Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

JINTANA · Joined: 22 Jul 2006 Posts: 2

Hello! I'm Jin. I'm a Thai student.
Well, I'd like to know about the superstitions of ur country. I think this topic is very interesting because each country has many different superstitions. In my country, u'll be silly if u across the books. I believes it so much. I never across them. And I think the cause of this superstiton is the importance of the books because everyone gets the knowledge from the books.
And what about ur country? Let's talk about the superstitions or beliefs in ur country.
>>What are ur superstitions or beliefs?
>>Do u believe that?
>>Do u know what causes of that superstition?

BourneNOIR · Joined: 12 Apr 2006 Posts: 113

Hi Jin, it's interesting that you brought this up. It is currently the 7th month of the Chinese lunar calendar, and that means it's a ghost month. As a matter of fact, this year there are two "7th months" since Chinese lunar calendar has leap months instead. So there are technically 2 "ghost months". During the ghost month it is said that the gate to the underworld/afterlife is open for the spirits of those who died to visit the world of the living. Normally, nothing bad would happen. But it has been cautioned that bad things will happen to those who disrespect the spirits. It is also believed that you should not go swimming in unknown bodies of water during this time, and if you do you should always bring a friend. Otherwise, you might be "dragged down" by the spirits of those who have drowned in that body of water...

Anuradha Chepur · Joined: 20 May 2006 Posts: 933

This one was doing the rounds recently:

1?) Fold a $20 bill in half...

2?) Fold again, taking care to fold it exactly as below

3?) Fold the other end, exactly as before
Et voilଠthe PENTAGON on fire!!

4?) Now, simply turn it over...

The Twin Towers ablaze....

What a coincidience! A simple geometric fold creates a catastrophic premonition printed on all $20 bills!!!

COINCIDENCE? YOU DECIDE

As if that wasn't enough... here is what you've seen...

Firstly The Pentagon on fire...

Then The Twin Towers...

... and now... look at this!

TRIPLE COINCIDENCE ON A SIMPLE $20 BILL

P.S. : Ah! Now I have learnt how to post images!

flying_pig319 · Joined: 01 Jul 2006 Posts: 369

There are some weird ones in the US. Most people don't believe in them, but we all know about them, somehow:
-Spilling salt
-Walking under a ladder
-666
-Seeing a black cat (this is the biggest one, probably)
These all mean bad luck (supposedly).
_________________
peace-monger

zeh88 · Joined: 14 Sep 2006 Posts: 33 Location: pakistan

coming across a black cat is also considered bad luckin pakistan
_________________
go the last mile_ and enjoy it!

ltp-008 · Joined: 09 Apr 2006 Posts: 258

Open umbrella in house or in room.

Bob S. · Joined: 29 Apr 2004 Posts: 1767 Location: So. Cal

Breaking a mirror.

Whistling while walking past a graveyard.

johnjohn · Joined: 14 Sep 2006 Posts: 6

RedRose · Joined: 21 May 2004 Posts: 2735 Location: GuangZhou, China

last month, my daughter and I went swimming. after we finishing swimming, we returned back to the dressing room, it turned out that our bag got stolen! unfortunately, all our clothes except the swimsuits are in that stolen bag!! I had to call my friend and asked him to drive us back home. as he arrived, we got into his car, in swimsuit!

That thief who stole my bag, probably thought that there were a lot of treasure in our bag Laughing

but unfortunately, there were just clothes and a little money in it. plus, there were two underwears and one bra in it Laughing

that would be the worst thing for that poor thief. Laughing

Here in south China, most people believe, if someone carries a stranger's underwear, then all bad luck will come to him Laughing

I know that's just a curse and superstition. but still, I hope it would work on the thief.

CP · Joined: 12 Jun 2006 Posts: 2875 Location: California

Johnjohn:

"To finish a bottle of Champagne means you will get married before the end of the year."

Does that mean that you always leave a little champagne in the bottle rather than drink it all? Or is there always someone itching to get married who drinks the last of the champagne?

Red Rose:

Sorry you had your clothes and money stolen. But how funny to think that the thief will have bad luck because he has your underwear! I hope it's true!

Also in China, don't you believe that giving someone a clock or watch is wishing them death? What if the thief got your watch, too?
_________________
You live a new life for every new language you speak. -Czech proverb

beancurdturtle · Posted: Sun Sep 17, 2006 10:11 am Post subject:

aevi82 · Joined: 17 Jul 2006 Posts: 55 Location: Moscow, Russia

In Russia we have many superstitions. F.e. about black cats, broken mirrors, 666, 13 etc.
Also we have many legends. F.e. people say that fern blooms only one night per a year and that's the 31th May night. If you'll go to the forest and find a fern then in midnight you'll see how the beautiful flower is appearing. According to the legend a person who finds the fern's flower will be able to see or feel tresures which are hided in the ground.

habergeon · Joined: 22 Sep 2006 Posts: 1 Location: Russia

ad-miral · Joined: 01 Sep 2006 Posts: 1488

In my country, and I think in any country else (e.g. Russia and China), people have the superstition that alcohol solves all problems.
_________________
If I say "I love you" to someone, then I also have to say "I also love everyone else inside you, I love the whole world because of you, I also love myself inside you." -- Erich Fromm, the Art of Love

madde<3 · Joined: 04 Oct 2006 Posts: 1

no keys on the table
don�t go under a ladder
spice, spice take in wood
black cat over the road
a broken mirror gives you 7 years no luck.

we are two students from sweden, and we must do this. Mad

we don�t care so much about supersticius. we just say something about spice, spice take in wood.

Bye, Madde And Natta Laughing