I went to a college that had an old building with a pair of metal spiral staircases. At the bottom, one was labeled "up" and one was labeled "out." The tradition was that the correct way to use the staircases was in reverse: to descend via the "up" and ascend via the "out."
I had forgotten about those books. I remember loving them as a child. They even had a math book that was full of all kinds of really weird math puzzles.
So I get to Jamaica and ask, "Do I drive on the right side of the road here?" - realizing that was a stupid question, "I mean, which side is correct, should I be closer to the left hand or right hand curb?"
The subway escalators in London, England DO have signs saying "stand on the right" (so that people may rush past on the left without frustration or collision)
YES! You should absolutely find and read all the books in the Wayside series. They're pretty short and you could probably finish them in a day, but they're absolute classics. I read them as a child and they are completely responsible for my ongoing love of the absurd and surreal.
(The author, Louis Sachar, also wrote the very popular "Holes.")
As a North American, I'd always assumed that stair climbing and sidewalk walking customs followed those of driving (or, I suppose more realistically, vice versa). Imagine one's surprise then to find that in the U.K. the walking rules are the same! How to explain those for driving?
Only the escalator rules are "the same" in the UK. There is no correct side of the sidewalk to walk on.
Also, French trains go on the left, even though French cars go on the right. Lots more here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Right-_and_left-hand_traffic
Right next to the sign that says, "Do Not Read This Sign."
ReplyDeleteI went to a college that had an old building with a pair of metal spiral staircases. At the bottom, one was labeled "up" and one was labeled "out." The tradition was that the correct way to use the staircases was in reverse: to descend via the "up" and ascend via the "out."
ReplyDeleteI had forgotten about those books. I remember loving them as a child. They even had a math book that was full of all kinds of really weird math puzzles.
ReplyDeleteSo I get to Jamaica and ask, "Do I drive on the right side of the road here?" - realizing that was a stupid question, "I mean, which side is correct, should I be closer to the left hand or right hand curb?"
ReplyDeleteI loved that book growing up!
ReplyDeleteThe subway escalators in London, England DO have signs saying "stand on the right" (so that people may rush past on the left without frustration or collision)
ReplyDeletephoto here: http://dcist.com/2006/04/12/what_metro_need.php
YES! You should absolutely find and read all the books in the Wayside series. They're pretty short and you could probably finish them in a day, but they're absolute classics. I read them as a child and they are completely responsible for my ongoing love of the absurd and surreal.
ReplyDelete(The author, Louis Sachar, also wrote the very popular "Holes.")
ok, ok. You guys have convinced me. I'll request some of the books from the library.
ReplyDelete:.)
As a North American, I'd always assumed that stair climbing and sidewalk walking customs followed those of driving (or, I suppose more realistically, vice versa). Imagine one's surprise then to find that in the U.K. the walking rules are the same! How to explain those for driving?
ReplyDeleteOnly the escalator rules are "the same" in the UK. There is no correct side of the sidewalk to walk on.
ReplyDeleteAlso, French trains go on the left, even though French cars go on the right. Lots more here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Right-_and_left-hand_traffic
Those books where great. I will have to get them for DD6 at some point in the future.
ReplyDelete