Another hidden danger of Hong Kong!

Tiny steps on stairways.

Have I mentioned this? Back in one of those “random observations” thing?

I’ve lasted three months, going up and down flights of stairs with steps about six inches deep. Will I survive another?

This is a more pressing concept, again, now that I am back in the Wan Chai apartment. Because the 16 steps leading up to the elevator are made for the pitter-patter of tiny feet.

I certainly don’t have boats for feet. Size 11, max.

But steps here seem to be made for people with size 6 feet. For children. For women. Maybe for childlike women.

At no point is my entire foot on the typical flight of stairs — and certainly not the one leading to Thomson Road.

I have to pay attention. I have to catch those steps just right. Not so far clear of the previous step that I don’t catch enough … and tumble down the stairs … and not so intent on maximizing my landing place that I clip the back of the previous step … and tumble down the stairs.

Why are steps so small?

It could be small feet. Sure. If only Western galoots have big (or even semi-big) feet, then why bother making big steps just for them?

It could come back to the ongoing space-crunch in Asia/China/Hong Kong. All horizontal space is dear, so if we can cheat a little on a flight of 16 steps … the building commences several feet sooner.

I believe both are at work.

It’s not just the old apartment building. I sometimes take the stairs in the subway system, and all of them are shallow, too. Probably another good reason to take the escalator: You’re less likely to pitch down the steps.

Anyway, I have this fear that I will miss a step and do a couple of somersaults going down the steps, breaking this or that bone, and won’t I feel stupid — as well as in great pain.

So far, I’ve paid enough attention that I haven’t fallen. But I have another six weeks here. There’s time. I must be vigilant!