The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

It has been a superstition in my family, that if you give
someone a gift that is sharp they should give to you a penny. You
also are expected to give the bearer of a sharp gift to you a
penny. Examples of sharp gifts are scissors, knife, or cookie
cutter. The meaning behind this superstition is that the sharp
gift could sever the friendship between the two people if the penny
is not given in return.

James Callow comment: See Hand, North Carolina I, no. 3577.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN

Subject headings:

BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank
BELIEF -- Measure of quality Monetary systemMoneyWealth

Date learned: 03-00-1974