The escalators at metro subway stations provide an unusual stage by which to "people watch."
I'd say most of us hold onto the handrail or our hand hovers above the handrail if we decide to cautiously walk while the escalator is moving. Some people just hold on and stand in order to read a book or newspaper during their trip.
But some people are so nimble and confident!
I have seen people walk (or run!) down a long escalator ride texting on their phones (ergo using both hands) and not looking at anything but that phone! There are some who carry a small child positioned on a hip and jog the escalator.
How can they do that, I would marvel. What if they trip? It must happen sometimes – mustn't it? They surely wouldn't survive such a fall or would be seriously hurt.
Then one day I was standing and holding the handrail on an up escalator, boring normal stuff, I know. But out of nowhere, the escalator came to a crashing STOP. I guess it just suddenly broke somehow. I squeezed the handrail but it was reflexive as I was fine. I was startled and looked around.
Everyone was looking at everyone else but we were all in one piece. (I am guessing there were no acrobats using the escalators at that time, thank goodness.) Within about a minute, before I could start walking up, the escalator started moving again. So I stood and patiently waited to get to the top.
I guess I felt validated to be a boring, cautious rider. I was safe and happy and just a little startled. But, weirdly, as I walked home, I felt uneasy thinking about those who take a whole lot for granted, and what that sudden stop might have done to their lives.