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NOT GIVEN

ASK FOR A PENNY WHEN GIVING SOMETHING POINTED TO A FRIEND SO THAT
YOU WON'T BREAK YOUR FRIENDSHIP.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; 27415 LITTLE MACK ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank

Date learned: 02-17-1970

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RULE OF DRIVING

DRIVE ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD TO AVOID A COLLISION WITH
AN ONCOMING CAR. THIS RULE ALSO APPLIES TO PEOPLE WALKING ON
THE SIDEWALK.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank

Date learned: 11-00-1968

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RECEIVE A KNIFE

IF A PERSON IS GIVEN A KNIFE, OR ANY KNIFE-LIKE INSTRUMENT,
HE MUST GIVE TO THE GIVER OF THE POINTED INSTRUMENT A PENNY.
TO GIVE A KNIFE IS CONSIDERED BAD LUCK UNLESS A PENNY IS GIVEN
IN RETURN.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank

Date learned: 09-10-1969

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SUPERSTITIOUS BELIEF/SHARP OBJECT

IF YOU GIVE ANYONE A SHARP OBJECT (E.G., A KNIFE) FOR A GIFT,
YOU MUST ALSO GIVE THEM A PENNY FOR EACH DOLLAR THE OBJECT COST.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank

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WARM HANDS

ITALIANS ARE GREAT WALKERS. IN COOL WEATHER, THEY ROAST CHESTNUTS
AND THEN PUT THEM IN THEIR POCKET TO KEEP THEIR HANDS WARM WHILE
WALKING.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank

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NOT GIVEN

WHEN WE VISITED SOMEONE FOR THE FIRST TIME AT THE FIRST OF THE
YEAR, WE HAD TO TAKE SOMETHING TO THEM. IF THE FAMILY WAS NOT
TAKEN SOMETHING, THEY WOULD BE IN NEED THE REST OF THE YEAR.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN HEIGHTS ; 5527 HEATHER LN

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20
BELIEF -- Number

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

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GODPARENTS/GODCHILDREN

GODCHILDREN IN SPAIN STAND OUTSIDE THE GODPARENTS' HOUSE AND
THREATEN MISCHIEF IF THEY AREN'T GIVEN MONEY OR SWEETS.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank

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CUSTOM

IN THE OLD COUNTRY, LEBANESE WOMEN WALK ABOUT TEN FEET BEHIND THE
MEN.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank

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CERAMIC PRESENTS FOR GRANDMA

WHEN MY GRANDPARENTS LIVED IN TOLEDO, OUR FAMILY USED TO MAKE
ABOUT FIVE TO TEN TRIPS DOWN THERE EVERY YEAR FROM DETROIT,
AND IT WAS SORT OF AN "UNWRITTEN LAW" THAT WE WOULD STOP AT THE
OHIO CHINA COMPANY NEAR THE TOLEDO CITY LIMITS AND BUY SOME SMALL
CERAMIC FIGURE FOR MY GRANDMOTHER. SHE COLLECTED THESE FIGURES,
SUCH AS ANIMALS AND STATUES, AS A HOBBY.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights ; 36142 BEVERLY ; 48077

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

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NOT GIVEN

WHEN YOU WANT COMPANY TO LEAVE WHO HAVE OVERSTAYED THEIR WELCOME,
YOU PUT PINEAPPLE ON THE BEDPOSTS. (APPARENTLY, A WHOLE
PINEAPPLE.)

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; 16318 TACOMA

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

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RUSSIAN SUPERSTITION

BEFORE A MOVE OR A JOURNEY, PEOPLE SIT DOWN A FEW MOMENTS FOR LUCK.

Submitter comment: TAKEN FROM A FOOTNOTE ON PAGE 52 IN "DOCTOR ZHIVAGO," (NEW YORK:
PANTHEON BOOKS, INC., 1958).

