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Worldbuilding

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  • $\begingroup$ Only counterclockwise but clockwise is fine too? So ... what are you asking? $\endgroup$
    – rek
    Commented Jan 23, 2021 at 3:43
  • $\begingroup$ @rek - I meant one direction, whichever it is. If there's some reason clockwise is easier to justify than counterclockwise then clockwise is fine. I'll remove the clause since it appears to be confusing. $\endgroup$
    – Andrew Cheong
    Commented Jan 23, 2021 at 3:45
  • 1
    $\begingroup$ "counterclockwise with respect to standing upright against gravity" would involve a complex set of stairs. $\endgroup$
    – John
    Commented Jan 23, 2021 at 4:51
  • 3
    $\begingroup$ "Cultural reasons like superstition seem kind of cheap—but more interesting proposals are welcome." actually we already do this. Not uniformly around the world but overall people are expected to keep to one side of the road when walking. This isn't enforced and you don't literally see just two rows of people walking but it's still a thing. Places like stores or airports with escalators have signs saying "stay on the right", so it's more enforced. Others around you would also remind you of this rule, especially if somebody is in a hurry and you're blocking their way because you're not right. $\endgroup$
    – VLAZ
    Commented Jan 23, 2021 at 14:58
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    $\begingroup$ This creates a "micro-culture" of sorts when using these facilities. So, travellers, shopgoers, etc would be more likely to follow and reinforce the "keep to the right" rule on escalators. Similar thing can happen on the streets but it's less reinforced. Still, some feel walking on the left (for example) quite rude and would, at the very least, silently judge you for it. Some places might have a stronger societal agreement around where people walk. So, the culture reason doesn't need to be something like "superstition" nor is it even outrageous in our society. Different upbringing is enough. $\endgroup$
    – VLAZ
    Commented Jan 23, 2021 at 15:02