Mr. Manners...right side of escalator, please! Proper etiquette in public!

Pick one! Any one!
(But, follow escalator etiquette, please!)

Readers may recall that I started up a new advice column a couple of weeks ago (Mr. Manners) which focuses on proper etiquette and good manners in social, political (even economic) settings.

The first installment dealt with the issue of speaking English in appropriate environments.

Post:  11/24/10

http://ijulian.blogspot.com/2010/11/mr-mannersenglish-in-businesses.html

Today - Mr. Manners is tackling the sticky issue of escalators - and subsequently - traffic flow!

If any of you have ever been to San Francisco, then you've probably noticed that the locals in that fair city are a civilized lot.

On the way to the office at the crack of dawn, for instance, pedestrians wait patiently at the curb for a "green light" before sauntering across to the other side.

Unlike folks in Los Angeles and Tokyo - who end up in a free-for-all in the subway (pushing and shoving for bragging rights) - residents of the City by the picturesque Bay are also inclined to queue up politely along the track and take their turns boarding (according to when they alighted on the "landing pad") the trains shortly after they swoosh to a precise stop at the station.

Though that issue may need addressing in the near future, today - the glare of the spotlight is being focused squarely on the topsy-turvy realm of fast-moving escalators - because things are getting darn ugly after all.

For your information, proper etiquette dictates - that there are two options to follow - when a commuter shuffles on to an escalator.

For example, when passengers are arriving or departing from the underground subway (the English refer to it as "the tube"), they should  - not only step lively onto the escalator - but position themselves on the right side of the escalator with their body hugging the side of the rail.

Or - enter the automated stairwell on the left (in the alternative) - where they'll be free (hopefully) to stride up the steely steps in earnest in the event the hapless souls are late for work and anxious to make headway at every nip-and-turn along-the-way).

Standing in a stationary position on the left (directly opposite the individual on the right) is definitely taboo.

If anything - the selfish conduct simply underscores that the individual in question is either an unsophisticated loser who just scurried out-from-under a slimy rock in the boondocks somewhere - or a thoughtless boob.

Of course, the courtesy is not required (or possible for that matter) at tony Neiman Marcus, where the escalators to the upper levels of the upscale retail outlet in Beverly Hills are barely one-and-a-half  feet wide.

In that scenario, a buffoon with lousy manners would have to be an acrobat to get by a shopper firmly ensconced on the stair ahead with packages in tow.

Nuff said!

By the way, cruise on by in January for the next intriguing subject:

"Check-out line protocol at the local supermarket"

Happy Holidays!

http://www.thetattler

Civilized San Franciscans out for a stroll!

Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman... doesn't care about tourists! Selfish self-serving politician!

 

Mayor Goodman selfish a**hole!

 

Cash Cab picked up Mayor Goodman!

(fluke or set-up?)

The other evening, Mayor Goodson was featured on one of the local news stations, which reported on his recent appearance on the popular cable TV show the "Cash Cab"

For those individuals in the dark about the burgeoning TV hit, the premise goes something like this.

When tourists or local residents have the good fortune to flag down the "Cash Cab", the male host (who is the driver behind the wheel) turns around in his seat and offers to give the startled taxi riders a chance - to not only ride free - but also earn some greenbacks by trying their hand at a handful of trivia questions as they ride to their destination.

Apparently, Mayor Goodson was invited to take a shot at it.

Frankly, when I caught the news clip, it angered me.

What a good-for-nothing selfish self-serving so-and-so Mayor Goodman is!

Many weeks ago, I e-mailed him a complaint about a motorist who was shaken down by the Nevada Highway Patrol, and asked that he intervene, with the ultimate aim of ending the highway robbery.

Post: 07/04/10
http://ijulian.blogspot.com/2010/07/nevada-highway-patrolofficer-del-padre.html

In my communication -  I also informed him that Chief Tony Almaraz turned a blind eye to the obvious scam Nevada Highway Patrol Officers were engaged in - in a deceitful and dishonest attempt to extort monies from innocent tourists and out-of-towners falling prey to the scurillous misconduct of  Law Enforcement Officers at that agency.

Post: 07/08/10

http://ijulian.blogspot.com/2010/07/chief-tony-almarazdeceitful-illegal.html

As of this date, Mayor Goodson hasn''t even given me the courtesy of a reply.

