Or old furniture with the swoops and carvings. Now I think about it, what I've found scary is those decorative metal plates they put in the gables of old farmhouses. Or those flue covers they use to block off old openings in a chimney, they look like an upside down metal paper plate and often have scary suns and things painted on them.
I think what is being referred to is not a doorknob, but a pivoting handle. Someone coming from the other side and twisting your wrist or jamming your fingers. I usually just push those one way with the palm of my hand.
Same here, even though I live in the state with the most registered boats, in one of the biggest boating areas. Ships I think are scary.
Klaustrophobic. Comes with age. You're not as nimble anymore and can linger your way out from tight spaces. But elevators, flight cabins, I have no problems with. But cars. If we're 5 people in a car, I'd rather be driving, or sitting in the passengers seat. I must have a door next to me, not 2 persons at each side. At concerts, it has come to such a head, that if I am in the audience at a large outdoor standing room only festival I keep myself in back of the soundman desk, that behind my back there's so much space that I can split if some nasty things happen. I have to have my back free and as escape route. Never been a front of stage headbanger anyway.
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