What are the strangest superstitions you've witnessed?

[Storyteller01]

With all of the threads out right now on 'What is Evil?', it's become apparent that belief plays a big part in that perception. I'd like to learn more on this, so I'm asking you folks to give examples on unusual superstitions or beliefs. Everyone here seems well educated, and the fields of expertise appear to be rather extensive...

NOTE: I don't want a religion bashing thread here. I'm looking for examples of the beliefs of specific individuals. 'Catholics believe ...' doesn't count, but something like 'So and so believed eating pages of the Bible cured illness...' might (although that may be straetching it. Let me know if I'm off base). Also, just because it doesn't work for everyone doesn't mean it doesn't work at all.

Keep an open mind, and let's have fun!!

PS: Try not to out 'gross' each other 'kay?

 

[s/LaSH]

I've heard that, in Asia (or South-East Asia), pointing at someone with your forefinger is widely considered to be magic-evil or insulting (I can't remember which).

And luck is supposed to be catching in such regions. A relative's relative won the lottery, and had people assembling outside his house for years afterwards. (Note, however, that he was a foreigner, thus perhaps more special than other winners - foreigners are not always held in high regard there, from what I've heard, or he might have misunderstood the situation.)

These are just stories I've heard from a single source, so I'm not sure of their prevalence or authenticity.

 

[Andrew D. Gable]

I'm not sure how prevalent it is, but a superstition among some older folks I've met is that after you kill a snake, you have to smash its head. Kind gross, but it might date back to an old Scottish superstition that this needed to be done, or the snake could become a beithir (some sort of funky Highland eel-thing, also behir).

 

[der_kluge]

My Grandma was overly superstitious. If she wanted you to pass the salt at dinner, you had to set the salt down on the table before she would take it. In other words, it couldn't leave your hand to hers, it had to be sat down first.

She also said once that to get rid of a wart it had to be rubbed with a "new potato" (whatever that is) and wrapped in a kitchen cloth and buried under the front porch.

There were others. My Mom was going to try to catalogue them all one time, but never did.

 

[Nifft]

This one guy was telling me that if you post about the Chupacabra on the internet, it'll come and *()^Y(ued*&()/*$%-CARRIER LOST

 

[johnsemlak]

A lot of Russians believe it you whistle indoors it leads to financial loss. Since I love to whistle this a caused a few problems.

 

[Storyteller01]

I'm not sure how prevalent it is, but a superstition among some older folks I've met is that after you kill a snake, you have to smash its head. Kind gross, but it might date back to an old Scottish superstition that this needed to be done, or the snake could become a beithir (some sort of funky Highland eel-thing, also behir).

Could also be because a dead snake can still bite

I had been taught to bury the head. Keeps the dogs and yourself from accidentally getting bit, especially while cleaning (Mmmmmm... tastes just like chiken).

 

[Berandor]

A lot of Russians believe it you whistle indoors it leads to financial loss. Since I love to whistle this a caused a few problems.

So... are you rich, or not?

 

[johnsemlak]

So... are you rich, or not?

Opens wallet

Hmm, maybe the superstition is true


This coming from a man who just ordered the World's Largest Dungeon and 6 WotC titles and had them shipped overseas; I guess I'm doing OK.