Oh, no!

He'd rather parade around town with a couple of  show-girls on his arm, and cast a blind eye to the injustices that go on in Las Vegas, than show a little "balls" and try to resolve the escalating problem.

Although Las Vegas was named a "cool city" this week (along with New York) it is evident that once an individual scratches the surface that is entirely untrue when it comes to "Sin City".

What goes on in the streets of Las Vegas by Law Enforcement is downright criminal!

I have spied racial profiling on the Vegas strip, pedestrians being stopped and harassed and given tickts, and - of course - was a witness to a shocking incident on an off-ramp near Caesar's Hotel in which an innocent tourist was victimized by a rogue Nevada Highway Patrol Trooper (Officer Del Padre; Badge No 691) who was out to rustle up funds for the public coffers and meet his daily ticket quota.

Las Vegas is not a cool City, and I would urge that tourists and business-men  stay away from the desert Oasis, 'til Mayor Goodson gets off his fat a** and does something constructive.

Shame on you, Mayor Goodson.

You're a sorry excuse for a human being.

Amen!

 

http://www.julianayrs.com

Las Vegas...Aria Hotel pedestrian problem! Flawed archictectural design...

If you've been a pedestrian on the Vegas strip along the stretch where the ritzy Aria Hotel was erected, then you've probably experienced the same difficulty I have in maneuvering from one watering hole to the next in that upscale part of town.

And, the elderly and handicapped, have been struggling with the problem from day one (no doubt).

For example, when pedestrians stroll along the strip towards Aria and the spanking-new City Center Complex, they suddenly encounter a series of walkways which lead  to stairs - and elevators - and then in on into the glittery showcase.

But, what if tourists are inclined to by-pass the long walk up the hill to Aria -  and sashay on down the street to Luxor, MGM, or Mandalay Bay - instead?

Well, it will be a difficult task to accomplish, since they will have to overcome an exhuatings series of hurdles along the way.

When you reflect on the situation for a second, the sinister becomes obvious.

Rather than put a straight stretch of sidewalk (coupled with a pedestrian walkway at the light) along the front of the Hotel, Architects chose the option aforementioned.

Why?

To lure (trap?) folks into their establishment!

Needless to say, I bypass that side of the street altogether now.

It is smoother sailing and less strenuous (and/or confusing) strolling down the strip on the other side where the flow of traffic flows and remains easy to navigate.

http://www.julianayrs.com

San Francisco...fat reckless motorcycle cops! Playing fast & loose with danger...

Romantic San Francisco!

You've got to lay off those doughnuts with sprinkles

Just as I was approaching the curb at a pedestrian crosswalk - a fat motorcycle cop roared around the corner - all chrome and jowly cheeks.

Although it was obvious that I had the right-of-away - the jerk-off had the audacity to squeeze through a space of about 3 feet between me and the sidewalk (and nearly nicked me in the process) as he sped off on his merry way (to the doughnut shop, no doubt)

Maybe I should have made a Citizen's arrest for reckless driving!

All that nasty cholesterol flowing through his veins must have clogged up the old grey matter and clouded his judgment.

Unless he was under a rock when God was handing out brains!

An isolated instance of pig mentality?

No, sir!

The next evening in North Beach, I was just a few steps short of reaching the curb, when one of the city's finest (hauling a** in a squad car by his lonesome) squealed around Kearney headed right in my direction in a devil-may-care fashion.

I did a double-take at the light, to verify I was within my rights to cross, then glanced back towards the speeding vehicle.

The uniformed copper reluctantly slowed, at which point, I continued on my journey the last few steps to the sidewalk.

At this juncture, once I stepped up on the curb, he proceeded to whiz by - and when he did so -  just about jabbed me in the butt with his sideview mirror.

In a town where tourists are inclined to stroll around the quaint little neighborhoods in the Bay area, this kind of wild cowboy behaviour is not acceptable Mayor!

Bastards!

Green means right of way, bozzo!

http://www.julianayrs.com

Pedestrian blues...and a little RR.

I was sprinting across the crosswalk at Canon Drive in Beverly Hills today, when I nearly got struck down by a stately Rolls Royce cruising along at a fast clip.

What did I mutter under my breath?

"Hit me! I need the money."