FRI 13th doesn’t (really) bother me….
I am one of those people who doesn’t truly believe (but maybe just a little) in superstitions. But they do cross my mind, and some more than others.
I avoid walking under a ladder, but will if there is no other way around it.
But I don’t mind black cats crossing my path because black cats are cool. I want a black cat.
Same for seeing owls in daylight portending death – on the contrary, I’m thrilled whenever I see an owl in daylight and usually talk to it.
I’ve never broken a mirror so not sure how I would feel if it happened.
I kinda believe an itchy palm means good luck is on the way, because why not?
And I never pass a penny on the ground for the same reason.
My sister and I used to play crack-the-wishbone when we were kids – but I didn’t pass this on to my children since I now think it’s gruesome to make a contest out of breaking a breastbone.
I usually avoid opening an umbrella inside mostly because it’s awkward.
For some reason, knocking on wood really bugs me because it seems to be one type of person who constantly does this – do you know what I mean? (If you do that I apologize for stereotyping.)
Tossing salt over the shoulder is ridiculous.
But I have been known to spend hours searching for four leaf clovers.
I also believe ladybugs, crickets, butterflies are all good omens.
As for the number 13….pshaw.
I do have my own weird brand of “Mom” superstitions which generally involve my over-protective nature: I don’t like telling someone to have a “safe” trip because I feel if I say it, I’ll jinx it, and they won’t. So I usually say, have a “good” trip. And when my kids drive out of the driveway, I feel like I have to watch them drive all the way out before I can do anything. (This can take awhile with my son who likes to experiment with the remote garage door opener from the top of the driveway.)
But I have to admit, my favorite superstition of all is
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDZFf0pm0SE
Any others out there you want to share??
Tags: charms, Friday the 13th, good luck, luck, omens, superstition
8 comments 
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November 13th, 2009 at 3:17 pm
The one that immediately comes to mind involves my socks and shoes. I always put the right one on before the left, but if I absentmindedly put on the left before the right I feel like my whole day will be affected. And I can’t undo it!
It looks like, for the most part, you believe in all the good superstitions, but not the bad ones!
November 13th, 2009 at 4:01 pm
Excsue me but since when does an itchy palm mean good luck?????
November 13th, 2009 at 6:16 pm
I never think of myself as superstitious but after reading some of these and adding a few of my own “sports” supertstitions I am absolutely certifiably superstitious. I do like the #13 though and always have. I used to request that number for my sports jerseys. I think I was just being contrary though. Sports superstitions are crazy. I think I had only normal ones and they involved not walking on lines on the tennis court, wearing the same winning socks, or shirt over and over again…..how about bouncing the ball before a serve a secret number of times? Better not tell too many of my secrets though. I might just need them sometime!
November 13th, 2009 at 6:43 pm
My friend, Cat, is sooo superstitious. Seriously, it’s starting to affect my daily life. When we are walking, she won’t let anything come between us, like a pole or a sign. She will actually scream and grab me and drag me around the back to her side. Also, whenever she’s driving, if the light turns yellow she kisses her hand and then touches the ceiling because it’s supposed to keep the light from turning red. She says it works everytime. Plus, she has basically all the supersitions already mentioned above. I’m so glad I’m not a superstitious person; being friends with one is exhausting enough.
November 14th, 2009 at 12:21 am
B - I’m with you on the shoes/socks I think
N - Am I the only one who’s heard of it?
H - A lot of athletes seem more OCD than superstitious?
M - I like Cat even more now
November 14th, 2009 at 11:14 am
I’m not really superstitious, mostly because my memory is going and I can’t ever remember what I am or am not supposed to do. I’m with you on most of these, B, tho’. The shoes and socks thing, too, although I would chalk that one up to OCD (that’s what makes you re-load the dishwasher when someone else does it). And who says we are getting more modern with our technology and gadgets? Have you all seen this new cell phone one, where when the clock lines up in like numbers (ie., 11:11) you make a wish and kiss your phone? Who knew?
November 14th, 2009 at 11:22 pm
hmmm, seems like a fine line between superstition and OCD?
But as long as my dishwasher gets loaded, I don’t care how they’re crammed in there!
November 15th, 2009 at 5:51 pm
My friend, Nancy, just sent me a piece on Friday the 13th which included these fun statistics:
More than 80 percent of high-rises lack a 13th floor.
Many airports skip the 13th gate.
Airplanes have no 13th aisle.
Hospitals and hotels regularly have no room number 13.
Italians omit the number 13 from their national lottery.
On streets in Florence, Italy, the house between number 12 and 14 is addressed as 12 and a half.
Many cities do not have a 13th Street or a 13th Avenue
In France, socialites known as the quatorziens (fourteeners) once made themselves available as 14th guests to keep a dinner party from an unlucky fate.
Many triskaidekaphobes, as those who fear the unlucky integer are known, point to the ill-fated mission to the moon, Apollo 13.
If you have 13 letters in your name, you will have the devil’s luck . Jack the Ripper, Charles Manson, Jeffrey Dahmer, Theodore Bundy and Albert De Salvo all have 13 letters in their names.