Old Wives Tales, Superstitions (Skowhegan: movies, floor, eat)

[melinuxfool]

Maybe we could have a thread for some of them. My grandmother used to tell me a bunch of them.

If the oldest or youngest person sneezes at the dinner table, a stranger's coming to visit.

If your right hand itches, a handshake awaits in your future; if it's your left, you're going to get some money.

If your ears are burning, someone's talking about you.

Those are the three I remember the most.

[Casper1212]

If I start in with my mother's old wives tales, it will need its own website.

[Coaster]

It's very bad luck to put new shoes on the table or on the bed. My mother was very strict about that one.

If you spill the salt shaker, throw a pinch over your left shoulder to keep the devil away.

[deerislesmile]

If your nose itches, you're going to get into a fight or kiss a fool. (maybe both?)

[RMoore007]

Don't ever close the caps on the shampoo bottles in the shower. It will make you late for work.

Ok, that ones mine.

But my grandmother from Skowhegan used to tell us kids when traveling around Maine in a car, not to look at the gravestones of any cemetery along the way. It freaked her out and she said by looking and staring, it could mean an early grave for you. Like the soup nazi, "No more life for you". Either she was a great kidder, or she saw too many Boris Karloff movies.

My other grandmother in Dover was always upset about opening an umbrealla indoors and the "unbrella effect" that may be cause negative things to happen. I'm not sure, but it must be true.

[mainebrokerman]

dont go swimming within a half hour of eating

hold your breath while passing a cemetery

[deerislesmile]

NEVER, EVER rock an empty rocking chair! I believe it "invites the spirits to have a seat"?

I think there was one about not opening a window in a room where a baby is sleeping? The spirits (again!) will sneak in and take the baby (or possess the baby, I'm not sure!).

[kellysmith]

feed a cold...starve a fever...and always put Vick's Vapor-rub on your chest whenever you have a cold.

and

if wasp nest are low to the ground it will be a mild winter...up in the top of trees and a severe winter is upcoming.

[JLynn35]

Always lift your feet up off the floor of the car when driving over railroad tracks...I have no idea why!!

[Mike Mc]

My wife insists on hanging clothing on the line so it is facing the house, if it faces away it means the person the item belongs to is leaving the household.
I have no idea where she got that from!