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BELIEF

IF A PERSON ENTERS ONE DOOR, HE SHOULD LEAVE BY THE SAME TO
AVOID BAD LUCK.

Submitter comment:

THIS INFORMANTS GRANDMOTHER ALWAYS MADE SURE THIS WAS DONE IN
HER HOUSE.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; 9234 EVALINE ; Woods, Tom

Keyword(s): BELIEF ; Door ; Entrance ; Exit ; Huse ; LUCK ; SUPERSTITION

James Callow Keyword(s): DIRECTION ; POSITION

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank
BELIEF -- Bad luck

Date learned: 09-22-1970

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WALKING DOWN STAIRS

WHEN WALKING UP OR DOWN STAIRS WITH ANOTHER PERSON THE TWO
PEOPLE MUST WALK ON THE SAME SIDE OF THE STAIRS OR BAD LUCK
WILL FOLLOW THEM.

Submitter comment:

INFORMANTS AUNT TOLD HER THIS. INFORMANT HAS BEEN WITH HER
AUNT WHEN SHE HAS DONE THIS.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; 4016 33RD ST ; Holtyn, Phyllis

Keyword(s): BELIEF ; LUCK ; Relationship ; Stairs ; SUPERSTITION

James Callow Keyword(s): DIRECTION ; POSITION

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

Date learned: 03-05-1971

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RAILROAD CROSSING

WHENEVER DRIVING OVER RAILROAD TRACKS EVERYONE IN THE CAR
SHOULD LIFT THEIR FEET OFF THE FLOOR, DRIVER INCLUDED, AND
TOUCH THE ROOF OF THE CAR WITH THEIR HANDS. THIS IS TO INSURE THE
OCCUPANTS OF A LONG LIFE AND TO WARD OFF THE COMING OF OLD AGE.

Submitter comment:

INFORMANT DOES THIS OFTEN WHEN CROSSING RAILROAD TRACKS IN A CAR.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; 4016 33RD ST ; Holtyn, Phyllis

Keyword(s): BELIEF ; Car ; FEET ; Roof ; SUPERSTITION ; Tracks

James Callow Keyword(s): DIRECTION ; POSITION

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Body part Senses Feet, toes, toenails
BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank
SPEECH -- Gesture

Date learned: 02-20-1971

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BAD GIFT

A GIFT OF A KNIFE WILL PUT AN END TO, OR CUT A FRIENDSHIP.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; Jablowski, Gerry

Keyword(s): BELIEF ; FRIENDSHIP ; GIFT ; Relationship ; Sharp ; SUPERSTITION

James Callow Keyword(s): HOMEOPATHIC

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

Date learned: 03-31-1968

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SUPERSTITIOUS BELIEF

IF YOU GIVE A PIN TO SOMEONE WHO'S YOUR FRIEND AND THEY DO
NOT GIVE YOU A PENNY BACK, SOONER OR LATER YOU HAVE A FIGHT AND YOU
LOSE THEM AS A FRIEND. ( THIS ALSO EXTENDS TO ANY GIFT THAT CUTS.)

Submitter comment:

INFORMANTS MOTHER BELEIVES THIS FIRMLY AND SAYS THAT SOONER OR LATER
YOU ARE SURE TO LOSE THIS FRIEND IF THIS SMALL RITUAL IS NOT
CARRIED OUT.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; Wright, Jeanette

Keyword(s): BELIEF ; FRIENDSHIP ; GIFT ; MONEY ; Payment ; Relationship ; Sharp ; SIGN ; SUPERSTITION

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

Date learned: 09-21-1969

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PREDICTION BELIEF

DO NOT GIVE A KNIFE AS A GIFT OR YOU WILL FIGHT WITH THE
PERSON TO WHOM YOU GAVE IT.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; Pauli, Ruth

