Little superstitions

If I see a magpie I have to say “hello Mr Magpie, hello Mr Magpie, hello Mr Magpie” - in a welsh accent. This is a family tradition which stems from my welsh godfather. None of the rest of us are welsh.

I've always thought superstitions were light hearted and taken with a pinch of salt, but to think that councils deliberately avoid numbering houses 13, and on a recent cruise there was no floor 13, maybe they're not wanting to tempt fate 🤞

I think I’m quite a sensible creature but I’d be horrified if I broke a mirror, I ALWAYS say hello to magpies, I’d never ever put new shoes on a table (and always question if eg. the island counts as a table!!). And I’d never give a purse without a penny.

Another magpie greeter here. It’s funny where we gather these from, my family didn’t do it but I lived at university with a good friend who always said ‘hello mr magpie, say hello to your wife’ and it’s a habit I’ve got into myself. We have a pair of magpies that live in our front garden and I’m always much happier when I’ve spotted the second one. DS is 4 and now he does it too. Not sure how healthy it is passing on superstitions but it’s quite sweet the way he picks these things up, like a little shared ritual.

Thank you. You know what was really odd though - all the way to and from the hospital I saw single magpies EVERYWHERE. Like there preparing me for the worst. I remember telling a friend at the time and she commented how sad that was as magpies sally mate for life so they must have all lost their mates. No comment on my ongoing miscarriage though (and she had been through 2 herself in the months before that).

Superstition is definitely something we cling to - either to blame when things go wrong or to give us hope.

I didn't think I was superstitious untill I started writing this list
Salute and greet magpies "Hello Mr magpie" said 3 times. I say it very quickly under my breath and my salute looks like I'm pushing my hair behind my ear because I feel self conscious about the nonsense!

Never walk on a set of 3 manhole covers. Sets of 2 must be walked over because they bring good luck

Don't cross on the stairs

Umbrellas can't be clicked open to dry in the house, need to be semi open at maximum!

No shoes on tables

Chuck spilled salt over both shoulders because I can't remember which is the correct shoulder

Put a silver coin in a wallet or purse if giving it as a gift

Cross a new born baby's palm with a silver coin when you meet them

Touch wood. My head will do in the absence of actual wood

Never say tempt fate by saying things out loud like "what could possibly go wrong" or "everything's going so well" etc

Don't break a mirror

Don't throw a bible away

Say "white rabbits" on the 1st of every month

Although I love them, peacock feathers bring bad luck. I won't have them or representations of them in the house or on clothing

I thought it was rabbits, rabbits, rabbits

Pinch, punch, first of the month

Exactly 😂

I was told that corn dollies were a fertility symbol, I wouldn't touch them 😕

My granny always said not to put new shoes on a table or bed. It was bad luck to bring lilac into the house. Green cars were unlucky. Always put a coin in a new purse.

She was given a corn doll once, which she considered unlucky, but as it was a gift she kept it. Well, three things happened. I broke my arm, I think someone in the family died and I don’t remember the third thing but she got rid of it after that as she believed it was the cause of all that bad luck.

I speak to magpies, touch wood, throw salt over my shoulder, don’t walk under ladders. If I drop my glove I get my husband to pick it up for me. Don’t do washing on New Year’s Day.

Most of the above plus your first word on waking on the first of the month should be ‘rabbits’ to bring good fortune. No idea where that comes from !

It's unlucky to cross on the stairs, which can be awkward deciding which one of you will go back down or go back up 😂

Lang may yer lum reek!