"Russian Supertitions"

long journey travelers, and all those who are seeing them

off, must sit for a moment in silence before leaving the house. It is often conveniently written off as a time to sit and think of anything one may have forgotten.

house on a long journey, their room and/or their things

should not be cleaned up until they have arrived, or at least a day has passed if they are guests in a house.

practiced in Russia as in other countries. However Russians tend

to add a symbolic three spits over one's left shoulder (or simply with the head turned to the left), and Russians will often knock three times as well. Traditionally one was spitting on the devil (who is always on the left).

luck in Russia, as is looking at one's reflection in

a broken mirror. The effect is also more severe than 7 years of bad luck (as in American culture).

on another person's foot, it is common for the person

who was stepped on to lightly step on the foot of the person who stepped first. It is said that they thus avoid a future conflict.

be celebrated on or after one's birthday, not before. So

when one's birthday falls during the week, it's best to celebrate the following weekend. And never give someone birthday wishes before their birthday.

a bad omen. It is better to leave it behind,

but if returning is necessary, one should look in the mirror before leaving the house again. Otherwise the journey will be bad.

giving sharp objects, like knives or scissors, as gifts, to

be taboo. You can avoid this taboo taking symbolic little money, for example one Russian ruble, in exchange as if it is a trade, not a gift.

to step over people, or parts of their body, who

are on the ground. It is often said that it will prevent the person from growing (if they are not fully grown already). It is better to ask the person to move or to find a way around them. If one accidentally steps over a person (or people), it is sometimes standard to step backwards over them.

not sit at the corner of the table. Otherwise they

will not marry. This mostly applies to girls, and often only young girls. Sometimes it is said that you will not marry for 7 years, making it all right for young children to sit there.

purse as a gift requires a little money inside. Given

empty it causes bad financial luck.

not stand on the threshold of a house or apartment,

and you must not talk across it or hand anything across it.