Funny superstitions

[mollipops]

Since it is Friday the 13th, thought it would be a good time to talk about silly or funny superstitions. You know, all those things your mum insisted were "bad luck", like walking under ladders etc. Or do you really believe?

My mum thinks it is unlucky to kill a cricket (grasshopper)! My dmil still throws salt over her shoulder if she spills some. And dm says it is bad luck to give or have a wallet, purse or bag with no money in it.

The one that intrigues me though, and if anyone can tell me the reasoning behind it I would be grateful, is the theatrical superstition about the play Macbeth. Apparently it is extremely bad form to say that word aloud backstage or anywhere in a theatre. They call it "that Scottish play"! I have been involved in amateur productions and even they take it very seriously!

Anyway, share with us all your wonderful superstitions please, mumsnetters!

I crumple up egg shells (so the witches can't make them into boats... not sure how www might feel about this!).

I don't say 'thank you' when someone says 'bless you' after a sneeze as it kills a fairy.

I can't believe I still do it (or that I've told you about it...).

Saw a funny sketch about the scottish play thing once but can't remember who it was. Seem to think Rowan Atkinson was in there somewhere. I don't believe in most of these really although I like the saying "what goes around comes around". Must admit though it did cross my mind that it was Friday 13th this morning and supposedly unlucky...

phillipat

Dh's family has loads of these daft superstitions - they drive me mad with them. They will only go out the door they came in, you must never cross anyone on the stairs, never put new shoes on a table, never wash clothes on New Year's Day - this apparently washes a member of the family away - I am sure there are more but I can't remember them at the moment. What annoys me about them is that they all (we have dh's Nan and six of her sisters living fairly close to us) expect us to adhere to them too - they always ring me on NYD to remind me not to do any washing!! Always do though and I haven't managed to get rid of any of them yet

I ALWAYS wave to single magpies with a "Hello, Mister Magpie" vocal as well! Sadly ds1 now waves at them too!

And I used to spend hours trying to find 4 leaf clovers every summer (to ensure good luck with that years exam results) but sadly never felt that their effect lasted longer than a year. Every Autumn I used to spend hours trying to catch falling leaves as I thought these too would bring luck. Same for feathers on the wind (caught before hitting the ground) and dandelion thistle.

I have rituals too. Before every ante-natal scan (since losing my first baby after the 24week anomaly scan) I make sure I've got my lucky bra and knickers on (matching, black Lejaby (?? is that the right name??)) my fav pieces of jewellry that dh has given me .... wed ring, eternity ring, engagement ring, necklace. That I have dehaired legs and underarms and bikini line, just in case of immediate admission. And choose my clothes as carefully as if I'm off on a first date. Somehow I'm going to charm that ultrasonographer into giving me good news. Oh, and finally, I flatly refuse to walk through their door without dh by my side.

Finally, take off and landings. Dh and I have to kiss just prior to the moment of T/off and landing to avoid disaster, and hold hands. Tricky on our last flight as we were rows apart. Did you know that with 2under2 you're unlikely to be able to sit together because there arent sufficient oxygen masks in a single row to allow this!!

I was always told never to break a mirror by my mum as it will bring you 7 years bad luck (who mean's to break a mirror), and to watch out if a black cat crosses your path.

The best one when the cricket score is on 111, 222, 333 etc etc, called nelson or something, some of the umprires actually stand on one leg while they stay on the score.

Never open an umbrella in the house.