Thirteen Common (But Silly) Superstitions (http://news.discovery.com/human/friday-12-superstitions-121301.html)
QuoteIf you are spooked by Friday the 13th, you're in for a whammy of a year. And it would come as no surprise if many among us hold at least some fear of freaky Friday, as we humans are a superstitious lot.
Many superstitions stem from the same human trait that causes us to believe in monsters and ghosts: When our brains can't explain something, we make stuff up. In fact, a 2010 study found that superstitions can sometimes work, because believing in something can improve performance on a task...
So, do any of these freak you out? ;D
Well, I experienced beginners luck first hand.
The first time I ever played poker in a casino I was terrified. I also didn't realize how cold they kept casinos and didn't bring a jacket. Needless to say, I was sweaty from my initial fear and later freezing from the casino being extremely cold. I think people had a hard time reading me because I was always shaking. I also had good luck that night by hitting trip 3's on flops against pocket AA. Or hitting a full house while my opponent is holding KKK.
I happened to bluff at all the right times and lost hands on purpose occasionally to show the other players I was capable of bluffing.
I don't exactly believe in beginners luck, but I do know luck as well as skill played a hand in my winnings for the 9 hour session.
Also, it wasn't on the list, but I can't help but remember all the strange occurrences during full moons.
- The stab victim that stumbled into the grocery store I was working at, bleeding all over the store, trying to pick up a bottle of liquor only to fall on top the entire display breaking a shit ton of bottles.
That is the only really strange occurrence I can remember, but just the other night an oddly high number of reckless drivers were on the road, so I looked up at the sky and it appeared to be a full moon.
I "knock on wood" for a lot of things. I can't help it. But I consider it more an OCD-ish compulsion than anything I think will really help me. :P
My 3 year old is scared of ghosts and monsters (kind of).
She learnt about them from her children's books that we read her.
One, has a king reading a bedtime story to his little princess.
He goes to turn the light out but his daughter tells him that she is afraid of the dark.
He asks why, and she says that she is afraid of ghosts. He tells her that there is no such thing as ghosts.
His admiral comes in and says, there is no such thing as ghosts, the doctor says there is no such thing as ghosts. The maid says there is no such thing as ghosts.
By the end of the story, when I kiss her goodnight and go to turn the lights out, she pulls the sheets completely over her head to hide from the ghosts.
I guess when I read the book all she hears is ghosts, ghosts, ghosts... probably doesn't understand the "there is no such thing as..." bit.
We use chicken wishbones. No one has been bitten by a snake, spider, or shark so far. This may not be conclusive but I take it as indicative of wishbone efficacy.
I have my lucky penny, prepared by dousing it in my blood.
It's on my keyring and so far it is working, I haven't suffered any road carnage.
I think I may change my approach.
Hanging the iron's cord across the walkway is bad luck.
Moving the furniture around when it is in its most efficient configuration is bad luck.
Watching reality TV, a display of hubris, bad luck. The louder you have it the more unlucky.
Cutting the grass more frequently than every third week, bad luck.
Making tea in a slap dash manner, bad luck.
Leaving phone on the edge of table/bench or chair arm, bad luck.
Clicking the flashing FREE you're the millionth visitor WIN button, bad luck.
Not following a reasonable data back up procedure, bad luck.
Eating too much, smoking and a slovenly lifestyle, bad luck.
Poking your knife in the toaster, bad luck.
There's not a superstitious bone in my body. I have to admit, I'd never heard of the "66" one. I've know of '69' and I ain't no where superstitious of THAT number!!!..*huge wicked 'ol grin*
Nope. No superstition here.
Pragmatism rules...
not me but the girls at my work are freaked out by black cats, witches,evil eye and stuff like that
they are the reason I completely lost my faith in humanity's future
There's one old custom I always observe; when I see a magpie I greet it: "Morning, Mrs Magpie, how are you today?" (Or 'Mr' - I can't tell them apart so I pick one at random.)
I don't believe I'll have bad luck if I don't do this - that's nonsense, obviously. However I do think it's a really quaint old tradition which needs to be remembered.
My mother was born in 1912, the daughter of a farm labourer, and the old traditions she used to talk about would fill a thick book. Greeting magpies is the only one I keep. It's widespread all over England and I know plenty of other people who do it. ;D
I make a joke of "blessing" Herman's roaches with the holy calcium dust. Must be working, he has gotten fatter. ;D
Quote from: OldGit on April 16, 2012, 02:54:24 PM
There's one old custom I always observe; when I see a magpie I greet it: "Morning, Mrs Magpie, how are you today?" (Or 'Mr' - I can't tell them apart so I pick one at random.)
I don't believe I'll have bad luck if I don't do this - that's nonsense, obviously. However I do think it's a really quaint old tradition which needs to be remembered.
My mother was born in 1912, the daughter of a farm labourer, and the old traditions she used to talk about would fill a thick book. Greeting magpies is the only one I keep. It's widespread all over England and I know plenty of other people who do it. ;D
I think that's sweet. I talk to animals all the time. What's the actual tradition? I've never heard of it. Are you supposed to get bad luck if you don't?
