Jessica’s flaw #244 – I’m superstitious.

I’m Italian.  I’m superstitious.  They go hand-in-hand, don’t they?  Does being a bit Jewish make a difference too?

I’m a wood knocker.  Not just your average piece of wood and not one just in front of me.  No, that’s too easy.  If I’m out on a run, for example, and I think of something terrible or think of something good that I don’t want to change, I will run to the nearest tree and knock on it.  I try to avoid people seeing me but I can’t always be sure. I’m sure I look weird knocking on a tree in running clothes.

My mom used to tell me that it was “normal” to be so superstitious.  Maybe because her family was so wacky that way that it just seemed “normal.”  (like pinching heinies (butts) by the grandmas of the house to the grandkids of the house.  Don’t get me started on this one).  Having certain foods at funerals. Or, saying something in Italian  (with hand gestures) if someone said something bad.  I could go on and on.

I do know that I am not the only one who knocks on wood.  Many people will do similar things to avoid jinxing themselves if they comment or think about something good or bad and want to avoid making the “thing” coming true.  Athletes are notorious for being superstitious.  Like not shaving a beard or always wearing the same shirt under a uniform (to my boys — don’t even think of it!).

Athletes do not have a monopoly on superstitious behavior.  Most of us have at least one superstition.  I have to eat a banana before a marathon.  I need my shoes tied just right before a race.

I know generally that stress makes people more superstitious.  How  (not) surprising!  Clearly, we want to find reasons for the things that happen to us.  The less control we feel we have over our lives, the more likely we are to try to gain control through the mental gymnastics of superstitions.