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Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to ask what your Superstition is??

124 replies

stressedbeyond123 · 03/12/2018 14:59

I always say i don't believe in them, but whenever i see a magpie on its own i always have to salute it. My Step-Daughter always says good morning Mr Magpie (regardless of time of day!?)

I honestly don't think that something bad will happen if i don't do it, i just do it out of habit, with a little bit of "you never know" thrown in.

Happy enough to walk under ladders and what ever else is considered a superstition

Please let me know i'm not the only little weirdo who does Smile

OP posts:
fromdespairto · 05/12/2018 15:03

Yes to not cutting nails on a Sunday! My husband thinks I made that one up, I thought it was just a thing my family abided by until this thread. I have no idea of the origins of it but I NEVER cut anyone's nails on a Sunday. Thanks PP for making me feel less isolated in my madness.

Geekster1963 · 05/12/2018 15:55

Indiana I’m like that with digital clocks too! Except mine has to read 2:52 or 5:25 because I always think when the numbers have straight edges 25 looks like a vase and 52 like a glass. If I see the clock turning to 2:52 or 5:25 while I’m watching is bad luck.

Charmatt · 05/12/2018 15:59

I wear red shoes if it's an important meeting and I need it to go my way.
I wear a new dress every time I have to attend a panel hearing to represent my company (not HR related) and I need the ruling to go our way.
I frequently buy red shoes and new dresses but never spend a lot on them! Smile

MarklahMarklah · 05/12/2018 16:32

I got really cross with a woman once at the local shops. The store was busy and there were people up and down the stairs (there's also a lift - this is relevant). This woman was standing at the bottom of the stairs and was having a go at a young boy who was dithering on the way down. I thought she was having mobility problems and asked if she was okay, and she said she told him off because she "couldn't possibly go up the stairs whilst there is someone on them."
I ended up telling her not to be so ridiculous. If she couldn't pass people on the stairs then she should use the bloody lift.

LadyRochfordsFrostedGusset · 05/12/2018 16:40

I like your superstitions Charmatt. An excuse to go shopping if nothing else Xmas Wink.

Charmatt · 05/12/2018 16:45

LadyRochfordsFrostedGusset I like my superstitions too Grin

At work people say, 'Oh no, you've got your red shoes on - no messing with you!', or 'Panel today?' I'm always saying I need to go shopping again - I'm the only person who enjoys panels!

ihopeyouwitchesareready · 05/12/2018 19:36

no new shoes in table
magpies
opening a window/door on hogmany to let old year out new year in.

ihopeyouwitchesareready · 05/12/2018 19:49

also curtains/blinds closed if death in the family.
sign of the cross when passing a hearse or chaple.
salt over the sholder
loads more that i cant think of at the moment.

Piewacket · 05/12/2018 19:51

One from my mother and her mother. On Old Year's Night you need to make sure both the front door and the backdoor are open when it strikes
midnight to "Let the good luck through"

Don't take a bunch of red and white flowers to a hospital/give to someone who is ill. I think in the 50s/60s nurses would actually take bunches of flowers like that off the ward.

CherryPavlova · 05/12/2018 19:56

Always check the armchairs in communal settings before sitting down. I’ve found a certain dampness numerous times. Very bad luck!

RickOShay · 05/12/2018 20:00

No lilac in the house, which is a shame because it smells so lovely.
Isn’t there one about picking an eyelash if somebody’s cheek?
And doesn’t pullling a piece of cotton from somebody’s clothes mean a letter?
These are all from my mother.

niceupthedance · 05/12/2018 20:03

No crossed knives as it brings arguments

If you find two teaspoons in your saucer it means a wedding is on the way

April2020mom · 05/12/2018 20:13

Black cats are bad luck

MadeForThis · 05/12/2018 20:48

Never move house on a Saturday. Saturday flit, short sit.
Have to put a silver coin in a purse/wallet if buying as a gift
Say White Rabbit on first of every month.

ihopeyouwitchesareready · 05/12/2018 21:30

the eyelash one is u blow it away and make a wish. another i one forgot is crossed cutlery means a pregnancy is going to be announced... these are all from my old irsh nana so maybe ones u havent heard ov.

RickOShay · 05/12/2018 22:09

Oh thanks witches, that was annoying me!

heiheithechicken · 05/12/2018 22:21

My nan always said to never give a pearl as a gift - bad luck.

bathsh3ba · 05/12/2018 22:26

Wow, never heard of half of these! I avoid opening an umbrella inside, look for a second magpie if I see one and always associate pink sky at night with good weather and pink sky in the morning with bad. No idea why really....

Bringbackbertha · 05/12/2018 22:38

Salute the lone magpie.
Touch wood.
Pick up a penny and pass it to a friend.
Umbrellas open indoors.
Not saying the scottish play real name on stage.
3 drains.
Walking under ladders .
New shoes on table.
Wishing on the first star in the sky (That I can see).
If I really want something say what I want out loud, who from, the date and day ect specific details 3 times and it will come true.
Not telling anyone the answer to the boswell riddle.
Don't say beetlejuice 3 times.
Bad luck and good luck comes in threes .
If I sneeze 3 times I'll get a letter.
When driving through a tunnel hold my breath until out the other side.

Can't think of any more weird ass shit I believe in..... need some more hobbies

Bringbackbertha · 05/12/2018 22:40

@bathsh3ba

Red sky at night shepherds delight, red sky in the morning shepherds warning.

It dates back to shepherds being on hillsides and the reflection of the sun on the cloud types I believe

And yes I think it's true too

Bringbackbertha · 05/12/2018 22:42

Oh forgot the eye lash one. Make a wish and blow it away but you can't know where it went or the wish won't come true.

Also breaking the wishbone with someone using pinkies, whoever gets the biggest side their wish will come true

Bringbackbertha · 05/12/2018 22:43

Sorry two more

Never gift a purse without putting money in it first that is bad luck

Point elephant ornaments with their trunks to the door to bring good fortunes

Summerisdone · 05/12/2018 23:00

I don't really fully believe in superstitions and if someone told me I had to get over them I probably could do it, it's more habit than anything else, and I still always have a little 'just in case' voice in the back of my head Grin

The ones I tend to stick to are;
Magpies, I have to touch black and salute back if we're both alone, if I'm with another person (that won't look at me like a weirdo) I will point it out and then say "one magpie seen by two brings good luck to both of you".
3 grids, I got to great lengths to avoid walking on three in a row, but if I can't avoid them then I very discreetly spit and say pepper... I've no idea why or where I even got that from but I can't bring myself to not do it
Umbrellas in doors, I just feel uncomfortable at even the sight of an umbrella open inside, even if I'm not the one doing it

I know the magpies and the umbrella I definitely picked up from my mum, she also won't put new shoes on a table and can't pass someone on the stairs when they're single file stairs, but I can't recall her ever doing the grid thing so god knows where I got that one from 🤷🏻‍♀️

PippilottaLongstocking · 05/12/2018 23:05

Magpies here too!

PurpleRobe · 05/12/2018 23:06

I must wear off socks