In France superstitions and odd customs are a day by day lifestyle says Janine Marsh as she takes you down the rabbit gap of the superstitions and peculiar beliefs of the French…
Treading in canine poo is fortunate in France
Now I have to say, being superstitious is regular in most, if not all, international locations. And loads of superstitions are the identical in France as they’re in lots of international locations – like not strolling below a ladder and fortunate black cats. However France additionally has some superstitions which are very peculiar like believing it’s fortunate to tread in canine poo. Nevertheless it’s solely fortunate in case you tread in merde together with your left foot. Should you tread in it together with your proper foot – not so fortunate.
There was a store in Paris which offered “fortunate canine shit from Paris”. They clearly didn’t comply with their very own recommendation as a result of it wasn’t a finest vendor and the store has now gone. Think about somebody coming to Paris for a vacation after which taking residence a memento like that for his or her associates. “Right here you might be grandmother, I purchased you a present from Paris!” Perhaps you’ll wrap it up good, the French approach, you already know trendy paper, a ribbon, possibly some glitter. After which think about the anticipation of the particular person you’re giving the present to, they pull the ribbon, they gently peel again the paper, they elevate out the tin and skim these phrases… after which take a look at you as when you’ve got gone completely bonkers!
Even French folks don’t know why they are saying this often because it’s not very fortunate in any respect, you will have a multitude to take care of whichever foot. It most likely began as a joke as a result of in Paris some folks don’t clear up after their canine and someway the joke turned a superstition that unfold…
See an owl and provides delivery to a child woman! What?!
Someday I used to be in our native grocery store, queuing on the checkout with the standard kiss on the cheek and chit-chat occurring on the checkout, whereas all of us waited in line. That is regular in France. The checkout employees in rural French supermarkets just about know everybody that is available in and so they all the time have a catch up and a kiss over-the-counter. It wouldn’t matter if a high Hollywood star was within the queue and late for an awards ceremony. If the President popped in for a bottle of milk (which possibly might occur as he has a second residence within the seaside city of Le Touquet close to the place I stay) he’d nonetheless have to attend. It doesn’t matter who’s within the queue, or how lengthy it’s, all of us have to attend for this necessary social ritual.
Anyway, I used to be subsequent in line to be served and the girl in entrance of me who was pregnant mentioned to the girl on the counter that she had seen a “hibou” (an owl) and due to this fact her bébé was going to be a woman! Now my French is okay, although it’s not good however I used to be certain that I heard that proper. So after I received residence I l appeared it up and certain sufficient it’s an outdated French superstition. Seeing an owl once you’re pregnant foretells that you’ll be give delivery to a feminine youngster.
Halloween in France
And it will get weirder. Some French folks say that in case you sing on Halloween, it should create stormy climate! It’s Halloween, and the sky is obvious and also you’re singing a pleasant little track within the kitchen as you make your pumpkin pie, all comfortable, feeling festive, glass of wine, possibly a pleasant white from the Loire Valley or a deep crimson Bordeaux. You pop the pie within the oven, it’s been a stunning sunny day… after which a clap of thunder, a storm arrives – that could be your fault! Actually singing up a storm! I did that!
Bizarre cat superstitions
Certainly one of my neighbours used to say it was unhealthy luck to cross a stream carrying a cat! Really within the outdated days they used to imagine that in case you did that, somebody in your loved ones would die. Yep. That’s bizarre.
If a cat sneezes close to a bride on her wedding ceremony day – nice, as a result of meaning the wedding might be comfortable!
Unusual marriage superstitions
The French say “marriage pluvieux, marriage heureux”, which means: if it rains at your wedding ceremony, you should have a contented life as a pair.
And once you transfer into a brand new residence, you don’t carry your bride over the edge, you carry the eating room desk first if you wish to be fortunate! That’s so French isn’t it. The desk for the meals first, most necessary!
Very odd tooth beliefs
Now, let’s speak in regards to the tooth mouse! In some international locations once you’re a child and your tooth falls out, the tooth fairy comes and leaves you some cash. However in France they’ve a tooth mouse – referred to as la petite Souris. The little mouse collects the tooth and leaves a euro!
