Superstitions

I don't believe them, but I do them out of habit. My list:
-Kiss ceiling of car going through a yellow so you don't get pulled over
-I knock on wood during conversations with people, but not by myself
-Don't touch your elbow after you bump your funny bone. I read somewhere it's considered good luck if you don't touch it and let the pain fade. You get a wish, or something.

 

My standard line is that I have neither the time nor patience to believe in things. That said, superstitions are fascinating bits of culture. I don't remember where I first read it, but I remember reading when I was young and credulous (maybe 7 or 8 years old) that an itching nose is a sign that you are about to be kissed, cursed, vexed, or will shake hands with a fool. I don't think anything of it, but I can't help feeling a tiny bit self-conscious if I see someone scratch their nose shortly before I shake their hand.

This immediately came to mind: xkcd: Floor Tiles
I try to avoid gaps in sidewalks, not because of superstition, but because if I step on one with one foot, I feel unbalanced until I step on another with the other foot in the same place. I ran it by the psych professor at work who does counseling for students and employees and he said that and a few other things I do are compulsive behaviors but it wouldn't be considered a disorder because it doesn't disrupt or impede my life in any meaningful way.

This is good advice in general. Once you've seen a pair of needlenose pliers stab deep enough into a ceramic tile to stand upright, it's only natural to start comparing the strength of that tile to various body parts. I don't walk or work under ladders if the person standing on them is holding anything that can be dropped. I'm a bit clumsy, so when I have to run cables through walls at work, I have a coworker with steady hands who I trust to stand on the ladder while I guide the cables from below.

 

If you're playing that particular game, make sure you're up to date on your hepatitis vaccinations.