I must admit, I have a very Arab (and very Lebanese) family. Growing up, my day was filled with precautions and measures to save myself from all the bad luck and apparent damage these superstitions will bring me. Here are some of them!
1. Recounting the step over someone lying on the floor
Apparently, if you do, the person lying on the floor will be short when he/she grows up. My cousin has convinced herself she is short because someone stepped over her when she was younger – it's just genetic. Get over it (pun intended).
2. Opening an umbrella indoors
10-year-old me felt like the wrath of hell will be released into my house if I opened an umbrella indoors.
3. Receiving money soon when hand palms itch
Though I convinced myself my palms itched every morning, I still got nothing but that pink 5,000 LL note every Monday morning … for the whole week.
4. Noise in your ears means someone is talking about you
Oh, I didn't need noise in my ears to know – I had stronger tools and sources.
5. A broken mirror
Looking into a broken mirror will apparently doom your luck for years to come. It's also dangerous; I mean that shouldn't be allowed to begin with #psychopathchildrenstories
6. Flipping the bottom of a turned shoe
I still do that. It's sort of a superstition-turned-OCD thing.
7. Hearing an owl
"Hoot hoot"
Definitely failing my exam tomorrow morning.
8. Drinking from a broken glass
So many cups gone to waste for fear of bad luck. And tongue damage.
9. Crawling on the house floor brings unwanted guests
"Stop it mama! 7a yijeene 3alam min warak!"
10. Spitting when two heads hit
I have NO idea why my mom would make me do this – anyone else at all?