Is it rude to walk past someone on the stairs?

[Helpmeup]

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?

I think it's polite to wait if the stairs are narrow, someone is obviously having difficulty using thee stairs, or someone is carrying something awkward.

If the stairs are wide enough for 3-4 people then I think they are just prolonging the time they are away from their desks...

It is the same in our workplace and in my other settings in my experience.

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.

I don't think it's rude as such, but I was always told that it is unlucky (something to do with swords I think).

That's mad. I would only wait if the staircase was narrow. In my workplace we all pass each other.

Rude

I’m of the school of thought that it’s unlucky and I can’t even pass family on my own stairs 🤦🏻‍♀️. I’ve got my entire family around to my way of thinking now 🤷🏻‍♀️

It’s supposed to be bad luck - but I don’t believe in superstitions so would happily cross if there is room.

It’s a superstition my mum (born in 50s) still believes, that it is bad luck (not rude) to cross paths on the stairs.

She used to have a go at me about it as a teenager at home. I used to tell her it was nonsense and that no one at school would get to their lessons if we didn’t cross on stairs.

My Nanna always told us it was bad luck to pass on the stairs!

Same with never crossing knives, throwing surplus salt over your left shoulder and not putting new shoes on the table.

I can’t believe so many people in my workplace believe it’s bad luck though. I’m assuming they must think it’s polite to wait. But I just find it awkward stood there waiting when there’s so much room for me to just walk down the stairs!

I understand its considered bad luck. It's something to do with the days of sword fights- the person coming up the stairs is at a disadvantage.

It’s not rude. Imagine being at the train station and the crowds of people waiting at the top to let the people at the bottom go first. 😂

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 😝

If the stairs are as wide as you say then I can see no reason not to pass. Not rude at all. I have heard of the silly superstition too, my DM used to say it, but no reason to pander to somebody else's daft ideas if you don't believe them.

Haha yes! I also don’t understand how it’s different from passing someone in the street or a corridor. You wouldn’t stand there waiting for someone to finish walking down the corridor before you go would you?! It’s bizarre

We’re a rational and not superstitious tech business, we cross on the stairs all the time 😄 I had no idea it was meant to be bad luck / rude

No, it’s only rude if it is not wide enough for two people to pass easily. I work in a large, busy building with people running up and down the stairs the time - no-one has time for just waiting!

Do you mean passing someone as you’re going up and they’re going down?
That we can do in our park place as we have to walk on the right. We are not allowed to overtake because we have to hold onto the handrail the whole time for safety reasons.

God if we ran on the stairs we would be called out for it! 😅

I was always told its bad luck to cross on the stairs....🤔

Only rude if it’s narrow. Waiting unnecessarily is annoying and can make the person already on the stairs feel rushed.

Imagine how delayed everyone’s day would be if they waited for people to clear a staircase? As long as you’re respectful of their space I wouldn’t see an issue.

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?

If it’s as wide as that then just go for it. If it’s nowhere near wide enough then you should wait, that’s just practical 🤷‍♀️ For me, it’s not about politeness…more practicality.