Oh, Ghost!
By Toni
@toniganzon (78390)
Philippines
August 1, 2026 7:41am CST
@Wrexxo reminded me in his discussion that it's the first day of the month already! Didn't realize it till I came across his Happy new month post!
Should I be happy that it's August? Well, for most business people in this country, we dread August. Generally because of a cultural belief, the ghost month. And reduced consumer spending following previous major expenses.
However, when I was doing my crochet business, August was the month that I had great sales compared to the previous months of June and July. So I really don't believe in the ghost month.
Do you?
6 people like this
6 responses
@Ineeddentures (40480)
•
15h
I think Ghost Months here really only applicable to business with high street or mall presence.
And the way it's going it seems to be almost every month
1 person likes this
@toniganzon (78390)
• Philippines
13h
With the economy right now, it's understandable.
1 person likes this
@toniganzon (78390)
• Philippines
13h
@Ineeddentures Our malls are still crowded. Especially during the weekend.
1 person likes this
@Ineeddentures (40480)
•
13h
@toniganzon
Ah well whilst it's sad that high streets have become the safe haven of Turkish Barbers, Charity Shops and Nail Bars,
The businesses that were there mostly went bust because they couldn't see the online shopping explosion happen
I care not anymore
I don't need malls or high streets
1 person likes this
@toniganzon (78390)
• Philippines
13h
For Chinese people they use the Chinese calendar for the ghost month. It's the month when you don't want to start a new business, build a new house, enter into contract, etc.
But for Filipinos among the business community, it's August. It's the lean month for businesses.
1 person likes this
@toniganzon (78390)
• Philippines
3h
@LadyDuck this ghost month belief is originally theirs which we borrowed when they started trading in our country. And until now, most of the business men here are mostly Chinese but they're already Filipnio Chinese.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (506009)
• Italy
8h
@toniganzon - Thank you for letting me know, I did not know about this Chinese tradition. I knew that they do not like some numbers.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (129434)
• Gainesville, Florida
20h
I've never heard of a ghost month, so this is very interesting to learn! What is the reason August is considered a ghost month?
I think here in the US, and especially in the state I live in (Florida), the summer months of June, July and August are when retail sales seem to slump. I think it's because all the kids are out of school and everyone is traveling on vacation/holiday. So less people are shopping in stores and online. Plus, it's just ridiculously hot.
1 person likes this
@toniganzon (78390)
• Philippines
13h
June and July are the beginning of a new school term here. So parents spent on tuition fees, school supplies, etc. Those are their priorities. So they have nothing left to shop when August comes. Au-ghost!
