Stand to the right!!!

As you exit the metro train car you see the escalators ahead of you and are excited that you are able to mingle with the many commuters and not stand out like a tourist. You and your friends get on and are talking when someone yells “Stand to the right”. You look down to see a line of angry commuters lined up behind you. You try and squeeze in between your friends on the right hand side of the escalator. As they begin to hurriedly file past you walking up the left hand side of the escalator, several mutter an angry “tourists” in your direction. There goes that plan for not appearing to be a tourist.

Word of Advice: When traveling on the Washington DC metrorail system it is standard practice to only stand on the right hand side of the escalators. A sure sign that you are unfamilar with the system or from out of town is to stand on the left. If you are unable to get to the right because of the push of people around you, then you better walk up the escalator or face the wrath of an angry and hurried DC commuter.