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A CUSTOM PERFORMED AT WEDDINGS IN NAPLES, ITALY, IS
PERFORMED AT THE RECEPTION. THE BEST MAN TAKES THE
GROOM'S TIE AND CUTS IT INTO MANY TINY PIECES. HE THEN SELLS
THE PIECES TO THE GUESTS AT THE WEDDING. HE THEN GIVES ALL
THE MONEY TO THE GROOM.

Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT SAYS THAT THIS CUSTOM HELPS THE NEWLYWEDS SET
UP HOUSEKEEPING. SHE ALSO SAID THAT MONEY IS USUALLY GIVEN
RATHER THAN A MATERIAL GIFT. IF THE BRIDE OR GROOM'S FAMILY
ARE WELL TO DO, THEY MAY EVEN GIFT THE COUPLE WITH A FLAT
OR AN APARTMENT.

Where learned: ITALY ; NAPLES

Keyword(s): MONEY ; WEDDING CUSTOM

Subject headings: Favorites
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage

Date learned: 00001980S

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CUSTOM

IT IS AN ITALIAN CUSTOM THAT MAN AND WOMAN BECOME ENGAGED AFTER
THE THIRD DATE. THE ENGAGEMENT THEN LASTS FOR 2 YEARS.

Where learned: ITALY ; NAPLES

Subject headings: 686 Seconds / Twice / Two
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Dating, courtship mechanics
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Engagement

Date learned: 11-04-1968

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CUSTOM

WHEN AN ITALIAN GIRL DATES, HER MOTHER ALWAYS GOES ALONG AS
A CHAPERONE.

Where learned: ITALY ; NAPLES

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Dating, courtship mechanics

Date learned: 11-04-1968

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CUSTOM

BEFORE AN ITALIAN MALE IS MARRIED, HIS FATHER TAKES HIM TO A PROSTI-
TUTE. AFTER THIS EXPERIENCE, THE UNMARRIED MALE IS CIRCUMCISED.

Where learned: ITALY ; NAPLES

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage

Date learned: 11-04-1968

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CUSTOM

IN NAPLES, ITALY, THE PEOPLE CELEBRATE A HOLIDAY CALLED GRAVE YARD
DAY , WHICH OCCURS IN THE SPRING OF EVERY YEAR. ON THIS DAY THE
PEOPLE GO TO VISIT THE GRAVES OF DEAD RELATIVES.

Where learned: ITALY ; NAPLES

James Callow Keyword(s): GRAVEYARD

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting

Date learned: 11-04-1968

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IF SOMEONE HAS MORE THAN I DO, ITS ALRIGHT FOR ME TO STEAL FROM HIM.

Submitter comment: THIS IS THE PHILOSOPHY OF THE THIEVE OF NAPLES, AND IS ACTUALLY
PRACTICED.

James Callow comment: THIEF THIEVES

Where learned: ITALY ; NAPLES

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Common law
BELIEF -- Common law

Date learned: 11-04-1968

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A CURE FOR BOILS

MY GRANDFATHER, FRANK PIAZZA, HAD A SMALL SISTER WHO HAD A VERY
LARGE BOIL ON HER CHEEK OF HER FACE WHEN SHE WAS TWO YEARS OLD. HER
PARENTS TOOK HER TO DOCTORS AND THE RESULTS WERE ALWAYS THE SAME, "WE
COULD OPERATE BUT THERE WOULD BE A LARGE VISIBLE SCAR."
MY GRANDFATHER'S PARENTS THOUGHT IT OVER, AND REMEMBERED A "BOIL
CURE" FROM THEIR OWN PARENTS.
THE CURE WAS TO ALWAYS KEEP GOOSE FAT ON THE BOIL, AND EVENTUALLY IT
WILL DISAPPEAR.
THE PARENTS DID THIS TO THEIR LITTLE GIRL, AND THE BOIL FINALLY WENT
AWAY.