Keyword(s): BELIEF ; FRIENDSHIP ; GIFT ; Relationship ; Sharp ; SUPERSTITION

James Callow Keyword(s): HOMEOPATHIC ; HOSTILITY

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

Date learned: 10-00-1969

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IF YOU VISIT PEOPLE IN A NEW HOME, BRING BREAD AND SALT
AS A GIFT, AND THE PEOPLE WILL ALWAYS HAVE PLENTY TO EAT.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; NATIONAL MANUFACTURING COMPANY ; UTICA ; Strever, Fritz

Keyword(s): BELIEF ; BREAD ; Eat ; FOOD ; GIFT ; Housewarming ; Salt ; SUPERSTITION ; SYMBOL

James Callow Keyword(s): HOMEOPATHIC

Subject headings: 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually.
BELIEF -- Plant
BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank

Date learned: 10-31-1969

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WHEN CROSSING A BRIDGE OVER WATER HOLD YOUR BREATH AND
PICK UP YOUR FEET OR YOU LOSE YOUR BOYFRIEND.

Submitter comment:

ACQUIRED IN TAMPA, FLORIDA WHILE SHE WAS IN GRADE SCHOOL.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: Verrot, Jeanne

Keyword(s): BELIEF ; Boyfriend ; BREATH ; Bridge ; FEET ; Girlfriend ; Relationship ; SUPERSTITION ; WATER

James Callow Keyword(s): DIRECTION ; POSITION

Subject headings: Prediction / Divination
BELIEF -- Body part Senses Feet, toes, toenails
BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank
BELIEF -- Marriage Dating Courtship
SPEECH -- Gesture

Date learned: 08-02-1969

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PREDICTION

WHILE GOING OVER A RAILROAD TRACK YOU MUST PICK UP YOUR FEET
OR YOU WILL LOSE YOUR BOY OR GIRL FRIEND.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; Van Hout, Celeste

Keyword(s): BELIEF ; Boyfriend ; Girlfriend ; Relationship ; SUPERSTITION ; Tracks

James Callow Keyword(s): DIRECTION ; POSITION

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Body part Senses Feet, toes, toenails
BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank
BELIEF -- Marriage Dating Courtship
SPEECH -- Gesture

Date learned: 09-00-1969

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WHEN YOU ARE RIDING OVER RAILROAD TRACKS IN A CAR, YOU
SHOULD LIFT YOUR FEET OFF THE FLOOR SO YOU WILL NOT LOSE YOUR
NEXT GIRL FRIEND.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT

Keyword(s): BELIEF ; Boyfriend ; Car ; Girlfriend ; Relationship ; SUPERSTITION ; Tracks

James Callow Keyword(s): DIRECTION ; POSITION

Subject headings:

Date learned: 09-25-1968

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GOOD LUCK

WHEN GIVING A PURSE OR WALLET AS A GIFT, ALWAYS INCLUDE A PENNY
SO THE PERSON WON'T GO BROKE.

WHEN GIVING A GIFT WITH A SHARP EDGE, SUCH AS A KNIFE OR A LETTER-OPENER, ALWAYS INCLUDE A COIN SO THE FRIENDSHIP WON'T BE CUT.

Submitter comment:

These customs were telated with skepticism, but I receivedf a purse as a gift (with a penny included!) on the very same day.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

James Callow comment:

Re: Collector Comment: [I am glad you are including this kind of information.]

Where learned: OHIO ; LIMA ; Keller, Margaret ; 654 Northern

Keyword(s): BELIEF ; COIN ; Cut ; FRIENDSHIP ; GIFT ; MONEY ; Relationship ; Sharp ; SUPERSTITION

James Callow Keyword(s): HOMEOPATHIC

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

Date learned: 11-00-1969

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BELIEF

WHEN A FRIEND LEAVES, DON'T WATCH HIM GO OUT OF SIGHT
OR YOU WILL NEVER SEE HIM AGAIN.

