Passing on the stairs

[tony1941]

Why is it said to be bad luck to pass someone on the stairs? Is it supposed to be general, or just relevant to someone close to you?

[commoner]

Crossing on the stairs is a superstition relating to passing people on stairs. Bad luck was said to befall those who did.

The myth can be traced back to before the invention of the banister, when passing could result in one person falling from the unguarded side....

[nfn]

i think it's something to do with the spiral staircases in castles. it's why we traditionally walk on the left on stairs too, that way your sword arm was handy to swipe at anyone coming towards you. passing on stairs was most definately bad luck then!!!

[nfn]

you were stuffed if you were left handed!

[pega]

commoner is right its not good to pass on the stairs incase someone trips and reaches out and pulls the other person hence would cause an accident and also if a narrow staircase good manners really to get other person space. If someone is coming down stairs I would certainly wait before going upstairs.

[NiceCupOfTea]

Is it bad luck only if you cross on the stairs in opposite directions, or if you overtake someone going in the same direction as well? What (somewhat flippantly) about escalators, as I don't think I've ever not had someone push past me?

[pmoor]

It is also said to be from the time when people regularly had servents, and the servents should not pass there masters no the stairs, as this was considerd rude, and could (probably) result in the sevent being fierd.

On a side note: Left haded sordsmen were accualy considerd an asset, as it was difficult for a right handed swordsman to fight going up stairs (as spiral stairs always went anti(??)clockwise so that the person going up would have less room to swing there sword), and hence hampering invaders to yor castle. There was no such problem for left handed people, but they would only defend on the stairs as a last resort.