Where learned: NOT GIVEN

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank
BELIEF -- Custom

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

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CUSTOM

THE BRIDEGROOM IS GIVEN A WHITE CLOTH BY HIS MOTHER WHICH THE
BRIDE IS TO LAY ON WHEN THE MARRIAGE IS CONSUMMATED. THEN IT
IS TO BE GIVEN TO HIS MOTHER TO PROVE HER SON MARRIED A VIRGIN.

Submitter comment: LEARNED FROM A SYRIAN FRIEND.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): HYMEN

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage

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MISCELLANEOUS CUSTOMS

A SEAMAN LEAVING THE FORECASTLE TO GO AFT, EITHER FOR HIS TRICK AT
THE WHEEL OR OTHER WORK, GOES AFT ALONG THE LEESIDE OF THE VESSEL,
UNLESS HIS IMMEDIATE DUTY LIES TO THE WINDWARD.
A SEAMAN SUMMONED TO THE CAPTAIN'S CABIN REMOVED HIS CAP AND
DROPPED IT TO THE DECK JUST OUTSIDE THE DOOR.
A MARINER ENTERING A NEW SHIP, OR EVEN AN OLD SHIP, FOR THE FIRST
TIME MAKES CERTAIN THAT HIS RIGHT FOOT IS THE FIRST TO TOUCH THE
DECK.
IT WAS A BREECH OF ETIQUETTE FOR A SEAMAN TO LOCK HIS SEA CHEST
WHILE ON BOARD HIS SHIP. OFFENDERS OFTEN FOUND, WHEN THEY
RETURNED TO THE FORECASTLE FROM THEIR WATCH ON DECK, THAT THE
COVER HAD BEEN NAILED DOWN.
IN THE BRITISH AND UNITED STATES NAVIES, A SCARF OF BLACK SILK IS
WORN, ORIGINALLY AS A MARK OF WARNING (MOURNING?) FOR THE DEATH
OF LORD NELSON.
IN THE ROYAL NAVY, OFFICERS WHO HAVE BEEN ROUND EITHER THE CAPE
OF GOOD HOPE OR CAPE HORN MAY PUT ONE FOOT ON THE WARDROOM TABLE;
BOTH CAPES CARRY THE RIGHT TO PUT BOTH FEET ON THE TABLE.
BY NAVAL CUSTOM THE SENIOR OFFICER PRESENT IS ALWAYS THE LAST
INTO A BOAT AND THE FIRST OUT OF IT.

Submitter comment:

CAPTAIN LUMAS SAYS THAT HE HAS LEARNED THESE CUSTOMS THROUGH THE
YEARS THAT HE HAS BEEN SAILING, BOTH IN THE U.S. NAVY AND UP AT
MACKINAW ISLAND.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MACKINAW ISLAND

Keyword(s): British ; Captain ; Etiquette ; Language ; Lingo ; Naval ; Navy ; POSITION ; Seaman ; Ship ; Uniform ; United States

James Callow Keyword(s): DIRECTION ; LEFT ; POSITION ; RIGHT

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Work Commerce Business
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F535
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Maturity
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Initiation rite Hazing
ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Dress Overall body coverUpper body and arms
BELIEF -- Body part Senses
BELIEF -- Color
BELIEF -- Number Last events: the last person to the table...
SPEECH -- Gesture

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ENGAGEMENT RING

IF A BOY GIVES YOU AN ENGAGEMENT RING ON A SPECIAL DAY LIKE YOUR
BIRTHDAY, CHRISTMAS, EASTER, ETC., IT CAN BE REGARDED AS A GIFT
AND NEED NOT BE RETURNED. YOU MUST RETURN IT IF HE GIVES IT TO
YOU ON AN ORDINARY DAY.

