When the escalator is not working...

...why do I stutter on the first steps?   I have a few theories:

• The first steps have variable rise -- in normal stairways the rise is constant.
  
• The expectation that it should move is violated -- the disbelief may be confusing.
• The treads are striped -- this may give visual disorientation.

Best Before

Am I the only one still finding cryptic expiry dates on products?
This one (click to zoom out) is particularly bad.   Thanks to Google I was able to figure out that 334 is November 31st, 12:48 is probably when it was packed, but I still don't know the year.

Chewing gum

Not sure why, but when I'm chewing a gum I feel about 10% tougher.

Does the act of chewing boost confidence?   Just like with cigarettes for smokers...

Is it the mechanical action per se, or does it recall a stereotype created by the media?