Superstitions and Old Wives' Tales: No Harm in Following or Foolishness?

Philippines
June 4, 2007 12:02pm CST
Growing up under oriental and Filipino influences, we have always had to do things to conform with superstitious beliefs. I've done silly dances to prevent frequent falling from the stairs, drank strange brews, visited quack doctors, and foregone bathing for weeks just because the elders said so. These were supposed to make me feel better, help me get well or help me grow taller. And although I've always wanted to go against these practices, I've always been stopped by my relatives insisting that "There's no harm in following them." Now that I have children, it's worse. I'm not supposed to cut their hair or their nails before one. Of course, these two I've gone against. I'm not supposed to carry them on my hip because they'll end up bow-legged and many other stuff. So what superstitions have you heard and do you believe in them?
2 responses
@devilinu (105)
• India
4 Jun 07
welcome to india....the land of superstitions.... no one can outdo india in this sense....we hv the most ridiculous beliefs here....i get annoyed most of the times... but elders..no..they believe n force u to beliee too.... everything bad that happens has to do sumthing with angry gods...bad spirits or past sins...EEEWW!!
@eden32 (3973)
• United States
4 Jun 07
I don't know of such colorful superstitions here in the US. I was told when I was expecting my first not to put my hands up over my head or the baby's cord would get wrapped around his neck. I asked my doctor about that at my next appointment & of course was told there wasn't any truth in it.