Thirteen Common (But Silly) Superstitions

[Tank]

Thirteen Common (But Silly) Superstitions

If 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? 

[ThinkAnarchy]

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.

[DeterminedJuliet]

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. 

[Stevil]

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.

[The Magic Pudding]

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.

[Gawen]

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*

[Siz]

Nope. No superstition here.

Pragmatism rules...

[MariaEvri]

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

[OldGit]

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.  

[Buddy]

I make a joke of "blessing" Herman's roaches with the holy calcium dust. Must be working, he has gotten fatter. 

[DeterminedJuliet]

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.  

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?

[The Magic Pudding]

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.

[OldGit]

What'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.

[Asherah]

Well, I KNOW that there is definitely no bad luck on Friday the 13th.....because....that's the day my daughter was born 

[OldGit]

You may want to reassess that when she turns into a teenager.