While watching a national pageant recently, I could not help noticing one of the girls in the Top 5 descending the stairs very ungraciously. She was wearing a tight evening gown that flared just a bit at the bottom. Instead of stepping down with one foot on each step, she had to step down with the right foot, then the left foot on the same step. It was very awkward! Of course, safety comes first, but if your gown is too tight to descend stairs graciously, you need to wear a different style of gown.
I was taught that you stand at the top of the stairs with your head held high and shoulders back. Turn your body at slight angle away from the stair rail and place your hand on the rail. Don't grip the rail unless you start to fall. If there is no rail, you are on your own. Glide down the stairs gracefully. This takes practice, practice, practice y'all.
Above all, please don't clunk all the way down the stairs in a loud and tacky fashion.
6 comments:
You are the best Miss Janice!
Amen. I recently went on a tour of a historic home. When some of the tourists descended the stairs, I was seriously concerned that the magnificent mahogany banister would not survive the ordeal. They were clutching and literally pulling on the banister with each step. These were middle aged and younger people! They were not infirmed as far as I could tell. The poor docent looked terrified.
I have to laugh. I went to a girls school in the greater Philadelphia area and we were taught to turn ever so slightly toward the rail as a lady never cranes her neck to the side or looks behind her. The rail was touched lightly to enhance balance. Some years after I attended, the stair case became a moot point. A shame since now days most people have the posture of a fully kitted Sherpa.
*Blushing*
All little girls should go through this training!
Hmmm :)
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