Submitter comment: I LEARNED THIS INFORMATION FROM MY GIRL FRIEND, MARGIE SMITH,
ABOUT 1960.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 25 Christmas Also see F642, below.
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Engagement ring
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Fixed DateFor specific dates, use the following system:
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Movable Date
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Season
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Palm Sunday

Date learned: 05-12-1965

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MONOLOGUE

THERE ONCE LIVED A YOUNG INDIAN GIRL CALLED NO ONE'S MAIDEN, FOR
SHE HAD NO PARENTS AND LIVED WITH THE WITCHDOCTOR AND HIS MEAN
WIFE. NO ONE'S MAIDEN WORKED TOO HARD TO PLAY OR DANCE AND NO
MAN WISHED HER FOR SHE HAD NO DOWRY. ONE NIGHT THE WITCH DOCTOR
TOLD HER TO GO FOR A WALK, SO SHE SAT BY THE LAKE AND GAZED AT
THE MOON. SHE SANG A SONG ABOUT HOW LONELY SHE WAS AND TOLD THE
MOON SHE WAS SORRY FOR HIM BECAUSE HE WAS LONELY TOO. THE INDIANS
CALLED THE MOON NANNY. SHE TOLD NANNY SHE WOULD LIKE TO VISIT
HIM AND CHEER HIM UP. THE MOON BEGAN TO SHINE AND A SILVER PATH
CAME DOWN FOR NO ONE'S MAIDEN TO VISIT ON. THE MOON CALLED HER
NANNY MAYEY, WHICH MEANS MOON PATH. FOR TWO NIGHTS SHE VISITED
THE MOON BUT ON THE SECOND NIGHT WAS SEEN BY HER PEOPLE. SHE
RETURNED TO THEM AS NANNY MAYEY AND WAS ADORED BY ALL. EVEN NOW,
HOWEVER, NANNY THROWS DOWN THE SILVER PATH TO REMIND PEOPLE OF
NANNY MAYEY.

Where learned: ILLINOIS ; CHICAGO

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Moon
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Woman
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank
BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank

Date learned: 00-00-1970

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KNOCK, KNOCK STREET

I CAN REMEMBER HEARING THIS TALE ABOUT FIFTEEN YEARS AGO.
APPARENTLY A YOUNG GIRL RETURNING HOME FROM HOLY COMMUNION
WAS STRUCK DOWN BY A HIT-AND-RUN MOTORIST. THE GIRL WAS
KILLED INSTANTLY; HER HAND, HOWEVER, WAS SEVERED FROM HER
BODY AND NEVER FOUND. LEGEND HAS IT THAT THE STREET FROM
THAT MOMENT ON HAS MADE A KNOCKING SOUND (SUPPOSEDLY THE
SEVERED HAND KNOCKING ON THE STREET).

Submitter comment: I CAN VAGUELY REMEMBER TAKING A RIDE TO THE SCENE AND ACTUALLY
HEARING SOMETHING. I BELIEVE THE NAME OF THE STREET WAS
STRASSBURG.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank
ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Means of transportation Vehicle propelled by mechanical or other force on land
BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hands, palms, fingernails

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

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THE TEXAS RANGERS

TEXAS IS THE PLACE THAT GROWS BIGGER AND BETTER--AND THE TEXAS
RANGERS GROW BIG, TOO. SEEMS AS THOUGH THERE WAS A RIOT IN ONE OF
THE TOWNS AND THE MAYOR WIRED FOR A COMPANY OF RANGERS. THEY WERE
SUPPOSED TO DISPERSE THE MOB. PRETTY SOON, A LONE RANGER SHOWED
UP. "HEY," SAID THE MAYOR, "IT'S A TOUGH MOB--I WIRED FOR A
COMPANY OF RANGERS, NOT JUST ONE RANGER!"
"WELL," DRAWLED THE RANGER, "YOU AIN'T GOT BUT ONE MOB, AIN'T YOU?"

