Escalators are very rare novelties here. I never really understood their purpose over a regular stairs, but they are so cool on the occasions I see them. As a

Escalators are very rare novelties here. I never really understood their purpose over a regular stairs, but they are so cool on the occasions I see them. As a kid I was taught that walking up or down an escalator was rude, could cause injury, and defeats the purpose of the escalator. I think I was punished for doing it. When I went to DC, people were asking me to move out of the way so they could run up the escalators. I thought they were just being rude, but then I noticed lots of people doing this. I don't remember there being any signs or anything anywhere explaining this. It just emerged as part of their culture. Very interesting. I will definitely try running up an escalator the next time I see one.