Submitter comment: THIS IS A PIAZZA FAMILY CURE THAT HAS BEEN IN THE PIAZZA FAMILY FOR
MANY, MANY YEARS. THIS CURE HAS BEEN PUT TO USE THREE TIMES IN THAT
FAMILY, AND EACH TIME IT HAS WORKED.

Where learned: BUFFALO ; ITALY ; NEW YORK

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Body part Senses
BELIEF -- Animal
BELIEF -- Method of Curing

Date learned: 11-00-1973

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IN LATIN COUNTRIES IT IS CUSTOMARY FOR A MAN TO SERENADE
THE WOMAN HE LOVES. IN ANGONE, A TOWN IN THE REGION OF
MOLISE, ITALY, A MAN WILL GATHER SOME OF HIS FRIENDS AND/OR
HIRE SOME MUSICIANS AND SERENADE HIS FIANCE THE NIGHT
BEFORE THE WEDDING. THIS TAKES PLACE AT APPROXIMATELY
9:00 P.M. WHEN THE MEN COME TO SERENADE, THEY BRING A
LADDER,WHEN THEY ARE FINISHED SINGING, THE PARENTS OF
THE BRIDE INVITE THE GROOM AND HIS PARTY TO COME IN FOR REFRESHMENTS. THEY MUST THEN CLIMB THE LADDER IN TO THE
GIRLS BEDROOM. THIS IS A CUSTOM OF WELCOMING THE GROOM TO
THE FAMILY. IN METROPOLITAN AREAS WHERE THE BRIDE MAY LIVE
IN A HIGH RISE APARTMENT, SOME GROOMS HAVE BORROWED FIRE
TRUCKS WITH LADDERS TO CLIMB INTO THE GIRL'S ROOM.

Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT LEARNED OF THIS CUSTOM WHEN VISITING ITALY.

Where learned: ITALY ; AGNONE ; MOLISE

Keyword(s): SERENADING ; SINGING ; WEDDING CUSTOMS

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Serenade Charivari
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage

Date learned: 00001980S

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If you were doing a year's remote duty or a year's combat duty
your last ninety-nine days you were dubbed a double digit midget
on base because of the envy everyone had of you since your time
was nearly up. You made a short calendar where at the end of every
work day you would color in the appropriate number of that day. When
you finally got to day one, your tour was over and the next day
you were returning back to the states.

Where learned: ITALY ; SICILY ; Comiso Air Station

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F535

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A LIGHT IN ST. MARK'S SQUARE

IF A GIRL LIGHT(S) A CIGARETTE IN ST. MARK'S SQUARE IN
VENICE , ITALY, IT MEANS SHE IS LOOKING FOR A MAN
TO SPEND THE NIGHT WITH.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED THIS AS A TOURIST VISITING ITALY.

Where learned: ITALY

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

Date learned: 05-19-1965

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IN ITALY THE FATHER PICKED THE HUSBANDS FOR HIS
DAUGHTERS WHO HAVE TO MARRY IN THEIR OWN CHURCH
OR NOT AT ALL.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ITALY ; DETROIT

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Parental arrangement of marriage

Date learned: 07-00-1964

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THE WEDDING RING IS CUSTOMARILY WORN ON THE THIRD
FINGER OF THE LEFT HAND IN ITALY. THE ENGAGEMENT
RING IS GENERALLY NOT A DIAMOND, BUT SOME OTHER
PRECIOUS STONE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ITALY ; MARYGROVE COLLEGE ; DETROIT

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Worn on left hand

Date learned: 00001968 FALL

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IN ITALY AFTER THE WEDDING PARTY, WHEN THE COUPLE
HAVE LEFT FOR THEIR NEW HOME, THE BEST MAN GATHERS
HIS FRIENDS AND THEY GO OVER AND SERENADE THE WEDDING
COUPLE. IF THE BRIDE AND GROOM DO NOT GET UP AND
GIVE THEM A DRINK, THE GROUP WOULD START PLAYING
TRICKS.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT WAS ALWAYS TOO YOUNG TO PARTAKE IN THIS
ACTIVITY, BUT SAW IT DONE OFTEN AS A CHILD. SHE
THOUGHT IT WAS A LOT OF FUN.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ITALY ; ALLEN PARK

