Page 2 | Is it rude to walk past someone on the stairs?

Helpmeup · 2025-08-07T09:55:37+00:00

At my workplace, people don’t pass each other on the stairs. If someone reaches the staircase and there is already someone going up or down, they wait at the top or bottom for them to finish using the stairs. I don’t really understand why, it’s very wide and can probably fit 3 or 4 people next to each other, so the space isn’t the issue. Is it considered rude? If so, why?

Panda89 · 07/08/2025 13:12

I noticed this on a cruise ship last year, the stairs are mega wide and I’d estimate 50% of people refused to cross. I was baffled and asked DH to explain why and he said some people think it’s bad luck. Never heard of it before!! Seemed a bit bonkers to me.

Gowlett · 07/08/2025 13:11

I always wait for other stairs users in shops etc…
Not sure I would in work? Unless it was the boss.

hydriotaphia · 07/08/2025 13:10

Yes I think it's polite to wait if it means passing close by. It's about giving people some personal space.

MferMonsterSearchingForRedemption · 07/08/2025 13:09

I don't like crossing people on the stairs, which annoys my children at times!

The only exception is when I'm out shopping or in another very busy area with stairs because it would take a very long time for me to get down them if I waited for everyone else. I don't like doing it, but it's not practical to wait then.

I think it's a bit rude and I was also told it was bad luck.

Shedmistress · 07/08/2025 13:08

What would happen if you stepped onto the stairs at work when someone was already on them?

Boredlass · 07/08/2025 13:05

Crazy how many people on here believe superstitions. I even walk under ladders. It’s all bollocks

Morningsleepin · 07/08/2025 13:02

dragonfly52 · 07/08/2025 12:45

That's what my mum told me. " don't cross on stairs its bad luck "
I don't cross on stairs, I wait for the other person to pass.

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My secondary school was full of stairs, how did you manage to obey your mum at that age?

Aquababe73 · 07/08/2025 13:00

YANBU .... There's some old wives tale about it being bad luck to pass on the stairs but if stairs are wide enough not a problem. On a narrow staircase (2 people wide) I think it would be reasonable to wait due to personal space but seriously who has time in the working day to wait for people to go up or down the stairs. Is it gender specific at all? Ie men waiting for women to finish on the stairs?

chilliheeler123 · 07/08/2025 12:52

Callipygion · 07/08/2025 12:48

Exactly what I was thinking! What about in M&S (for eg) on their stairs or at the railway station, or even on the underground, you have to stand to one side on the escalators and people run down the other. Does the “unlucky” vibe not work there? Hahaha people are bonkers.

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No, I only use Tube stations with step-free access and avoid any and all shops that might require me to use the stairs, just in case I have to pass someone.

Callipygion · 07/08/2025 12:48

PollyBell · 07/08/2025 11:15

So what happens in public places that have stairs and are packed, why would it not be bad lack or rude there but but other places it is?

Exactly what I was thinking! What about in M&S (for eg) on their stairs or at the railway station, or even on the underground, you have to stand to one side on the escalators and people run down the other. Does the “unlucky” vibe not work there? Hahaha people are bonkers.

dragonfly52 · 07/08/2025 12:45

Ryeman · 07/08/2025 10:58

Isn't there an old wives' tale about it being bad luck to pass on the stairs? YANBU to pass if there are wide enough.

That's what my mum told me. " don't cross on stairs its bad luck "
I don't cross on stairs, I wait for the other person to pass.

NaughtyTortieOwner00 · 07/08/2025 12:41

Never heard the bad luck thing.

If the staircase is wide enough I'm surpised people don't just go up.

I'd hate to have someone impatiently waiting at the bottom of a stair case as I do take time - (dsypraxia and a histroy with steps) it would feel like pressure to hurry up and risk tripping more and I'd frankly find it PA if the staircase was wide enough it wasn't nessary.

Pugsy99 · 07/08/2025 12:38

This is the first time im hearing about this lol!! If that was the case it would be an excellent excuse for being late lol. 😂

UsingAMansNameInAWomensWorld · 07/08/2025 12:38

ithinkilikethislittlelife · 07/08/2025 11:04

I don’t put new shoes on the table either. I’ve been known to fling myself across the room to stop my kids from doing it. Saves the house being cursed 😝

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I've watched Blood Brothers too many times to put new shoes on the table
I always hear a coarse Liverpudlian accent sing when I think of it 🤣

JifNtGif · 07/08/2025 12:37

Plot twist. OP works in a castle turret.

TurnThatLightOn · 07/08/2025 12:36

From Yorkshire and yeah, have it etched in my brain that it's bad luck to cross on the stairs.

spoonbillstretford · 07/08/2025 12:35

It's considered bad luck to pass someone on the stairs. But in some places you would be waiting all day to have the stairs to yourself. Ours at work are slightly winding and have a slightly narrow tread, so we tend to go one at a time.

I sometimes get vertigo/BPPV on stairs/escalators so like to have somewhere to hang on to just in case I feel unsteady, which means I wait for others to clear them on more narrow flights sometimes. But at other times you just have to go for it!

TheNightingalesStarling · 07/08/2025 12:29

Covid hangover?

I've never seen this. Obviously different when the staircase is narrow.
Maybe its regional?

evtheria · 07/08/2025 12:26

If it’s wide enough (3 pax) for two to pass each other without squeezing or turning their bodies then I think it’s fine… I only read about it being rude on MN around a year ago, never heard of it before!

DappledThings · 07/08/2025 12:25

Never seen this other than on spiral staircases of ancient castles! Very odd. Everyone goes up and down stairs in opposite directions at the same time here.

Pennyforyourthoughtsplease · 07/08/2025 12:22

How bizarre, it makes sense if they are narrow but otherwise not. And I have never experienced this!

Original poster

Helpmeup · 07/08/2025 12:20

Seeline · 07/08/2025 12:16

I can't say I have ever noticed this - I've lived in the UK all my life.
Maybe because I'm in London - people would just get flattened if they stood waiting to use stairs in stations or on the Tube. We always had two way traffic on the stairs at school, as have my DCs. Shopping centres, car parks, shops - if the stairs are wide enough (and even if they're not in some places), I have never seen people waiting!

I haven’t seen it anywhere else tbh, only in the office where I work

OP posts:

Seeline · 07/08/2025 12:16

I can't say I have ever noticed this - I've lived in the UK all my life.
Maybe because I'm in London - people would just get flattened if they stood waiting to use stairs in stations or on the Tube. We always had two way traffic on the stairs at school, as have my DCs. Shopping centres, car parks, shops - if the stairs are wide enough (and even if they're not in some places), I have never seen people waiting!

Hillrunning · 07/08/2025 12:02

This was brought up in a 'strange things about the UK' thread a while ago. It boggles my mind. The stairs at work could very comfortably fit large 3 people abreast. Yet we all wait at the top or bottom while other poor sods speed up their journey and smile awkwardly.

Stade197 · 07/08/2025 11:38

Yes this happens at my workplace! Stairs wide enough for a few people but most people wait at the top or bottom, one of the older guys always stops and says "we can't pass on the stairs we'll end up with ginger twins" 🤔