Malaysians received praise on social media for standing on the left of escalators to allow others to walk past on the right.
A SIMPLE escalator habit has become a talking point online, with Malaysians praised for standing on the left and leaving the right side clear for those in a hurry.
The practice was highlighted by Threads user @yinuwwwuu, whose post garnered almost 30,000 likes and nearly 600 comments.
“I love Malaysian people. Left for relaxing, right for rushing. That’s us,” the user wrote.
Several Threads users praised the practice, saying it reflected consideration for others in public spaces.
User @kelvintan.zy wrote: “Yeah, some of them whose friends are on the right blocking will gently move their friends away. Respect for Malaysians! All of you are my heroes!”
Meanwhile, @pojiegram said: “We are culturally mannered people. It is just within us.”
Another user, @putihmelati30, expressed pride in the country’s public etiquette.
“Grateful to live in Malaysia, where there are no selfish people pushing or scrambling to get onto the escalator. I love Malaysia and am proud to be Malaysian,” the user added.
Beyond escalators, some users said the same consideration could be seen in the way Malaysians queue in public places.
User @tsya666 wrote: “And I notice that we will always, always, always queue. There is no scrambling for anything. Whether the toilet is full or the lift is full, everyone remains patient.”
Similarly, @coconuttmatchaaa praised the practice, saying: “I really love this system!! On highways as well as on escalators, this system helps!!!”
However, not everyone agreed that the practice was ideal.
User @azmanrocks raised concerns about escalator safety and maintenance, arguing that standing on one side could result in uneven wear.
“Unpopular opinion: Doing this will damage the escalator. The load is uneven. The left side bears more weight. There will be more wear and tear. The dynamic force from footsteps, especially when walking down the escalator, will cause it to break down faster.
“It is dangerous. Falling on stairs hurts, but falling on an escalator hurts even more. For adults bringing young children, it is safer to simply stand side by side,” the user wrote.