Superstition. And magpies.

[Bbbananas]

Can anyone explain why I have no qualms in walking under ladders, I put shoes on the table (when cleaning!), I don't feel the urge to throw salt over my left shoulder if I spill it, I have lived at a number 13 house for 20 years in total without thinking about it, and never say white rabbits if it's the 1st of the month...

If I see a magpie I automatically think of the "one for sorrow" rhyme, then immediatley dismiss it as superstitious nonsense. However - & this is the crux of my question - if I go on to see 2 magpies I thump the air with my fist & go "Yaaay".

Why? Strange innit?

[daniela31]

If I see a single magpie, I always say......'Good morning Mr Magpie, how's your wife?'
I have done so since I was a small girl.

I get some strange looks when I'm on the bus though.
:-)

[Bbbananas]

I must admit I do always pull the wishbone on a chicken...
Maybe I just believe in the ones that are suposed to bring you good luck... whereas I ignore and poo-poo the ones that are suposed to bring you bad luck.

(Just answered my own question there - but please feel free to contribute still...!)

[Lakitu]

I say the same as Dani RE the magpies LOL

[Bbbananas]

I've never heard that one before you two - just the one for sorrow, two for joy thing.

How's your wife - is that the magpie equivalent of How's your father?!

[mccfluff]

i'm the same as you i'm not superstious but i doi find myself saying touch wood ( and oi you two not in that sense!)

[daniela31]

Lol salla.
I think it's something to do with that are generally a pair of magpies in the vicinity, and one on his own means his wife is ill or something.
:-)

[Lakitu]

LMAO! Lucky magpie if that's the case!

I was always told if you don't say it, it's bad luck so I'm not taking my chances LOL.

[Bbbananas]

Aaaahhh.
Bird Flu?

[daniela31]

My Grandad always used to doff his hat at a magpie for luck.

[another-view]

You say ....'Good morning Mr Magpie, how's your wife?'

Why? What do you hope this will achieve? No wonder you get funny looks.

[daniela31]

It's supposed to be respectful or something like that, and you will be rewarded with good fortune.

[4getmenot]

I watched my mate wait for all cars to go past so he could walk around ladder instead of under, he killed himself that night.

[Bbbananas]

4getmenot - Is that true? Just goes to show eh?

[4getmenot]

I would hardly make that up. Yes he killed himself that night and I always remember that as the last time I saw him. I went under the ladder he waited for all cars to go past and went around it

[Bbbananas]

Oh, I thought you meant he waited for the traffic, walked around the ladder, and then got run over or something? That's why I was a bit flippant. You mean he later that night committed suicide, after earlier going out of his way to avoid walking under a ladder? That is so sad.

[4getmenot]

no he killed himself

[4getmenot]

well they called it suicide I think it was an accident

[natalie_1982]

I thought the same salla! That really would have been bad luck.

I have always said "Hows your wife and family", but that might just have been me mishearing something when I was little.

If I'm on a bus though I tend to just smile and mouth it to the birds, which, now I have thought about it probably looks more mental than if I just said it aloud.
It's funny, the seat next to me on the bus is always empty....

[daniela31]

I usually say it on the bus without thinking, as I say it to myself in the car.
It's not until I have said it and look around at all the people looking at me, that I realise what I have done.

:-)