on 02/11/2011 An act of graciousness and consideration is always welcome, regardless the wordly aspect of physical needs, in my opinion.
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 02 November 2011 - 16:00
No offence I get that pregnant ladies need to pee a lot but so might other people, why should they let you cut the line just for being pregnant? If you ask nicely then maybe, but it's not a right so people have the choice to say no. I've had this happen several times, where I have been waiting a long time and people will ask to cut in front. Actually I'm quite desperate for the loo as well and don't want to wait any longer. does that make me a cow too? ETA: giving a seat on the metro is another story, of course that goes without saying <em>edited by SkyKitty on 02/11/2011</em>
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 02 November 2011 - 15:54
Actually, I thought it was an implicit rule to use the escalators as much as possible in order to leave the lifts free for people with trolleys, bags, strollers, wheelchairs, etc. when it is possible to choose. Yeah, but remember where you are... In the most superlative and amaaaaaaaazing city in the world? :D
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 02 November 2011 - 15:53
i got on the metro the other day and had to stand all the way from jebel ali to difc. i'm 7 months pregnant. no-one offered their seat to me. like skykitty, i also say "it'll go much quicker if you wait for me to get out of the lift, before you attempt to get in" Ah so it is not only me. When I go to the ladies' bathrooms, nobody lets me go first. Or when I am queuing. And I am BIG.
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 02 November 2011 - 15:52
Actually, I thought it was an implicit rule to use the escalators as much as possible in order to leave the lifts free for people with trolleys, bags, strollers, wheelchairs, etc. when it is possible to choose. Yeah, but remember where you are...
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 02 November 2011 - 15:51
Actually, I thought it was an implicit rule to use the escalators as much as possible in order to leave the lifts free for people with trolleys, bags, strollers, wheelchairs, etc. when it is possible to choose.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 02 November 2011 - 15:43
I'm glad I'm not alone with the buggy rage! I find it really frustrating too.
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 02 November 2011 - 15:43
i got on the metro the other day and had to stand all the way from jebel ali to difc. i'm 7 months pregnant. no-one offered their seat to me. like skykitty, i also say "it'll go much quicker if you wait for me to get out of the lift, before you attempt to get in"
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 02 November 2011 - 15:40
I generally stick to the escalators but at the mall occasionally (very rarely) if I have to go from the bottom to the top then yes I'll take the lift... mainly to save my sanity from getting stuck behind the slow coaches who insist on standing two abreast on the escalator so no one can get past! Having said that if someone is waiting for the lift before me I will wait my turn. The other thing that peeves me is when I've been waiting for a lift (on one occasion I had very bad foot cramp which obviously is not very visible and found it hard to use the escalator- I'm meaning a very very bad one that lasts 30mins or more) and was waiting for the lift in Dubai Mall for more than 10 minutes. A woman with a stroller just showed up, pushed past me when the lift doors opened, took up all the space making no attempt to move over then jabbed the 'door close' button shutting the door in my face!!!! That made me extremely mad! Yes I get that she couldn't use the escalator but surely she can wait her turn like everyone else. There were also several old people waiting who clearly have trouble with the fast moving escalator. Selfish woman! The other one that gets me is people shoving into the metro before I can even get off. Not only mothers with prams but just people walking too. Used to make me so mad now I just say loudly "Excuse me if you let me get off it'll be easier to go inside thanks very much!" All I can say is people here are RUDE!!! I had to ask a girl to move all her boxes of **** on the floor of the metro so a mother could park her pram out of the way. I mean really should anyone have to ask?!?!
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 02 November 2011 - 15:34
Yes I agree some people may have disguised disabilities, but I can tell you that the majority are just plain LAZY! I prefer to use the escalator anyway, but have to use the lift sometimes with buggy, and some of these people actually run and push in front of you to get on the lift first.... or the gems who quickly press the close door button to make sure they get the lift all to themselves, gotta love it
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 02 November 2011 - 15:24
Hmm - I agree to a point but not all mobility issues revolve around speed of movement. I can walk fast, climb normal stairs etc but absolutely cannot step up anything higher than a normal step height (nightmare when EK keep departing and landing in T2 and we have to use those buses with the high step!) To look at me you would never know that I have that problem. Maybe people have problem with taking large steps (as you get off escalator) balance or whatever. Even if they haven't they have every right to use the lifts - sorry to say. ;) It would be like workers complaining and saying why are all those mum's clogging up the roads on the school run when we are trying to get to work? why can't they leave earlier /later? everyone has a right to the roads -and lifts I don't think one group should feel they have a priority no matter how inconvienenced they feel. Absolutely, and you can't always see a mobility issue or anything else that might affect a person's ability to use an escalator. But think of it this way. Mums and buggies: Can only use lifts, can't use escalators. Perfectly able people with no escalator phobias: Can use either lifts or escalators. I know it's a matter of courtesy, but doesn't it make sense that the group that can use both would leave the only one the other group can use free for them? And (much as I loathe school traffic when it's full of me-me-me parents who think the rules don't apply to them) kids have to be at school at a certain time as much as workers have to be at work at a certain time :). No need for 'sorry to say' - it's your opinion and you're perfectly entitled to it! :D
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 02 November 2011 - 15:19
This is why you all need P&T buggies - they come equipped with a large pointy bit at shin level which is ideal for clearing a passage to lifts, through crowds, etc. I am not often prone to buggy-rage, but my thinking is that if you're nimble enough to push past me, then you're also nimble enough to hop out of the way (although admittedly the bruised shin may hinder you a bit). I also don't get people who decide to use a narrow ramp instead of the steps... when there's a buggy coming up it in the opposite direction. When we went to Hong Kong, I had to use the escalator with the P&T (double) and I have never been so scared in my life - I had to get DD (then 2.5) out and hold her hand on the moving steps whilst standing 5 steps below the buggy with DS in it to support the weight. Needless to say, DD lost her footing and was beside herself... I ended up shaking and vowing never, ever to do that, ever again.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 02 November 2011 - 15:09
I guess I am the opposite, I don't like it when people with strollers use the escalators. :)
 
 

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