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Superstitions
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Whether they realize it or not, most people are at least a little superstitious. Of course, some people are more superstitious than others, and most of them don't mind admitting it. But since superstitions are culturally-based, everyone growing up in a certain culture is exposed to the same irrational beliefs.
Just like basic attitudes and beliefs, superstitions vary from culture to culture. Sometimes people don't even realize that their customs are based on ancient superstitions. One good example is Valentine's Day.
On Valentine's Day we send cards or gifts of flowers or chocolates(depending on culture) to our sweethearts, but that custom is based on a British Isles superstition dating back to the middle ages.
Beginning in the 1400s, young women drew names from a box to find out who they should marry. The name (Valentine) that a girl picked was thought to be a "good omen" and the man she should marry.
By the 1800s men were also choosing Valentines from a box, but they had to pick the same name three times for their choice to be valid. If that happened, it was a sure sign that they should marry that person.
Another superstition connected with Valentine's Day was that the first person of the opposite sex that a young woman or man saw before 12o'clock that day would be their Valentine. So those who didn't want to have their future mate chosen in such a random way would stay bed until noon, refusing to go outside!
Some superstitions have their clear cultural links. For example, in Asian countries where women have always been treated as being inferior to men, it's considered bad luck for a store owner if the first customer of the day is female. The number 4 is also considered bad luck because its Chinese character is pronounced the same as the word for death.
Other superstitions are more difficult to explain. For example, in Eastern European countries it's considered bad luck to show a baby his or her own face in a mirror because it might scare the soul out of the baby.
Most superstitions around the world seem to be totally illogical with no basis in fact whatsoever. Why is a 4-leaf considered to be good luck? Just because it's rare?
Why is a black cat thought to be bad luck in North America but not in Asia?
Why is black associated with evil and white with goodness?
We're not supoosed to be able to explain superstitions. If we could, we wouldn't able to call them superstitions anymore!
Q1) Do you believe that palm readers can know about a person just by looking at his or her hand? Do you think that any of it is true? Why or why not?
Q2) Why are some people superstitious while others are not? Does it depend on a person's background or experiences in life?
Q3) What are some superstitions that you know and tell whether you believe them or not.
Q4) What do you think of our Valentine's Day customs now that you know they are based on old superstitions? Does it change your opinion of Valentine's Day?
이 글은「대학연합영어토론동아리」www.pioneerclub.com에서 제공하는 영어토론 정보입니다.
Just like basic attitudes and beliefs, superstitions vary from culture to culture. Sometimes people don't even realize that their customs are based on ancient superstitions. One good example is Valentine's Day.
On Valentine's Day we send cards or gifts of flowers or chocolates(depending on culture) to our sweethearts, but that custom is based on a British Isles superstition dating back to the middle ages.
Beginning in the 1400s, young women drew names from a box to find out who they should marry. The name (Valentine) that a girl picked was thought to be a "good omen" and the man she should marry.
By the 1800s men were also choosing Valentines from a box, but they had to pick the same name three times for their choice to be valid. If that happened, it was a sure sign that they should marry that person.
Another superstition connected with Valentine's Day was that the first person of the opposite sex that a young woman or man saw before 12o'clock that day would be their Valentine. So those who didn't want to have their future mate chosen in such a random way would stay bed until noon, refusing to go outside!
Some superstitions have their clear cultural links. For example, in Asian countries where women have always been treated as being inferior to men, it's considered bad luck for a store owner if the first customer of the day is female. The number 4 is also considered bad luck because its Chinese character is pronounced the same as the word for death.
Other superstitions are more difficult to explain. For example, in Eastern European countries it's considered bad luck to show a baby his or her own face in a mirror because it might scare the soul out of the baby.
Most superstitions around the world seem to be totally illogical with no basis in fact whatsoever. Why is a 4-leaf considered to be good luck? Just because it's rare?
Why is a black cat thought to be bad luck in North America but not in Asia?
Why is black associated with evil and white with goodness?
We're not supoosed to be able to explain superstitions. If we could, we wouldn't able to call them superstitions anymore!
Q1) Do you believe that palm readers can know about a person just by looking at his or her hand? Do you think that any of it is true? Why or why not?
Q2) Why are some people superstitious while others are not? Does it depend on a person's background or experiences in life?
Q3) What are some superstitions that you know and tell whether you believe them or not.
Q4) What do you think of our Valentine's Day customs now that you know they are based on old superstitions? Does it change your opinion of Valentine's Day?
이 글은「대학연합영어토론동아리」www.pioneerclub.com에서 제공하는 영어토론 정보입니다.
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