How not to ride an escalator

by Annie Scott on


How not to ride an escalator.

1. Do not step backward.
2. Do note sit down.
3. Do not, at any point, attempt a triple salchow.

According to MallCop6, who posted this video on YouTube, “The dude didn’t get hurt at all.” Otherwise, this would really be too mean to post. Also, the camera is pulled back far enough that we can’t see who this actually is. If we could identify this man, we would, again, feel it was too mean to post.

However, since he looks like he’s fine and we can’t see who he is, and he totally pulled a 360°, artistically commendable, epic escalator fail? We’re sharing.

This is one example of many ways not to ride an escalator. More rules after the jump.

4. Do not attempt multiple backwards somersaults.

5.Do not ski (keep watching, he rides up the escalator first before the awesomeness kicks in).

Lasty, and perhaps most importantly:
6. Do not wear Crocs. (Ever.)

Thrill Seekers Can Swim Nose to Nose with Crocs in Australia

by Josh Lew on

Adventurers needn’t head to the Outback to get a taste of what it is like to be eye-to-eye with Australian wildlife. A new attraction at Crocosaurus Cove, in Darwin, Northern Territory, allows divers to come within inches of giant saltwater crocodiles. A mask and swimsuit is all that is required for those who want to enter the “Cage of Death.” The transparent “cage” is made from 5-inch-thick acrylic. It moves on runners through 4 croc pens housing animals that 18 feet long and weigh over 1 ton. The “ride” takes about 20 minutes.

Despite their legendary status, crocodiles attacks are rare. Warning signs are displayed on lakes and rivers inhabited by the giant beasts. On average, there are only 1 or two croc-related deaths per year. That probably doesn’t lessen the amount of adrenaline that comes from being face-to-face with the toothy creatures, separated by only 5 inches of glass.

[Via Reuters]

Gadling TAKE FIVE: Week of June 6–June 13

by Jamie Rhein on

Sorry to have missed last week’s Take FIVE post, but I was off in Hocking Hills, Ohio without WiFi, something I didn’t expect. In a few hours I’ll be heading to Tennessee. Who knows what will happen when I leave the house? Therefore, here’s this week’s Take Five before I go.

With summer travel comes footwear choices. Abha, Iva and Heather all had something to say about shoes. Flip-flops, Crocs or stew shoes? Which ones are safer? What about fashion?

Along with thinking about footwear options, summer is a time you can learn new things. Matthew has some suggestions for singing karaoke with the best of them. And, Aaron passes along tips about a Turkish bath.

Since I missed last week, here are a few more summer tidbits. Erik offers up sunburn advice, Kent knows just how to savor a meal in Paris and Jeremy provides details about GPS and location services to help you get where you’re going.

Happy Friday the 13th, Happy Father’s Day, and enjoy the weekend. As for me, I have to pack.

Another reason not to wear Crocs

by Iva Skoch on

Crocs, the ugly and expensive plastic footwear that miraculously got fashionable, is facing yet another publicity nightmare. A couple of days ago, Grant wrote about a sign at the Tokyo airport informing people that Crocs get get stuck in escalators and cause injuries.

Well, it is here, folks. According to WSBTV, another small child’s foot has been mangled by the combination of the especially-grippy Crocs clogs and a moving escalator. The result: “three broken toes; one toe was severed down to the bone and they called it a ‘dirty wound’ because they had escalator grease in there.” Ouch.

Crocs are already being sued over another incident. There have apparently been 77 entrapment incidents since January 2006, with about half resulting in injury. All but two of the incidents involved popular soft-sided flexible clogs and slides.

Maybe, just maybe, this will finally make people stop loving those awful things. Crocs are not only ugly, overpriced and make your feet smell bad, but they are also dangerous. That should do it.

{via The Consumerist]

Do escalators eat Crocs?

by Grant Martin on

I’ve been slow to catch on to the whole Croc trend, even though I hear that they’re crazy comfortable. Maybe it’s because I can’t seem to pull away from the Birkenstock trend or maybe it’s because I think they look kind of goofy. That’s fine. I’ve never been the pinnacle of style anyway.

Passing through the Tokyo airport the other day though, I saw this sign posted at the top of the escalator with a photo of our favorite polymer shoes on them. It says:

“Caution! There have been many reports of accidents in which people’s resin sandals have got caught in the escalators.”

I had no idea that there was an issue with Crocs and moving stairs. I guess I’m most surprised that some American hasn’t tried to sue Crocs for a million zillion dollars because their foot got stuck in an escalator or for “wrongful imprisonment.” Has anyone had a problem with Crocs on escalators? Should I call the fire marshal?

Either way, watch your step when you’re on the escalator at the mall this weekend. You could be in danger!