Superstitions
Okay, so my own cultural background had me prepared for much more weirdness than I encountered. I guess my family's really as strange as they seem...? Anyway, let's begin!
Caucasian-American
This is definitely the most variant of all the ethnic groups I managed to interview. I noticed that it really depends on the region of the United States, the religious values of the family, and if the family recently immigrated from Europe (first or second generation).
Southern
Bless their hearts! Of all the Caucasian-American respondents, this one had the most particular remedies.
Are there any items/occurrences that bring you luck? Any that bring you bad luck?
Praying brings good luck. "Prayer can frighten away demons, dontcha know?" says Rachel of Alabama.
Eating black-eyed peas on New Year's Day is supposed to bring good luck.
You're feeling sick with a _________ (cold, flu, stomachache, etc.). What is/are the first thing(s) your mom/dad/other relative reached for?
The most popular answers...
--Chicken soup
--Popsicles
--Resting
--Water
(No one said "medicine"!)
You have the hiccups. How do you cure them?
Take three sips of water very slowly. Or scare them away!
You have money. Is there anything in particular that you must do to ensure its safety?
Eat collard greens on New Year's Day for financial luck. Otherwise, just put it in the bank.
It's a baby/pregnancy! Is there anything in particular you must/must not do for s/he to be happy, healthy, or anything else? This is in regards to expecting mommies, families, friends, and passersby.
Don't watch scary movies! It will "mark" the baby.
Northern
Maybe it was the Italian background, but my Northern responders were hilarious (please note that I'm saying this as someone's who's part Italian). *insert lots of panic*
Are there any items/occurrences that bring you luck? Any that bring you bad luck?
Ladders, mirrors, and black cats should be avoided. All of them, at all times. Mirrors reveal the inner self, after all!
When your right palm itches, it means you'll be receiving money, only if you don't scratch it. However, if your left palm itches, you'll be losing money.
If you find a penny face-up on the ground, keep it, and it'll bring you luck. If you find a penny tails-up on the ground, give it to someone else and give them luck.
You're feeling sick with a _________ (cold, flu, stomachache, etc.). What is/are the first thing(s) your mom/dad/other relative reached for?
Vicks. Vicks cures everything. I could take a bath in that stuff. Advil works, too!
For stomachaches, take Pepto-Bismol and curl into the fetal position.
You have the hiccups. How do you cure them?
Close your eyes and concentrate on breathing. Or have someone scare you.
You have money. Is there anything in particular that you must do to ensure its safety?
If I have money, I can't brag about it or tell others that I have a lot. I'll lose the money if I do!
It's a baby/pregnancy! Is there anything in particular you must/must not do for s/he to be happy, healthy, or anything else? This is in regards to expecting mommies, families, friends, and passersby.
Southern
Bless their hearts! Of all the Caucasian-American respondents, this one had the most particular remedies.
Are there any items/occurrences that bring you luck? Any that bring you bad luck?
Praying brings good luck. "Prayer can frighten away demons, dontcha know?" says Rachel of Alabama.
Eating black-eyed peas on New Year's Day is supposed to bring good luck.
You're feeling sick with a _________ (cold, flu, stomachache, etc.). What is/are the first thing(s) your mom/dad/other relative reached for?
The most popular answers...
--Chicken soup
--Popsicles
--Resting
--Water
(No one said "medicine"!)
You have the hiccups. How do you cure them?
Take three sips of water very slowly. Or scare them away!
You have money. Is there anything in particular that you must do to ensure its safety?
Eat collard greens on New Year's Day for financial luck. Otherwise, just put it in the bank.
It's a baby/pregnancy! Is there anything in particular you must/must not do for s/he to be happy, healthy, or anything else? This is in regards to expecting mommies, families, friends, and passersby.
Don't watch scary movies! It will "mark" the baby.
Northern
Maybe it was the Italian background, but my Northern responders were hilarious (please note that I'm saying this as someone's who's part Italian). *insert lots of panic*
Are there any items/occurrences that bring you luck? Any that bring you bad luck?
Ladders, mirrors, and black cats should be avoided. All of them, at all times. Mirrors reveal the inner self, after all!
When your right palm itches, it means you'll be receiving money, only if you don't scratch it. However, if your left palm itches, you'll be losing money.
If you find a penny face-up on the ground, keep it, and it'll bring you luck. If you find a penny tails-up on the ground, give it to someone else and give them luck.
You're feeling sick with a _________ (cold, flu, stomachache, etc.). What is/are the first thing(s) your mom/dad/other relative reached for?
