Hong Kong has a reputation as a busy, bustling city. The chaotic traffic cedrtainly testifies to that, as does the large crowds of pedestrians that push against and into each other. So it puzzles me greatly that anytime a Hong Konger reaches an escalator they stop dead. This morning, for example, heading the escalator at the Central Post Office I was rudely pushed out the way by a man in a hurry. This is not uncommon. But as soon as his feet hit the escalator he stopped while I casually walked past him up the steps. The only people that ever walk up escalators are tourists or expats. I do not know why. Even more puzzling in this city that drives on the left is why everyone stands on the right when on escalators. I've talked about this before but I cannot grasp the logic behind standing on the side that naturally should be the "overtaking" lane in a city that drives left.

Hong Kong: puzzling Westerners for decades.

It could be worse. It is becoming expensive to take a stroll in a park.