Magpies >:(
The magpies here can be annoying bastards.
You'd be wanting a sturdy hat during their nesting season.
Apologists say their gonads are swollen, make allowance.
No body ever did for me so I don't see why I should for them.
I played a lot of golf as a kid, it was cheap if you paid at all.
The threat of attack could really put you off your swing.
Tried to whack 'em once or twice but they've a knack,
keeps em out of range of a long iron most of the time.
Painting eyes on the back of your hat may help.
They do sing a sweet song when they're of a mood.
Quote from: JulietWhat's the actual tradition? I've never heard of it. Are you supposed to get bad luck if you don't?
So they say. Nothing specific AFAIK, just bad luck.
Well, I KNOW that there is definitely no bad luck on Friday the 13th.....because....that's the day my daughter was born :D
You may want to reassess that when she turns into a teenager. ;D
I think the talking to magpies thing is sweet too. If we had any magpies around these parts, I would take it up.
One habit that I've only recently been able to break is kissing my hand and slapping the roof of the car when I drive through a yellow (or maybe a tad bit red) light. It's something we always did in high school for good luck (presumably against getting a ticket or causing a traffic accident.) Hubby swears that this "get lucky" ritual also means that you're wishing to "get lucky" between the sheets, but I think he's just making that up as an excuse.
I've stopped doing it, mostly because I feel silly hanging on to high school habits in my 30's. Next I'll break the habit of running yellow lights. :D
Quote from: Asherah on April 16, 2012, 04:31:47 PM
Well, I KNOW that there is definitely no bad luck on Friday the 13th.....because....that's the day my daughter was born :D
She's obviously not a teenager yet!!! ;)
Quote from: Tank on April 16, 2012, 06:30:19 PM
Quote from: Asherah on April 16, 2012, 04:31:47 PM
Well, I KNOW that there is definitely no bad luck on Friday the 13th.....because....that's the day my daughter was born :D
She's obviously not a teenager yet!!! ;)
I REBUKE THAT IN THE NAME OF JESUS!!! ....oh, wait, that would be superstitous...lol. Jeez, I hope she's a good girl. I'm homeschooling her, so maybe that will make a difference?....only time will tell!
Quote from: Asherah on April 16, 2012, 06:53:46 PM
Quote from: Tank on April 16, 2012, 06:30:19 PM
Quote from: Asherah on April 16, 2012, 04:31:47 PM
Well, I KNOW that there is definitely no bad luck on Friday the 13th.....because....that's the day my daughter was born :D
She's obviously not a teenager yet!!! ;)
I REBUKE THAT IN THE NAME OF JESUS!!! ....oh, wait, that would be superstitous...lol. Jeez, I hope she's a good girl. I'm homeschooling her, so maybe that will make a difference?....only time will tell!
My eldest daughter hit puberty like a brick wall. Chubby pre-teen at 12y6m. 36D boobs and figure to match at 13!!!
Quote from: Tank on April 16, 2012, 07:01:38 PM
Quote from: Asherah on April 16, 2012, 06:53:46 PM
Quote from: Tank on April 16, 2012, 06:30:19 PM
Quote from: Asherah on April 16, 2012, 04:31:47 PM
Well, I KNOW that there is definitely no bad luck on Friday the 13th.....because....that's the day my daughter was born :D
She's obviously not a teenager yet!!! ;)
I REBUKE THAT IN THE NAME OF JESUS!!! ....oh, wait, that would be superstitous...lol. Jeez, I hope she's a good girl. I'm homeschooling her, so maybe that will make a difference?....only time will tell!
My eldest daughter hit puberty like a brick wall. Chubby pre-teen at 12y6m. 36D boobs and figure to match at 13!!!
Oh lord, my daughter is only 3. Don't make me think about these things this early!! :D
Quote from: Asherah on April 16, 2012, 07:18:48 PM
Quote from: Tank on April 16, 2012, 07:01:38 PM
Quote from: Asherah on April 16, 2012, 06:53:46 PM
Quote from: Tank on April 16, 2012, 06:30:19 PM
Quote from: Asherah on April 16, 2012, 04:31:47 PM
Well, I KNOW that there is definitely no bad luck on Friday the 13th.....because....that's the day my daughter was born :D
She's obviously not a teenager yet!!! ;)
I REBUKE THAT IN THE NAME OF JESUS!!! ....oh, wait, that would be superstitous...lol. Jeez, I hope she's a good girl. I'm homeschooling her, so maybe that will make a difference?....only time will tell!
My eldest daughter hit puberty like a brick wall. Chubby pre-teen at 12y6m. 36D boobs and figure to match at 13!!!
Oh lord, my daughter is only 3. Don't make me think about these things this early!! :D
Don't blink then! Once those ten years have passed you'll wonder where they went. And you can never have enough photos!
I never got susperstitions and good luck charms. I have a meaningful necklace from my mom, but i dont think it has super power. ::)
Black cats are adorable.
Buildings without the 13th floor make me cringe at how stupid humanity can be.