Vicks. Vicks cures everything. I could take a bath in that stuff. Advil works, too!
For stomachaches, take Pepto-Bismol and curl into the fetal position.
You have the hiccups. How do you cure them?
Close your eyes and concentrate on breathing. Or have someone scare you.
You have money. Is there anything in particular that you must do to ensure its safety?
If I have money, I can't brag about it or tell others that I have a lot. I'll lose the money if I do!
It's a baby/pregnancy! Is there anything in particular you must/must not do for s/he to be happy, healthy, or anything else? This is in regards to expecting mommies, families, friends, and passersby.
The expecting mother needs to eat liver and vegetables. It's good to sing to the unborn baby, too.
Recently Immigrated from Europe
Are there any items/occurrences that bring you luck? Any that bring you bad luck?
Not a single of these respondents believed in luck. In fact, one of them said, "I'll walk under a ladder all day, inside my house--with an umbrella open...[and] a black cat hanging in front of my face, tied upside down by its tail. And nothing'll happen." Pretty specific, huh?
You're feeling sick with a _________ (cold, flu, stomachache, etc.). What is/are the first thing(s) your mom/dad/other relative reached for?
Again, these respondents were pretty much of one mind. Every one of said they took medicine and left it at that. No crazy home remedies? For shame. ;)
You have the hiccups. How do you cure them?
There were only two cures among this group: holding your breath or waiting it out.
You have money. Is there anything in particular that you must do to ensure its safety?
Put money in your wallet and leave the rest in the bank. Limit the money in your wallet, though. Credit owns all.
It's a baby/pregnancy! Is there anything in particular you must/must not do for s/he to be happy, healthy, or anything else? This is in regards to expecting mommies, families, friends, and passersby.
Just do as the doctor says.
-- --
Is that interesting to any of you? Inaccurate, perhaps? There are bound to be discrepancies because of the small sample size, so please speak up if you disagree with anything. =)
Personally, I liked learning about Caucasian-American superstitions! I'll be the first to admit that I wish I was more knowledgeable of this ethnic group. I think the "recently immigrated from Europe" group was the most surprising to me. I don't know if I could just wait out the hiccups. When I get them, I'm desperate to lose them. So uncomfortable! The other options seemed very...straightforward. I wouldn't go so far as to adopt the cultural values, but I can understand them now. Hooray, knowledge!
Hispanic-American
This time around, the vast majority of my respondents were Caucasian-American. I'm hoping that the next few cycles will feature other ethnic groups as well. If I can't find any willing participants of other ethnic groups, I'll find ways to research it. As a Psychology major, I have my research sources. ;) Haha.
Anyway, here's my time to shine! Prepare for weirdness, courtesy of my Mexican-American culture.
Are there any items/occurrences that bring you luck? Any that bring you bad luck?
--If a black cat crosses your path, stick your tongue out at it in rapid succession. This will negate its bad luck. (No, seriously).
--Dropping a utensil on the floor means you'll get bad company. Tap it on the floor four times to reverse it.
--If you point at a rainbow, you'll get a stye. I think that counts as bad luck.
--If you watch a dog do his business, you'll get a stye. As a child, I was a little afraid of dogs--for this reason, haha.
--Tuesday the 13th of any month is super-unlucky!
--I have TONS more, but I'll stop there!
You're feeling sick with a _________ (cold, flu, stomachache, etc.). What is/are the first thing(s) your mom/dad/other relative reached for?
--If you feel a cold coming on, GARGLE WITH MOUTHWASH. If you're already sick, gargling with mouthwash can help shorten the sickness or at least provide temporary relief.
--When I got stomachaches, my mom would rub my stomach really hard. It never made me feel better, but she swore by it, haha.
--If you have a consistent sickness for a long time, have someone crack an egg into a cup and say the Creed several times. Then the person should put the glass under your bed. By the next morning, the person should feel a little better--if not completely. I wouldn't do it, but it's another thing my family believes in.
--Boil some water and then add lemon while it's still bubbling. Let it cool a little before drinking it. This should alleviate a stomachache.
--Boil some water with carrots. Add potatoes. Mash it all together. This sounds really nasty, but if you drink this concoction before going out on a hot day, you won't get dehydrated.
You have the hiccups. How do you cure them?
--Stare at someone directly in the face, and you'll lose your hiccups in no time. Distraction works well. It's REALLY, REALLY awkward, but it works. ;)
--Fill a glass with water. Instead of drinking it upwards, (craning your head back) drink it downwards, being sure not to spill it. Concentrating on doing this will both distract you from your hiccups and from breathing. Hiccups gone!
