The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

THIS CUSTOM IS USUALLY ERFORMED AT UKRAINIAN PARTIES.
A BUCKET IS FILLED WITH WATER AND EACH GIRL GETS
TWO BURNT MATCHSTICKS APIECE. ONE AT A TIME, THEY
PUT THE MATCHSTICKS IN THE WATER SO THAT THEY FLOAT
ON THE TOP, ONE REPRESENTS THE GIRL AND THE OTHER
REPRESENTS HER BOYFRIEND. THEY LET THEM FLOAT FOR A
FEW MINUTES AND IF THEY MEET IN THE WATER AND TOUCH
EACH OTHER, IT MEANS THAT THE GIRL AND HER BOYFRIEND
HAVE A FUTURE TOGETHER.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT

Subject headings:

BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank
BELIEF -- Marriage Dating Courtship
BELIEF -- Use of Object

Date learned: 03-02-1971