Of Ladders, Mirrors and Black Cats

Superstitious people may believe that performing certain actions endow bad luck on the one performing them, causing them great misfortune in the future. Are these worries justified?

Inspecting these superstitions further, it becomes evident that they do have substance, even if only a little! Think twice before doing any of the following...

Why should you not step on a crack on a footpath?

• If not careful, you could get your foot caught in one and trip.

Why should you not talk while jinxed?

• You may attract negative criticism from other people.

Why should you not cross the path of a black cat?
If you happen to step on the cat:

• The cat may get defensive and scratch you.
• The above is especially frightening when you cannot see the cat in the veil of night.
• If the cat gets injured, the owner may sue you.

Why should you not walk under a ladder?

• The ladder may not be particularly stable and may collapse on you.
• You can hit your head on it.
• The person standing on the ladder may drop something on you (accidentally or otherwise).

Why should you not open an umbrella indoors?

• Space indoors is usually limited, and you may hit someone with it.
• That someone may sue you.
• If that umbrella is dripping wet, you may make the floor slippery and someone may slip.
• That someone may sue you.

Why should you not break a mirror?

• Mirrors are made of glass. If glass breaks, it shatters into very sharp shards which can scratch you.
• If a shard inserts into your skin, it becomes very difficult and painful to pry it out.
• You would look very ugly on that broken mirror and you may downgrade your self-esteem as a result.