You have money. Is there anything in particular that you must do to ensure its safety?
--Never put your purse on the ground. That means you'll lose all of your money!
--When going out, always pack some extra cash in hard-to-reach places. Try the inside of your shoe but not inside of your sock.
It's a baby/pregnancy! Is there anything in particular you must/must not do for s/he to be happy, healthy, or anything else? This is in regards to expecting mommies, families, friends, and passersby.
--If you stare at a baby, you MUST touch it. Otherwise, you'll give them "mal de ojo," and the baby will be restless and not able to sleep. Touching the baby ensures him/her that you mean no harm.
Anyway, here's my time to shine! Prepare for weirdness, courtesy of my Mexican-American culture.
Are there any items/occurrences that bring you luck? Any that bring you bad luck?
--If a black cat crosses your path, stick your tongue out at it in rapid succession. This will negate its bad luck. (No, seriously).
--Dropping a utensil on the floor means you'll get bad company. Tap it on the floor four times to reverse it.
--If you point at a rainbow, you'll get a stye. I think that counts as bad luck.
--If you watch a dog do his business, you'll get a stye. As a child, I was a little afraid of dogs--for this reason, haha.
--Tuesday the 13th of any month is super-unlucky!
--I have TONS more, but I'll stop there!
You're feeling sick with a _________ (cold, flu, stomachache, etc.). What is/are the first thing(s) your mom/dad/other relative reached for?
--If you feel a cold coming on, GARGLE WITH MOUTHWASH. If you're already sick, gargling with mouthwash can help shorten the sickness or at least provide temporary relief.
--When I got stomachaches, my mom would rub my stomach really hard. It never made me feel better, but she swore by it, haha.
--If you have a consistent sickness for a long time, have someone crack an egg into a cup and say the Creed several times. Then the person should put the glass under your bed. By the next morning, the person should feel a little better--if not completely. I wouldn't do it, but it's another thing my family believes in.
--Boil some water and then add lemon while it's still bubbling. Let it cool a little before drinking it. This should alleviate a stomachache.
--Boil some water with carrots. Add potatoes. Mash it all together. This sounds really nasty, but if you drink this concoction before going out on a hot day, you won't get dehydrated.
You have the hiccups. How do you cure them?
--Stare at someone directly in the face, and you'll lose your hiccups in no time. Distraction works well. It's REALLY, REALLY awkward, but it works. ;)
--Fill a glass with water. Instead of drinking it upwards, (craning your head back) drink it downwards, being sure not to spill it. Concentrating on doing this will both distract you from your hiccups and from breathing. Hiccups gone!
You have money. Is there anything in particular that you must do to ensure its safety?
--Never put your purse on the ground. That means you'll lose all of your money!
--When going out, always pack some extra cash in hard-to-reach places. Try the inside of your shoe but not inside of your sock.
It's a baby/pregnancy! Is there anything in particular you must/must not do for s/he to be happy, healthy, or anything else? This is in regards to expecting mommies, families, friends, and passersby.
--If you stare at a baby, you MUST touch it. Otherwise, you'll give them "mal de ojo," and the baby will be restless and not able to sleep. Touching the baby ensures him/her that you mean no harm.
-- --
How was that? Interesting at all? Totally weird? Honestly, after reading a bunch of Caucasian-American responses, I feel really weird. But now that you're familiar with some Hispanic superstitions, try and work that knowledge into conversations. Let people know, but do it without judgment. It's okay not to agree with these cultural values, but it's more important to understand them and work from there. That's what this blog is for, anyway--understanding.
The next blog will be about dating and marriage. From the responses I've received so far, (on here and other areas. Thank you guys so much for your answers, by the way!) this one will probably be of more interest to us all. :)
Be on the look-out for more questions. The next sections will be on food, holidays, family, school, and discipline.
The next blog will be about dating and marriage. From the responses I've received so far, (on here and other areas. Thank you guys so much for your answers, by the way!) this one will probably be of more interest to us all. :)
Be on the look-out for more questions. The next sections will be on food, holidays, family, school, and discipline.
I can't remember who in my family started it, I think it was the great aunt who says to put a piece of bread in your cookie jar (but that's not superstitious). But in order to prevent rain the next day, you put a rosary on your door and throw a broom out into your yard. It has worked for us in the past. :)
ReplyDeleteMy family talks about the itchy hand and money connection. I think I forgot to include it! lol I think this blog is really interesting!
ReplyDelete