New Superstitions

[shybearuk]

After a discussion with my friend, we came to the conclusion that all superstitions must have a 'genesis', and decided to make one up to see how far it spread, for a bit of fun, with some level of success. If you're interested, it was 'Eat off wood, It'll do you no good', which I though was pretty catchy, and apt, as one of my other friends was sampling my spag bol with a wooden spoon. Has anyone else ever done this? And a second part to the question, are there any (REAL) 'new' superstitions?

[katejess]

Never trust a man in white shoes (not trainers....shoes)!!!

[shybearuk]

Thank God. I don't own ANY white footwear... Even my trainers are black. Is this a real, new superstition, katejess, or one that you have tried to spread? ;o)

[chijiki]

A superstition is an irrational belief so there's bound to be plenty shared only by a few people or even a person in isolation. Where I come from there are so many superstitions that we seem to be learning them all the time.
Some examples;
If the sum of the left 3 numbers on your bus ticket equals the sum of the 3 numbers on the right, you have to eat your ticket or face bad luck.
Odd numbers of flowers are for the living and even numbers for the dead. It is very bad luck for a person to receive an even number of flowers.
Don't whistle indoors or it will blow your money away.
If you leave a place and have to return, then you must look in a mirror and adjust your hair or clothing otherwise you will have bad luck.
We are always knocking on unpolished wood and spitting 3 times over the left shoulder.

[woodpam]

If you spat three times over either shoulder near me you'd be guaranteed very bad luck.

[treaclefight]

superstitions, old wives tales...all known in our house as football fan paranoia. the average football crowd will be host to a huge number of irrational superstitions, "we won last week, so i'll make sure i have exactly the same breakfast this week and then we'll win again" etc etc. i knew a group of QPR fans who used to make it their mission to get a 207 bus to run over a green jelly baby on the way to every home game. there are loads more football ones

[chijiki]

Woodpam your answer made me chuckle loudly.
Please be assured that we don't actually spit spittle; we just make a spiiting gesture.

[xyzzy@bok]

The most superstitious group of people are in fact, astronauts, so modern superstitions must abound in their lives. Also, i expect there are internet superstitions by now.. like not going online on April 1st - or is that just common sense? My modern superstition is to never download the necronomic* or even mention it's name in full - i already lost one pc that way.. and people say it's just a work of fiction, pah!

[katejess]

I'm just trying to spread this one! Although, in my defence, I do believe it. Especially when combined with open shirts, medallions, excessively hairy chests and trousers that leave little to the imagination!

[Lennon]

This has really brought back some memories for me. Some of the one's we did when we were a kid, was don't walk on 3 drains in a row on the pavement, 2 is good luck, 3 is bad luck. Saluting when you see a magpie or saying good morning to it (?!!!!??) and pinching each other on the arm when you see a royal mail van! I have no idea where that last one came from, but it caused a few bruises on me arms as we drove past a royal mail depot on the way to school each morning!! LOL :)

[treaclefight]

the saluting magpies thing is one that i do, but i only do it to magpies that are alone, they pair for life and so a single one has recently lost its partner, salute out of respect (i apreciate the other one could be the other side of the tree or something, but you know what i mean)

[xyzzy@bok]

necronomo.. supposed grimoire of real magic from ancient mage.. nope, i won't be drawn.. you google for it - actually don't.

[chef]

shybearuk - Mrs Chef always used to cut off a chunk off meat, before roasting it. I couldn't understand why, thought it was some kind of gratitude thing. One day I asked why? reply, "because my mum did it". Asked ma-in-law, reply, "my mum did it". Fortunately gran was still with us, still had her mind, but no teeth, asked her why reply, " we only had one baking tin, and the joint was often to big to fit in it" doh!

[xyzzy@bok]

yes chef, - and Paul Young: 'Everytime you go away you take a piece of meat with you'; so he knew your gran?

[mikewith]

chef - you get my vote for post of the week!

[Andromeda]

TJ. Necronomicon - "book of dead names" Check here: http://www.digital-brilliance.com/necron/necron.ht
m See xyzzy - I'm not scared of it (thought I am of AC!)