I can’t go down stairs/steps without looking where my foot is going. I see people in real life or in movies walking down stairs in a house or steps in front of a building/courthouse/etc while talking and not looking as if it were nothing. Except for the two steps on my porch, I can’t do that. Anyone else this way?
— Jormungandr, The Straight Dope
Apparently some people don’t have any trouble if they’re familiar with the stairs. Some have to look, and one person says he has trouble if he looks and thinks about it. Somehow it confuses him and he’s more apt to stumble.
I looked this question up because I was watching a video and saw a couple talking and trotting down a staircase, not paying any attention to the steps. That would not be us. Andy and I not only look, we use a handrail. What about you?
May 27, 2022
I go up and down stairs carefully holding the railing.
In the last couple of years they’ve become hard for me.
Unfortunately my bedroom and bath are upstairs.
My cats litter boxes, their feeding station, my tools are all in my basement.
So I’m going up and down stairs constantly.
Oh well!
I don’t have to use the railing going up as long as I’m not carrying something, but I’m not taking any chances going down. 😀
I used to go up and down stairs easily all the time never giving stairs a thought.
but the last apartment complex where I lived had a long flight of concrete stairs. they became more difficult for some reason. I could see myself falling head over heels down them and winding up dead! even holding to the rail.
I once fell while going UP them! I now live in a downstairs apartment in a different complex. I like it so much better. and then… I fell flat on my face INSIDE my apartment here. go figure! it is what it is. 🙂 xo
I’m so glad you moved. Please be careful!
I used to be able to go up and down stairs without looking. Now I watch each step and hold the railing. There are a lot of things I used to be able to do. 🙂
Amen to that! I do laugh more now, though. That’s worth a lot.
Me too, for SURE!!! I have trouble with balance, and in larger stores need a scooter. Cannot even use steps anymore. I was just thinking the other day how when I am walking, I cannot look up to see anything or I will lose my balance. When people run or skip, I am amazed, even though I used to do it myself in the long ago past.
I know. 🙂
looking at the steps, clutching the handrail. I have always done that even when young, not one athletic gene in my body.
You are smart to be careful.
Y’know, I never really put any thought in whether I look or not …it just comes automatically. I guess I look sometimes and other times not so much.
It depends on how familiar you are with the stairs, I’m guessing. Also the type of stairs, some have room enough to support the whole foot, some don’t.
I did not have to look so much when I was younger or use a handrail. Now I do both.
It’s best to be safe. 🙂
What an interesting thought! Now that you mention it … yes. Both to looking and holding onto something. Hard to believe, only 4 years ago I was more at home in 3″ heels than sneakers. How times have changed!
I haven’t worn heels in years, and I don’t miss them!
I don’t “feel the need” to hang onto a handrail on any of the five sets of stairs at our home…it’s my job to carry stuff up and down the basement stairs because Hunky Husband feels the need to hang onto the handrail (and he’s the one with excellent hand-eye coordination!) I do, however, try to remember to use handrails when my hands are free. It is just good sense for an 84-year-old woman whose hand-eye coordination is atrocious.
Stay safe!
I have to say I am very cautious and aware of where I am walking. I would not be walking without looking down at my feet. Also when I’m walking, just in general, I am very persistent on making sure I am walking “heal toe, heal toe” so I won’t trip and fall.
Good!
I’m past the age of walking down stairs without looking.
🙂
I tend to use the handrail or look for an elevator – or course at my home it’s a set of 7 steps and no elevator in sight!
I used to run up and down stairs but no longer…as I slipped on some carpeted stairs in the old place and landed smack bang at the base and a door…didn’t hurt anything, other bruises. Here also not keen on racing down steps – the front steps only has one handrail, the other side fall in a rough bit of land…
It’s best to take care!