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage F545.1341

Date learned: 02-06-1972 ; CHILDHOOD

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NEW YEAR'S EVE CUSTOM

AT MIDNIGHT ON NEW YEAR'S EVE IN NAPLES, THE PEOPLE DISCARD OLD
BELONGINGS BY THROWING THEM OUT OF WINDOWS AND DOORWAYS ON TO THE
STREET. THESE BELONGINGS CONSIST OF ANYTHING FROM A CORK TO A
DINING ROOM TABLE.

Data entry tech comment:

Informant and collector are the same person.

Where learned: ITALY ; NAPLES

Subject headings: Favorites
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F123
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20

Date learned: 11-04-1968

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ITALIAN

IT'S BAD LUCK TO PUT A BABY'S SHOES ON THE TABLE.

Submitter comment: LEARNED AS A YOUNG WOMAN LIVING IN ITALY.

Where learned: ITALY ; NEW YORK ; YONKERS

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Bad luck Furniture (bed, table, chair, etc.)
BELIEF -- Bad luck Clothing (dress, hat, shoes, suit, etc.)

Date learned: 12-27-1963

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IF A PERSON KILLS A CAT FOR ANY REASON, NINE GENERATIONS
OF HIS FAMILY WILL HAVE BAD LUCK.

Submitter comment: THIS WAS TOLD TO THE INFORMANT BY HER SISTER-IN-LAW
WHO WAS BORN IN ITALY AND PROBABLY RECEIVING SUCH
A WARNING FROM HER MOTHER WHEN SHE WAS A YOUNGSTER.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ITALY ; DETROIT

Subject headings: 686 Ninths / Nine
BELIEF -- Bad luck Animals

Date learned: 04-11-1965

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FATE

A BEAUTIFUL WOMAN BRINGS GOOD FORTUNE; AN OLD WOMAN
WILL BRING YOU BAD LUCK.

Submitter comment: THIS IS BELIEVED BY THE POOR PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN SMALL
TOWNS IN ITALY.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ITALY ; DETROIT

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Good luck P881.2
BELIEF -- Bad luck P882.2

Date learned: 12-01-1967

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IT WAS SAID IN ITALY THAT YOU COULD GET RID OF WARTS IN THE
FOLLOWING WAY:
CUT A POTATO IN HALF. RUB THE WART WITH A HALF OF THE POTATO.
NEXT, BURY THE POTATO. WHEN THE POTATO DECAYS, THE WART WILL
DISAPPEAR.

Submitter comment: GUIDO HAD A WART ON HIS HAND AND THIS WAS ONE OF THE FOLK CURES
HIS MOTHER MADE HIM TRY TO GET RID OF IT.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ITALY ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): PLUGGING TRANSFER

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Method of Curing

Date learned: 10-12-1971

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ITALIAN SUPERSTITION

IN ITALY IT IS BELIEVED THAT IF A YOUNG GIRL GOES OUT ON
A DATE WITHOUT A CHAPERONE, SHE IS NO LONGER A VIRGIN,
AND IS NOT ELIGIBLE TO MARRY A MAN OF POSITION.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED THIS WHEN SHE LIVED IN ITALY WHILE
HER FATHER, AN ARMY OFFICER, WAS STATIONED THERE.

Where learned: NOT GIVEN ; ITALY

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Marriage Dating, courtship mechanics

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

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ITALIAN SUPERSTITION

DON'T THROW MONEY ON A BED OR YOU'LL LOSE IT.

Submitter comment: LEARNED FROM HER MOTHER WHO ONCE LIVED IN ITALY.

Where learned: ITALY ; NEW YORK ; YONKERS

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal
BELIEF -- Daily Life
BELIEF -- Measure of quality Monetary systemMoneyWealth

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