Italian Superstitions
by Scott Simon
NPR radio show to listen to.
Great example of a real Italian accent too!
Listen: NPR_Italian_Superstitions
Extra List For You:
Never lay a loaf of bread upside down
Never stick a knife into a loaf of bread
Never cross arms when shaking hands or while toasting in a group
Never toast with a glass of water
Owls are bad luck
Number 17 is bad luck
Do not let your cup clink with another if you are toasting with a plastic cup
Do not throw away bread and if you really have to, kiss the bread first
If you sweep a broom over someone’s feet or if you sit at the corner of the table, you won’t get married
Don’t knock on wood, touch iron instead
No crossing utensils on your plate
If you hear a ringing sound in your ears someone is gossiping about you
Malocchio: Has to do with someone looking at or thinking of someone else with envy. The person who is being envied becomes at risk of all kinds of bad luck unless a rituals and prayer is performed to drive away the malocchio
Corna: Making a fist and then pointing only your index and pinky finger up is called, corna. If your hand is pointed down, this gesture is warding off il malocchio. If pointed up, it is an extreme insult.
La Strada Hawaii 