<html><head><meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"></head><body dir="auto"><div>When I was in the Army, stationed in Germany, I would stop by the snack bar every morning and pick up a copy of that day’s Stars an Stripes. Ahhh . . . those were the days, my friend.</div><div><br></div><div>Courtesy of Stars and Stripes (American military newspaper) at:</div><div><br></div><div><a href="https://europe.stripes.com/pcs/quirky-european-superstitions?fbclid=IwAR1lHc6XPG8loMVuQZyA9LlmuppBjCRxSzX9LVVKVCtLrz2MIr-o9AhF5IE">https://europe.stripes.com/pcs/quirky-european-superstitions?fbclid=IwAR1lHc6XPG8loMVuQZyA9LlmuppBjCRxSzX9LVVKVCtLrz2MIr-o9AhF5IE</a></div><div><br></div><div>—————————————————</div><div><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 30px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">Quirky European superstitions</span></div><div><br></div><div><div class="node-author" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: bold; font-size: small; caret-color: rgb(104, 104, 104); color: rgb(104, 104, 104); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">by Mary Del Rosario</div><div class="node-org" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; caret-color: rgb(104, 104, 104); color: rgb(104, 104, 104); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">Stripes Europe</div></div><div><br></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(104, 104, 104);">In America, breaking a mirror is said to bring seven years of bad luck, while knocking on wood prevents such luck. Curious to know what superstitions Europeans believe in? Check out this list and see if you see the locals adhere to these rules during your travels! <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(104, 104, 104);">Germany</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(104, 104, 104);"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(104, 104, 104);">1. Never give a knife as a gift as it is believed to cut friendships.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(104, 104, 104);">2. Speaking of gift-giving … Never give your partner shoes as a present because they may run out on you.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(104, 104, 104);">3. Always look people in the eye when you “prost” or you’ll risk seven years of bad love-making!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(104, 104, 104);">4. Never say, “happy birthday,” to someone before their birthday as it can cause bad luck for the birthday celebrant.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(104, 104, 104);">5. Always knock on the table before sitting down in a pub. Doing so will ensure your friends you aren’t the devil... of course!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(104, 104, 104);">6. Instead of crossing fingers like Americans do, Germans “<i>drϋcken die Daumen</i>,” or press their thumbs.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(104, 104, 104);">7. It is considered good luck to be touched by a chimney sweep. In the olden days, chimney sweeps were considered lucky because it meant people were able to cook their food.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(104, 104, 104);">Italy</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(104, 104, 104);"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(104, 104, 104);">1. Number 17 is considered to be an unlucky number, which is why finding the 17th floor in a hotel won’t be possible.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(104, 104, 104);">2. However, you shouldn’t seat 13 people at a dinner table because there were 13 people sitting during the Last Supper.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(104, 104, 104);">3. Like most of Europe, air conditioners are hard to come by. However, in Italy, air conditioners are bad luck because dangerously cold air is hitting your face. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(104, 104, 104);">4. To avoid unfortunate mishaps, touch iron.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(104, 104, 104);">5. Sprinkling salt in the corners of all rooms during a housewarming will bring good fortune to the new homeowners and will ward off the evil spirits.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(104, 104, 104);">6. Never place objects in the shape of a cross. For example, don’t dare to cross your fork and knife because it is an insult to the religious symbol and may jinx you.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(104, 104, 104);">7. If you’re single and someone accidentally sweeps over your feet, you’re destined to be single for the rest of your life!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(104, 104, 104);">France</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(104, 104, 104);"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(104, 104, 104);">1. Giving flowers is a thoughtful gesture, but never give someone a chrysanthemum because it will bring misfortune.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(104, 104, 104);">2. Since the French take their bread seriously, putting a baguette upside down on a table is unlucky.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(104, 104, 104);">3. Never knock over the salt because it will also bring bad luck. This superstition is believed in many countries.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(104, 104, 104);">4. If you have new clothes that you want to wear on a fun Friday night out, don’t! Wearing new clothes on a Friday will bring you down on you luck.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(104, 104, 104);">5. Be careful when walking the streets of Paris and be sure not to step in dog feces. Rumor has it, if you step on it with your left foot, it will bring good luck. However, the right foot will leave you unlucky.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(104, 104, 104);">6. To receive good luck, touch the red pompom (bachi) on a French sailor’s hat.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(104, 104, 104);">U.K.</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(104, 104, 104);"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(104, 104, 104);">1. Seeing one magpie may bring bad luck.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(104, 104, 104);">2. However, it is lucky to meet a black cat. If you look closely, you’ll see many greeting and birthday cards with a black cat on it.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(104, 104, 104);">3. It is lucky to put money in the pocket of new clothes.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(104, 104, 104);">4. Never pass someone on the stairs as it considered to bring unfortunate events your way.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(104, 104, 104);">5. When out to eat and you drop a table knife on the floor, expect a male visitor. A female visitor can be expected if you drop a fork.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><br></div>—————————————————<br><br><div dir="ltr"><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Seeya 'round town, Moscow, because . . .</span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"Moscow Cares" (the most fun you can have with your pants on)</span></div><div><a href="http://www.moscowcares.com/">http://www.moscowcares.com/</a></div><div><br></div><div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Tom Hansen</span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Moscow, Idaho</span></div></div><div><br></div><div>“A stranger is just a friend you haven’t met.”</div><div>- Roy E. Stolworthy</div><div></div></div></body></html>