[Last modified: November, 15 2024 08:50 PM]
Riding Subway Escalators
Riding the escalators on the London Underground is a daily ritual – so routine that no one needs to think about how the body and the world come together in such a simple moment.
When standing on the escalator. The body instinctively readjusts- your weight shifts slightly to balance against the tilt, and you might reach for the handrail without thinking. If standing and not moving, you would feel the slight vibration of the moving steps beneath your feet, a gentle reminder of the presence of the machine. If you are walking left, your steps synchronize with the escalator’s pace, molding your movement into its rhythm.
But it is not only about movement, it is a social experience too. An unwritten rule on the right, passed on the left-keeps the flow of people orderly. If someone stands on the left, a few sighs or quiet grumbles quickly remind them of the rules. These cues, mostly so subtle, say something about how deeply societal norms structure even the tiniest of our daily responses.
Beyond what rules exist, however, is the experience itself. The hum of the escalator, the whoosh of air as a train rushes past, and the sense of others standing close by create an atmosphere. For a commuter simply eager to get to work, this could be a moment that feels little more than a necessary pause. For a tourist, however, it might be exciting or even disorienting.
The escalator then is more than this mere tool to facilitate the movement between floors. It is a space in which our bodies respond to the physical world and the social expectations around us. It is also a space in which we make meaning from our own feelings and our perceptions. By paying attention to such small moments of everyday life, we come to realize that our bodies are not merely passive participants of the world but that they constantly understand and shape our experience of it.