Submitter comment:

I WAS TOLD THIS WHEN PARTED FROM BOY FRIEND WHO BELIEVED THIS.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; 20209 HANNA ; Maloney, Michael

Keyword(s): BELIEF ; Departure ; Goodbye ; Relationship ; SUPERSTITION

James Callow Keyword(s): HOMEOPATHIC

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

Date learned: 04-00-1972

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WHEN AN UNFAMILIAR GUEST ENTERS YOUR HOME, YOU
MUST HAVE FRESH FLOWERS IN THE HOUSE. THIS CUSTOM
ENSURED A HAPPY VISIT FOR BOTH PARTIES.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: CANADA ; COLLECTED BY MAIL ; MONTREAL

Keyword(s): BELIEF ; CUSTOM ; FLOWERS ; Guest ; HOSPITALITY ; SUPERSTITION ; tradition

Subject headings: 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually.
BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank
BELIEF -- Bad luck

Date learned: 00-00-1970

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WEDDING DRESS OMEN

A GIRL SHOULD NEVER WEAR A WEDDING DRESS BEFORE HER TIME OR SHE WILL
REMAIN A WIDOW.

Submitter comment:

A BELIEF FROM SABINAS, MEXICO. PROBABLY COMMON IN MANY COUNTRIES. IN
FORMANT EXPRESSED LITTLE BELIEF IN IT HERSELF.
BY WIDOW THE INFORMANT MEANS SPINSTER MAIDEN.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): BAD LUCK ; BELIEF ; DEATH ; DRESS ; LUCK ; OMEN ; SUPERSTITION ; WEDDING

Subject headings: Observation
ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Dress
BELIEF -- Marriage
BELIEF -- Bad luck

Date learned: 11-00-1981

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OYSTERS WERE NEVER EATEN IN THE MONTHS THAT HAD NO
"R" IN THEM.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: OHIO ; TOLEDO

Keyword(s): BELIEF ; Consumption ; CUSTOM ; FOOD ; Letter ; Oysters ; RITUAL ; SUPERSTITION

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Custom
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of time Month
Food Drink -- Meat Fish and other animal life related to water

Date learned: 10-00-1968

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VEGETABLES BELIEF

EAT VEGETABLES AND YOU WILL SLEEP LESS BUT WILL FEEL BETTER.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): BELIEF ; Consume ; CUSTOM ; Eat ; Old Wives Tale ; SLEEP ; SUPERSTITION ; VEGETABLE

James Callow Keyword(s): PLANT

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Plant

Date learned: 11-02-1971

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SUPERSTITION

ON YOUR WEDDING DAY YOU MUST HAVE A PAIR OF PENNY LOAFERS
WITH A PENNY IN THEM, WITH THE DATE OF YOUR BIRTH ON IT.
THIS WILL BRING GOOD LUCK ON THE HONEYMOON

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK

Keyword(s): GOOD LUCK ; MARRIAGE ; OMEN ; Penny ; SUPERSTITION ; SYMBOL ; WEDDING

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Marriage Penny in shoe
BELIEF -- Good luck P881.41

Date learned: 02-00-1979

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Railroad Tracks

Lift up your feet when you cross railroad tracks, or you will lose your boyfriend.

Data entry tech comment:

Input by TRD

Where learned: McIvor, Mary,

Keyword(s): BELIEF ; Boyfriend ; CUSTOM ; RAILROAD ; SUPERSTITION

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank
BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance

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DEATH BELIEF

IF SOMEONE LEAVES, DO NOT SHUT THE GATE RIGHT AFTER HIM
OR HE WILL DIE SOON.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN ; Cooney, Irene

Keyword(s): BELIEF ; CUSTOM ; DEATH ; Gate ; Guest ; Leave ; OMEN ; SUPERSTITION

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

Date learned: 01-00-1968

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GIFT BELIEF

A PURSE GIVEN AS A PRESENT SHOULD ALWAYS HAVE A PENNY IN IT SO
THE RECEIVER WON'T GO BROKE.

Submitter comment:

FROM HIS MOTHER

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; Fizette, Ken

Keyword(s): BELIEF ; CUSTOM ; GIFT ; MONEY ; Penny ; SUPERSTITION

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

Date learned: 10-04-1965

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