Where learned: NOT GIVEN

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Abnormal in size
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Lie Tall tale
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank

Date learned: 07-00-1964

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LEONARD QUICKBEAR

WHEN I WAS COACHING THE HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL TEAM AT THE ST.
FRANCIS MISSION ON THE SIOUX INDIAN RESERVATION IN SOUTH DAKOTA,
OUR STAR PLAYER WAS AN INDIAN BY THE NAME OF LEONARD QUICKBEAR.
HE WAS ONLY ABOUT 5' 7", BUT HE COULD TOUCH THE RIM OF THE BASKET.
EVERYONE ON THE TEAM WAS EXCEPTIONALLY QUICK, SO I USED TO GIVE
THEM A REAL PASSING WORKOUT. WHEN THEY GOT THE BALL MOVING AROUND
AS FAST AS I'D EVER SEEN A HIGH SCHOOL TEAM MOVE IT, I TOLD THEM
THEY LOOKED LIKE TIRED 8TH GRADERS. I KEPT YELLING AT THEM, AND
THEY FINALLY GOT THE BALL MOVING AROUND TEN TIMES AS FAST AS
BEFORE.
LEONARD'S BEST SHOT WAS FROM RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE BENCH. HE'D
TURN WITH HIS BACK TO THE BASKET, STANDING RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE
BENCH, AND FLIP THE BALL BACKWARDS OVER HIS HEAD. IT WENT IN
ABOUT 80 PERCENT OF THE TIME.
WELL, WE WON THE STATE HIGH SCHOOL TOURNAMENT THAT YEAR, AND THEN
WE CHALLENGED THE HARLEM GLOBETROTTERS TO A GAME. YOU KNOW HOW
THEY ALWAYS FOOL AROUND AND PLAY TRICKS DURING A GAME. WELL, THEY
BEAT US BY THREE OR FIVE POINTS, AND THEY NEVER GOT FAR ENOUGH
AHEAD TO TRY ANY TRICKS.
AFTER LEONARD GOT OUT OF HIGH SCHOOL, HE FORMED A TEAM SIMILAR TO
THE GLOBETROTTERS. THEY WERE PLAYING AT OLYMPIA ONE NIGHT. BY
THIS TIME, MY WIFE AND I HAD MOVED TO DETROIT, SO WE DECIDED TO GO
DOWN AND SEE THEM PLAY. THE SIGN OUT IN FRONT OF OLYMPIA READ,
"LEONARD QUICKBEAR & HIS SIOUX INDIANS." WELL, THAT WAS IN THE
DAYS WHEN, DURING HOCKEY SEASON, THEY'D PUT THE BASKETBALL FLOOR
RIGHT OVER THE ICE. AS THE TEAMS CAME OUT, I DIDN'T SEE LEONARD.
SO FINALLY I JUMPED RIGHT UP, RAN DOWN, JUMPED OVER THE RETAINING
WALL, AND THEN I SLIPPED ON THE ICE. FINALLY I GOT UP AND RAN
OVER TO ONE OF THE INDIANS AND ASKED HIM WHERE LEONARD WAS.
"OH," HE SAID, "WE LEFT HIM IN CHICAGO."

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT HIGH SCHOOL ; HISTORY CLASS

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Pastime
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School

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SHE'S--MARKED:

BURNING "S" ON THE FACE OF A FEMALE WAS TO SHOW THAT SHE WAS AN
AN ADULTERER. THE MARK COULD BE ALSO CUT ON HER FACE.

Submitter comment: THIS ITEM WAS LEARNED DURING HIS LATE ADOLESCENT STAGE IN HIS HOME TOWN.
THIS ITEM WAS TOLD TO HIM BY HIS ACQUAINTANCES WHEN HE VISITED IRELAND. THIS
TALE CAME ABOUT IN THE EARLY YEARS OF IRELAND'S BIRTH. THE SIGN WAS PUT ON THE
WOMAN'S FACE SO TO TELL "THE WORLD" OF HER SIN. I DIDN'T GET AN EXPLANATION WHY
THEY USED THE LETTER S.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; IRELAND

James Callow Keyword(s): BRANDING ; PUNISHMENT

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank

Date learned: 00001930S

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IRISH GIFT GIVING CUSTOM

ALWAYS PUT MONEY (SILVER) IN A WALLET OR PURSE THAT YOU ARE
GIVING AS A GIFT. THIS SHOWS YOU WISH THE PERSON TO BE
PROSPEROUS.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED THIS CUSTOM FROM HIS GRANDMOTHER.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): GIFT-GIVING

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank

Date learned: 11-22-1974

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