Speaking of tooth, how’s this for a extremely actually odd French superstition. My associates who stay a few villages alongside from mine, had a extremely outdated canine referred to as Bob, and he had some unhealthy tooth that needed to be taken out. In order that they went to the vets to get it handled. After they went to gather Bob afterwards, the vet requested them in the event that they wished to maintain the rotten tooth. “Why would we would like his tooth?” my associates requested. “For the moles” mentioned the vet and my associates mentioned they did really marvel if the vet had had a glass or two of pastis.
However no, it seems that there was a ready record for canine tooth because it’s mentioned that they hold the moles away. I’m wondering if that’s why they’re referred to as molars?
Unusual meals customs in France
Okay, let’s discuss some foodie customs as a result of in the case of France, we can’t speak for lengthy with out speaking about meals.
By no means place a baguette (and even bread on the whole) the wrong way up on a desk. This superstition comes from way back days when executioners might take issues from retailers with out paying – I imply who’s going to argue? Bakers would depart bread the wrong way up for them. Should you go away it the wrong way up, it’s mentioned that the individuals who have been meant to eat might be cursed, and you’ll invite famine into your own home.
Certainly one of my favorite meals superstitions is once you go to a restaurant and there are 13 folks in a bunch. As you already know 13 is unfortunate – so the waiter places an egg on the desk to make it 14 and keep at bay the unhealthy luck!
Fortunate Friday 13th in France!
Napoleon was fairly a superstitious man. He believed that Josephine, his beloved, introduced him good luck and it appears she actually performed up on it. As soon as when one among his ministers urged to her that it might be in the very best pursuits of France to grant Napoleon a divorce as she couldn’t bear him kids, she reported it to Napoleon and instructed him she was afraid a divorce would deliver unhealthy luck. Napoleon, who possible received the minister to speak to her within the first place, didn’t push it, at the least for some time. It’s mentioned that he actually believed he was guided by a fortunate star, he hated the quantity 13, and he didn’t like Fridays! Which is definitely the alternative to the French perception, Friday 13th is meant to be fortunate! In reality it’s the very best day to purchase your lottery ticket in France.
Fortunate locations to go to in France
Locations will be fortunate too! Like within the the Père-Lachaise Cemetery in Paris the place a number of the hundreds of graves in there are mentioned to deliver luck… On the grave of French author Allan Kardec, an uncommon dolmen-shaped tomb often called probably the most floral within the cemetery, you can also make a want and by touching a sure spot on the grave, it should come true. And if it does come true, it’s a must to come again and lay flowers – which is why it’s probably the most flowery grave within the cemetery.
And, close to the well-known Sorbonne college there’s a statue of Michel de Montaigne, a French thinker born in 1533. He’s sitting together with his legs crossed and there’s a custom for college students to rub his proper foot whereas saying “Salut Montaigne” and it’ll deliver good luck in the course of the exams!
Should you go to Dijon in Burgundy, on the nook of the church of Notre Dame constructing is somewhat brass owl, it’s mentioned that in case you rub the owl together with your left hand, not your proper hand, that doesn’t depend, and make a want it should come true. Should you stand there, you’ll see a great deal of folks come previous and rub the owl – locals and guests. I’ve rubbed it myself a couple of occasions. My want hasn’t come true but, however possibly if I purchase a ticket on Friday the thirteenth it should!
Fortunate ladybirds!
The French imagine that in case you see a ladybird, or ladybug, fly away – it’s good luck, or it may well imply good climate is on the way in which! If the ladybird lands on you, depend the dots on its again and that’s what number of comfortable months you should have. Or you can also make a want and the ladybird will take it to heaven for you. Or in case you maintain it in your hand, and it doesn’t attempt to fly away – it means the unhealthy climate is coming! It’s a really outdated superstition and goes again greater than 1000 years. King Robert the Pious (born within the 12 months 972) was watching a prisoner being executed and because the poor man bent over to have his head lopped off, a ladybird landed on his neck. The executioner tried to wave it away but it surely stayed. So King Robert mentioned it have to be an indication from God that the prisoner was in actual fact harmless, and he pardoned him.
The right way to get good luck – in line with the French!
Should you actually need some good luck to move your approach, what it’s a must to do is discover a French sailor, wearing uniform and sporting his conventional bonnet on which is somewhat crimson bobble. After which it’s a must to twiddle to the bobble. I don’t find out about twiddle, appears like twaddle to me!
Janine Marsh is the writer of a number of internationally best-selling books about France. Her newest ebook The right way to be French – a celebration of the French way of life and artwork de vivre, is out now – a take a look at the French lifestyle.
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