That one floor of stairs comes up frequently in conversation at my work place. I am firmly on the side of the lift users.

I do have an expression “If god had intended us to use stairs she would never have invented lifts” (It tends to cause the maximum offence in the minimum time!)

If you were to look at me you would not label me disabled, especially when I’m running to the lift.

But there is something about my legs and stairs that really don’t mix. Sometimes at home I take the first few steps going up on all fours.

A lot of people have minor disabilities that don’t mean that stairs are impossible, but they’ve made a calculation that it’s just pleasanter to use a lift when available.

In a previous work place I was on good terms with someone whose job involved her walking between the ground and first floor twenty or thirty times a day. Sometimes she walked but mainly she got the lift.

I also use the excuse (partly seriously) that drinks should not be carried on the stairs. Of course we all do it at home, but many is the time where one encounters evidence of spills (that often aren’t reported) presenting a slip hazard to others.

My kids hate me because I always make them use the stairs at the carpark in town. My argument is that we have legs so we’re going to use them, plus it feels like freedom to me after years of having to wait for the lift with pushchair in tow.

Apparently this makes me a mean and cruel mother, but despite it being 6 flights of stairs they’re really shallow and are probably only worth 3.

Plus, I really like to feel smug when I beat all the lazy sods who used the lift, especially going down with no heavy bags to heft to their car. (Though I do agree with Gert that you can’t tell when there’s a genuine reason that make stairs unwise).